Walnut Creek Wetland Park, Manager

The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department is seeking an individual to join the Natural Resources Section to serve as the Walnut Creek Wetland Park Manager in Southeast Raleigh, North Carolina. This position is directly responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the operations and activities of Walnut Creek Wetland Park, a 58-acre site that is home to the Norman and Betty Camp Education Center which includes classrooms, a nature center, and nature trails. The park sits at the junction of the Walnut Creek and Little Rock Creek greenway trails.  The Park Manager will work collaboratively with the other Preserves, Parks, and Programs across the Natural Resource Section.
 
The Natural Resources Section is devoted to connecting people and nature through experiences, conservation, and education and is comprised of 2 Teams, Nature Preserves and Programs and Outdoor Recreation. Walnut Creek is within Nature Preserves and Programs which also includes Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve, Durant Nature Preserve, Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve, and the Section’s Nature Program Area. Outdoor Recreation sites include Forest Ridge Park, Lake Johnson Park, and Lake Wheeler Park.
 
Diverse views and experiences make us strong. We look for candidates with both experience and skills who work well in teams, innovate in a rapidly changing world, and believe in inclusion and diversity. Working for The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resource Department and the Natural Resources Section will allow you to make a positive impact in our community as you help shape future generations, growing your career while earning a competitive salary and great benefits.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising both full-time and part-time staff, including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and implementing hiring, discipline, and termination procedures.  
• Oversee business processes such as payroll entry, procurement reconciliation, mileage reimbursement submission and the development and management of assigned budget.
• Oversee the development and evaluation of all environmental education activities and programming for Walnut Creek, including training and mentoring others in developing, teaching, and evaluating EE programming, to ensure they are in line with best practices for the professional field of Environmental Education, contributes to and support of educational programming across team/section, and meet the changing needs of the community.
• Foster partnerships with the community, local schools, universities, and organizations/agencies.
• Oversee facility use and rentals; review rental policies and processes for revisions, balance the need between programmatic, operational, and rental use.
• Participate in and contribute to the planning and implementation of natural resource management initiatives; reviews and makes recommendations that ensures management plans are in alignment with program, facility, operational goals as well as Park Master Plans, objectives, and initiatives; ensures program and services adhere to management plans.
• Participate and assist in the implementation of the Site Master Plan: participate in master planning, landscape, or other design processes; evaluate plans, proposals and/or construction drawings.
• Review site operations and policies and ensure adherence with applicable goals, objectives, standards, and regulations.
• Collaborate with vendors and/or other divisions within the department to coordinate custodial care and maintenance of facilities.
• Plan, evaluate, and coordinate emergency response efforts and risk management related to assigned areas.
• Help conduct public relations and promotions for the sites in coordination with the Department’s Marketing team and others across the department, including community engagement and stakeholder meetings.
• Coordinate the development, fabrication, and installation of all interpretive and directional signage.
• Support and foster collaboration, provide updates to policies and procedures, and support strategic planning. 

 Other duties included but not limited to:

• Assist the City in cleanup and repair during inclement weather situations.
• Other duties as assigned.

 Typical Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, environmental education, forestry, urban forestry or field directly related to assignment and five years of professional experience directly related to assignment.

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Licensing/Certifications
Depending on assignment, some positions may require:

Valid North Carolina Class C Drive's License with a satisfactory driving record, or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
CPR/First Aid certification is required upon hire and training will be provided by the City of Raleigh as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in team leadership, strategic planning, and fostering positive work culture.
• Experience developing environmental education programs and applying teaching methods appropriate for the audience.
• Experience working in or managing public green space and/or nature center.
• Knowledge of and skills in supervisory practices and techniques.

Additional Information

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge and skills in project and program management.
• Working knowledge of database software, spreadsheet software and word processing software.
• Knowledge of best practices in environmental education and interpretation.
• Practical experience in natural resource management.
• Evidence of exceptional collaborations, partnerships, and marketing with community agencies and groups.
• Experience working in diverse collaborative settings.

Skill in:

• Strong written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to establish solid partnerships and to find innovative ways to attract new audiences.
• Technological literacy necessary for communication and program management and ability to learn City of Raleigh financial systems software.

Additional Information:

• A commitment to customer service.
• A commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA).
• A strong commitment to community.
• Willingness to work irregular hours including some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work in an outdoor environment in various weather conditions. 

ADA and Other Requirements:
Positions in this class typically require stooping, kneeling, crouching, standing, walking, typing, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
 
See full posting for additional details.

How to apply:

Go to Walnut Creek Wetland Park Manager Position 

Application Instructions:
Please apply online by October 4, 2022 at 11:59 PM (EST) and attach:

• Cover letter that describes how your experience and qualifications have prepared you for this position
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Any additional certifications or trainings applicable to the position