Open Space and Preserves/Park Manager

Do you want a career where your skills and passion will make a direct impact in the local community and in natural resource conservation? We’re looking for an innovative Park Manager with proven experience to coordinate and implement a wide variety of land management and stewardship functions at a high standard. 

This is a unique opportunity to manage three nature preserves near Wendell, NC and over 9,800 acres of open space properties across Wake County. The selected candidate will provide a safe and enjoyable visitor experience through coordinating and implementing a variety of natural resource, maintenance, education, stewardship and operation functions at the Wake County nature preserves. The three nature preserves are open space properties opened for public enjoyment. The preserves are minimally developed with gravel roads and parking lots, picnic tables and ADA accessible trails.

Robertson Millpond Preserve, opened in 2015, is an 85-acre preserve featuring a one-mile paddling trail with both grassy and ADA dock launch sites, picnic tables, historic landmark with educational panels, and a 0.25 mile walking path / boardwalk with fishing access and nature educational panels. Learn more about Robertson Millpond Preserve at www.wake.gov/parks/robertsonmillpond.

Turnipseed Nature Preserve, opened in 2018, is a 265-acre preserve with 5 miles of walking trails through a variety of unique habitats, picnic tables, open grassy playfield, wildlife viewing platform with binoculars and a picturesque pedestrian bridge over a floodplain with benches. Learn more about Turnipseed Nature Preserve at www.wake.gov/parks/turnipseed. 

Sandy Pines Preserve, opened in 2021 and at 563 acres, is the largest single tract of land owned by Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space with 6.5 miles of walking and equestrian trails, pull-through trailer parking, mounting blocks and picnic tables. Learn more about Sandy Pines Preserve www.wake.gov/parks/sandypines.

Learn more about the Open Space & Greenways program at https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/parks-recreation-open-space/open-space-greenways.

Essential Functions:

• Provide positive, innovative and visionary leadership for the three nature preserves, open space management and the Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Division
• Develop and nurture positive working relationships and partnerships with internal and 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, 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 policies and procedures to ensure quality service and staff accountability
• Maintain Park budget and allocations
• Provide excellent customer service while ensuring our facilities are welcoming, open, clean and safe for the community to enjoy
• Assist with EVERYTHING else that it takes to operate a preserve and manage open space properties

This position is based at the Wake County Ag Services Building (4001 Carya Drive, Raleigh) (but works frequently throughout the County). Note: Future office may be in eastern Wake County. Wake County fleet vehicles are provided for work in preserves and open space.

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 and preserves 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, preserves and/or open space

• Experience supervising a variety of full-time/permanent personnel including experienced, beginner or entry level
• Experience engaging diverse populations in park visitation
• Experience in one or more of the following: species survey and management, agricultural lease management, easement monitoring, historic / cultural resource management and prescribed fire
• 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 educational program planning and coordination
• Experience with park operations and maintenance
• 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 (working at multiple locations) and encourage crossover of skills and experience

• Ability to thrive on watching people learn and experience
• Knowledge of parks and have a strong interest in outdoor recreation and multi-disciplinary education (i.e. historical, cultural and environmental)
• Possess excellent communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with staff, colleagues, volunteers and partner organizations
• Skilled visionary leader, 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, believe that 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, understanding that versatility and adaptability are important in any situation
• Ability to model the behavior you want to see in your team members, not afraid to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty

About This Position

Location: WCOB 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 1/19/2025