What You'll Be Doing

We're looking for an innovative Park Manager with proven experience ensuring visitors have safe and enjoyable park experiences through visitor services, historic preservation, stewardship, educational and recreational programming and park management.

Historic Yates Mill County and Crowder County Parks offer our community highly sought-after services such as outdoor recreation, cultural history and environmental education and nature viewing. As a member of our team, you’ll assist in delivering these services while regularly interacting with our community and supporting daily operations and maintenance of our facilities.

The centerpiece of the 174-acre park Historic Yates Mill County Park is the Historic Yates Mill, which is the last operable water-powered gristmill in Wake County. Historic Yates Mill dates to the 1750s, pre-dating the American Revolution and the founding of Raleigh. The grist mill officially closed for business in the 1950s and fell into disrepair. The mill was fully restored by 2000 and the park opened in 2006. Learn more about Historic Yates Mill County Park at www.wake.gov/parks/yatesmill.

Opening in 1998, a day at Crowder County Park provides a variety of educational and recreational activities for all ages. Park staff offer interpretive, hands-on programs for all ages and interests, as well as outreach programs for organized community groups. The park's 33 acres offer a closeness with nature along with the accessibility of maintained trails. The 2018 bond for Parks, Greenways, Recreation and Open Space included funds to expand Crowder County Park. Renovations and improvements slated for Crowder focus on adding new facilities, improving existing facilities and integrating the additional 96 acres acquired in July 2019. Work is expected to be complete in summer 2027. Learn more about Crowder County Park at www.wake.gov/parks/crowder.

Essential Functions:
Our Park Managers are working managers and you will:

• Provide positive, innovative and visionary leadership for Historic Yates Mill & Crowder County Parks and the Wake County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Division
• Develop and nurture positive working relationships and partnerships with NC State University, Yates Mill Associates and other external partners
• Commit to culturally competent visitor engagement, and be able to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic environment to meet the needs of all visitors
• Oversee all educational and recreational programming and maintenance planning, including collaboration with both internal and external partners
• Collaborate with Team Wake (including General Services, Communications, Human Resources, Community Services and more!) to effectively promote and manage our parks
• Lead and mentor a team of regular and temporary staff members while supporting professional development
• Oversee all operational and maintenance related functions including natural resource management
• Uphold overall park policy and procedures to ensure quality service and staff accountability
• Maintain Park budget and allocations
• Provide excellent customer service while ensuring our park facilities are welcoming, open, clean and safe for the community to enjoy
• Assist with EVERYTHING else that it takes to operate a park

This position is based at Historic Yates Mill County Park (but works frequently between the two parks).

About Our Team

Wake County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation and the most populous county in the state, with more than 1.1 million residents. The County has received national and international rankings and accolades from publications such as Money, Fortune and Time magazines as one of the best places to live, work and play - and it’s no surprise. As part of the Community Services Department, the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Division (we like to call ourselves PROS) is a talented team devoted to ensuring our parks are accessible and welcoming. Our Mission: PROS preserves open space, promotes stewardship and provides equitable and inclusive education and outdoor recreation for a diverse and growing community. PROS connects people to the things we love most - history, nature and outdoor recreation. As a member of our team, you’ll regularly interact with our community, deliver services that are highly valued by residents and support operations of our parks and facilities. We offer preservation, education and recreation opportunities across our (now!) nine parks and three nature preserves 361 days a year. Our parks have never been more popular! We serve nearly 2 million visitors annually and are actively planning and designing new facilities. Our community loves our parks and so do we! See for yourself at wake.gov/parks.

The Basics (Required Education and Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Parks, History, Parks Administration or related field
• Three years of experience in parks administration or historical sites management
• CPR certification within one year of employment
• First Aid certification within one year of employment
• Equivalent education and experience are accepted

• Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Beyond the Basics (Preferred Education and Experience)

• Five or more years of experience successfully managing and operating parks
• Experience supervising a variety of full-time/permanent personnel including experienced, beginner or entry level
• Experience engaging diverse populations in park visitation
• Experience with using a variety of technological applications
• Experience working in or with non-profit organizations
• Involvement with historical and natural resource management including aquatic environments
• Experience with event planning and coordination
• Hold a professional certification such as Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE), NC Environmental Education Certification

How Will We Know You're 'The One'?

• Ability to lead a team (located at multiple locations) and encourage crossover of skills and experience
• Thrive on watching people learn and experience
• Understand parks and have a strong interest in outdoor recreation and multi-disciplinary education (i.e. historical, cultural and environmental)
• Excellent communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with staff, colleagues, volunteers and partner organizations
• Skill as a visionary leader as you may not have all the answers but you enjoy working with others to seek solutions and reach the destination
• Ability to foster a work culture in which different ideas and opinions are encouraged and expected
• Ability to encourage others to be innovative and create and try new things
• Knowledge of diversity initiatives and ability to execute them, different backgrounds and experiences strengthen the organization and produce better results
• Ability to be resilient, adaptable and self-motivated to get the job done as efficiently as possible
• Understand that versatility and adaptability are important in any situation
• Ability to model the behavior you want to see in your team members, not being afraid to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty

About This Position

Location: A. E. Finley Education & Research Center Raleigh, NC 27610

Employment Type: Regular

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week including mornings, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays

Hiring Range: 60,244 - 102,423

Market Range: 60,244.00 - 102,423.00

Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 11/24/2024

What Makes Wake Great

Home to the State Capital, Wake County is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and the most populous county in the state, with more than 1.1 million residents. The County has received national and international rankings and accolades from publications such as Money, Fortune, and Time magazines as being one of the best places to live, work and play. The central location of the County allows for a short drive to the spectacular mountains or coast. Wake County Government is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are elected at-large to serve two-year terms. Wake County Government has a general operating budget of $1.874 billion, employs over 4400 employees, experiences minimal turnover, and is an award-winning leader in wellness and technology initiatives; such as offering employees and covered spouses free access to the Employee Health Center. Wake County Government offers a wide range of training and development opportunities, a stable career in public service with a balance of work and family life, flexible work schedules and a competitive salary and benefits package.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Background Check Statement

Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Emergency Service Worker Statement

In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.

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• Wake County Government

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