What You'll Be Doing
Do you want a career where your skills and passion will make a direct impact in the local community?
Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space seeks an Assistant Park Manager for Programming and Education at Lake Crabtree County Park . We're looking for someone with proven experience in program development, communications strategies and park management to join our growing team. In this frontline role, variety is the name of the game as no two days are the same. You’ll have an exciting opportunity to shape the delivery of our programs and activities as well as working closely with our maintenance staff.
Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space connects people to the things we love most – outdoor recreation, nature and history. 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. Everything you do will be focused on providing excellent customer service and an enjoyable park experience for our diverse and growing community.
Essential Functions:
As the Assistant Park Manager, you will:
Creatively manage all aspects of programming – developing, coordinating, implementing and evaluating - at Lake Crabtree County Park and Haleys Branch Trails.
Facilitate engaging experiences around recreation, environmental and cultural education for individuals and various community and school groups
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
Collaborate with our Communications Team to effectively use print, digital and social media to promote our services.
Lead and mentor a team of 3-5 regular and temporary staff members while supporting professional development
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, including opening/closing facilities, janitorial duties, maintenance and stewardship.
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 1.2 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. We offer preservation, education and recreation opportunities across our nine parks and three nature preserves (and GROWING!) 361 days a year. Our parks have never been more popular! We serve over 2 million visitors annually and plan to open additional facilities soon. Lake Crabtree County Park is Wake County’s first park (opening in 1988). Lake Crabtree’s convenient and central location, park amenities, wildlife habitats and public programming make it a top destination for nature lovers and families alike. Haleys Branch is an exciting, new, 400-acre multi-use trail system that is currently in development and will be open to the public in 2028. Our community loves our parks (and so do we!). See for yourself at www.wake.gov/parks and www.wake.gov/parks/lakecrabtree.
The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
Bachelor's degree in Parks, History, Parks Administration or related field
Two years of experience in parks management or parks supervision
Valid Driver's License and "safe" driving record
Depending on area of employment, Pesticide Applicator's License may be required after initial hire
Depending on area of employment, Playground Inspector Certification may be required after initial hire
Depending on area of employment, CPR certification may be required after initial hire
Equivalent education and experience are accepted
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Beyond the Basics (Preferred Education and Experience)
Three or more years of experience of planning and successfully implementing programs
Experience engaging diverse populations in program development
Experience supervising beginner or entry level personnel
Stewardship experience, including wildlife monitoring and habitat conservation
Experience with developing marketing materials, managing social media platforms and engaging audiences
Experience with using a variety of technological applications
Hold or in process of attaining a professional certification such as Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) or NC Environmental Education Certification
How Will We Know You're 'The One'?
Excellent communication skills.
You have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with staff, colleagues, volunteers and partner organizations.
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.
Ability to be resilient, adaptable and self-motivated to get the job done as efficiently as possible. Versatility and adaptability are important in any situation.
Ability to model the behavior you want to see in your team members. You are not afraid to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty.
Skill as a visionary leader. You may not have all the answers, but you enjoy working with others to seek solutions and reach the destination.
Knowledge and understanding of parks (including recreational programming) and have a solid interest in outdoor recreation, wildlife stewardship and education.
About This Position
Location: Lake Crabtree County Park Morrisville, NC 27560
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week including mornings, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
Hiring Range: $26.44 - $35.23
Market Range: 26.44 - 35.23
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 8/14/2026
