Range Master

Positions assigned to this class serve as overall range safety officer and oversee the police department’s firing range. Conducts training for officers and detention personnel. Serves as the primary administrator of all firearm range facilities and equipment. Sustains all firearms and related firearms equipment under the direction of a sworn police sergeant.The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification. While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the city's needs.

• Manage and oversee the safe operation of the police department firearms range, including establishing and enforcing range safety procedures, controlling range activities, and ensuring compliance with department policies and applicable safety standards.
• Plan, develop, coordinate, and administer firearms training and qualification programs for sworn personnel, recruits, and other authorized personnel in accordance with department requirements and applicable AZPOST standards.
• Serve as the department's lead firearms instructor and subject-matter expert, providing instruction in firearm safety, handling, marksmanship, weapon systems, judgment-based shooting, and other firearms-related skills.
• Coordinate and schedule training, maintain consistency in instructional practices; evaluate training needs, and ensure all sworn, recruits, and detention personnel remain current with required certifications and techniques.
• Develop and maintain firearms training curriculum, lesson plans, qualification courses, and range procedures, periodically reviewing and updating programs based on operational needs, changes in equipment, training standards, and industry best practices.
• Maintain accurate training, qualification, certification, and firearms-related records, document employee performance, remedial training, equipment issuance, inspections, and other information required by department policy or regulatory standards.
• Oversee the inspection, maintenance, inventory, and accountability of department firearms, ammunition, range equipment, and related supplies, and coordinates repair or replacement of equipment as necessary.
• Evaluate employee firearms proficiency and provide remedial training when necessary, identify performance deficiencies, develop appropriate corrective training, document results, and communicate significant concerns to appropriate supervisory personnel.
• Assist with the evaluation, testing, and selection of firearms, ammunition, optics, holsters, protective equipment, and other weapons-related equipment; make recommendations based on safety, reliability, operational effectiveness, and department needs.
• Monitor firearms training practices, legal developments, equipment advancements, and industry standards and recommend changes to department policies, procedures, equipment, or training programs to promote officer safety, proficiency, and operational readiness.
• Maintain required logs, forms, reports, and documentation related to range operations, firearms training, qualifications, equipment, ammunition usage, inspections, and other program activities; ensure records are accurate, complete, current, and maintained in accordance with department policies and applicable recordkeeping requirements.
• Support the City’s policies, goals and objectives and work with management and other staff to ethically achieve such goals and objectives; ensure compliance with safety procedures.

Education and Experience
Must possess High School Diploma or GED, and four (4) years paid full-time law enforcement experience, including at least two (2) years of experience as a firearms instructor, range instructor, or in a closely related firearms training capacity. Must possess an Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) recognized firearms instructor certification, AZPOST approved rifle instructor certification; or any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the knowledge, skill, and abilities necessary to perform the job functions.

Must have armorer level certifications for Glock, AR15, Remington 870 shotgun, 40mm launcher and pepper ball platform, or obtain these certifications within twelve (12) months of hire.Knowledge

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, department policies, and industry standards related to firearms training and range operations.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of firearms instruction, firearms safety, and range operations.
• Proper use, care, maintenance, inspection, and safe handling of firearms, ammunition, and related equipment.
• Firearms qualification standards, training requirements, and instructional techniques applicable to law enforcement personnel.
• Range safety procedures, emergency response protocols, and methods for identifying and correcting unsafe conditions or practices.
• Recordkeeping and documentation practices related to firearms training, qualifications, equipment, ammunition, inspections, and range activities.
• Current trends, practices, technology, and equipment related to law enforcement firearms and tactical training.

Skills

• Safely handling, operating, inspecting, and demonstrating department-authorized firearms and related equipment.
• Instructing and evaluating individuals with varying levels of firearms experience and proficiency.
• Developing and conducting firearms training, qualification courses, remedial training, and scenario-based exercises.
• Identifying firearms performance deficiencies and providing effective coaching and corrective instruction.
• Exercising sound judgment and maintaining control of training activities in a high-risk environment.
• Maintaining accurate logs, forms, training records, reports, inventories, and other program documentation.
• Inspecting firearms and range equipment and identifying maintenance, repair, or replacement needs.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Pre-employment Requirements
Work is performed in a standard office or shooting range environment that includes exposure to a variety of firearms, related chemicals, ammunition, explosive materials, and extreme noise of firearms. May be required to perform duties outdoors in extreme heat and or cold weather temperatures. May require frequent climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
Work is performed in a standard office or shooting range environment that includes exposure to a variety of firearms, related chemicals, ammunition, explosive materials, and extreme noise of firearms. May be required to perform duties outdoors in extreme heat and or cold weather temperatures. May require frequent climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

May be required to perform a full range of motion with lifting and/or carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds. Sufficient manual dexterity which permits the employee to use a firearm safely and effectively, write reports, utilize equipment required for the performance of duties.