Community Recreation Programmer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Job Description The Raleigh Parks Health & Wellness Program Area is seeking a self-motivated, reliable, adaptable, and community-oriented individual to provide hands-on and administrative support for community gardens and other health and wellness programs, activities, events, and initiatives. This position will support the Community Gardens Coordinator and Health & Wellness Program staff with garden maintenance, volunteer coordination, community programming, program preparation, participant engagement, data collection, event implementation, and other day-to-day program needs. The selected candidate will work collaboratively with community center staff, instructors, volunteers, gardeners, interns, community partners, program participants, and other Raleigh Parks staff.

This position provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in: Community gardening and horticulture Health and wellness programming Volunteer and participant engagement Community-based food production and food access Program and event implementation Environmental and wellness education Data collection and program evaluation Parks and recreation services The position will include a combination of outdoor, hands-on garden work; community-based program and event support; and limited administrative responsibilities. Duties may vary based on seasonal priorities and program needs. Regular travel between Raleigh Parks facilities, garden sites, and community events will be required.

Duties and Responsibilities Community Garden Support Provide hands-on maintenance and general upkeep at Raleigh Parks community garden sites, including planting, watering, weeding, mulching, bed preparation, harvesting, and general garden care. Assist with planning, preparing, and implementing seasonal garden activities and special projects. Support the development and maintenance of City-owned demonstration and production beds, including crop selection, planting, routine care, harvesting, and seasonal transitions.

Assist with the community garden rental program by preparing beds, supporting gardener onboarding, monitoring shared garden areas, and helping gardeners understand program expectations. Provide basic horticultural guidance and respond to routine questions from gardeners, volunteers, and community members. Help plan, coordinate, and facilitate garden workdays, volunteer events, educational workshops, harvest activities, and other garden-related programs.

Assist with weekly harvest activities, including harvesting, weighing or documenting produce, preparing produce for donation, and maintaining harvest records. Identify and report irrigation, pest, plant health, infrastructure, maintenance, accessibility, and safety concerns. Maintain an organized inventory of garden tools, equipment, supplies, and materials and communicate supply needs to the Community Gardens Coordinator.

Health and Wellness Program Support Assist with the planning, preparation, setup, implementation, and breakdown of health and wellness programs, classes, workshops, special events, outreach activities, and community initiatives. Prepare, organize, transport, and distribute program materials, equipment, supplies, educational resources, participant packets, and promotional items. Welcome participants, assist with registration or check-in, provide general program information, and help create a positive participant experience.

Support health promotion, nutrition education, physical activity, chronic disease prevention, mental well-being, food access, and other community wellness initiatives. Assist instructors, facilitators, interns, volunteers, community partners, and staff during programs and events. Conduct routine outreach and help share information about available programs, services, volunteer opportunities, and community resources.

Assist with monitoring program spaces, equipment, and supplies and report maintenance, operational, accessibility, or safety concerns. Provide logistical support for meetings, trainings, community engagement activities, and special projects. Help ensure programs and activities are welcoming, organized, accessible, and prepared for participants of varying ages, abilities, backgrounds, and experience levels.

Volunteer and Community Engagement Assist with volunteer recruitment, communication, orientation, coordination, and engagement for garden projects, wellness programs, and community events. Provide volunteers with clear directions, appropriate assignments, materials, and support. Work collaboratively with community organizations, schools, nonprofits, health organizations, food access partners, instructors, and other community groups.

Communicate effectively and professionally with gardeners, volunteers, participants, instructors, community center staff, Parks staff, and community partners. Promote a welcoming, inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for all participants. Program Documentation and Administrative Support Track and document volunteer participation, volunteer hours, program attendance, garden activities, harvest quantities, participant engagement, and other required program information.

Maintain accurate records of personal work hours, program activities, supply use, and assigned responsibilities. Assist with collecting participant feedback, observations, photographs, testimonials, and other information used to document and evaluate programs. Enter, organize, and review basic program data using spreadsheets, forms, databases, or other approved systems.

Assist with preparing program materials, sign-in sheets, evaluation forms, resource packets, inventories, schedules, and routine communications. Help organize shared program files, supplies, storage areas, equipment, and educational resources. Follow City policies and procedures related to participant information, photography, safety, and recordkeeping.

Provide routine status updates and communicate program needs, concerns, or incomplete assignments to the appropriate supervisor. Perform other duties as assigned by the Community Gardens Coordinator, Health & Wellness Program Director, or appropriate Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources supervisor. Minimum Requirements At least one year of experience in gardening, horticulture, landscaping, parks and recreation, community health, fitness, nutrition, environmental education, volunteer coordination, event support, community programming, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Ability and willingness to perform physical outdoor work, including bending, kneeling, digging, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, and moving garden materials and program equipment. Ability to assist with the setup, breakdown, and movement of tables, chairs, equipment, supplies, and program materials. Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with staff, volunteers, gardeners, instructors, participants, and community partners.

Strong communication, interpersonal, and customer-service skills. Demonstrated reliability, initiative, adaptability, good judgment, and follow-through. Ability to organize tasks, manage time, and respond appropriately to changing program priorities.

Ability to maintain accurate records and complete basic data collection and reporting. Ability to use email, online forms, spreadsheets, and other basic workplace technology. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends based on scheduled programs, garden activities, and community events.

Ability to travel between Raleigh Parks sites and program locations. Commitment to safety, inclusion, environmental stewardship, health promotion, and positive community engagement. Preferred Experience Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred: Community gardening or urban agriculture Horticulture, agriculture, landscaping, or seasonal crop production Vegetable, herb, flower, pollinator, or native plant gardening Sustainable or ecological gardening practices Health, wellness, nutrition, fitness, or recreation programming Community outreach and participant engagement Volunteer recruitment, coordination, or supervision Youth, adult, older adult, or intergenerational programming Educational workshops, classes, or special events Food access, produce donation, or community food systems Chronic disease prevention or community health promotion Parks, recreation, public gardens, nonprofit, or municipal programming Irrigation systems and basic garden infrastructure Garden tools, program equipment, and supply inventory Data collection, recordkeeping, or program evaluation Working with diverse communities and individuals of varying ages and abilities Examples of Work Activities Depending on seasonal and program needs, this position may assist with: Assisting with preparing, planting, and maintaining City-owned garden beds Assisting with rental beds and supporting gardener onboarding Coordinating garden workdays and weekly harvest activities Harvesting, weighing, documenting, and preparing produce for donation Supporting nutrition, fitness, mental well-being, chronic disease prevention, and health education programs Setting up and breaking down classes, workshops, outreach activities, and special events Preparing participant packets, educational materials, signage, and supplies Supporting participant registration, check-in, and evaluation activities Assisting instructors, facilitators, community partners, and volunteers Recording attendance, volunteer hours, harvests, and program participation Collecting participant feedback and documenting program activities Photographing programs and garden projects in accordance with City procedures Organizing tools, program equipment, supplies, and storage areas Conducting basic community outreach and distributing program information Identifying and reporting garden, facility, equipment, maintenance, accessibility, or safety concerns Supporting community partnerships and special Health & Wellness projects Typical Qualifications The ideal candidate will demonstrate: A strong interest in connecting people with opportunities that support health, well-being, food access, gardening, and the environment.

Practical knowledge of basic gardening or horticultural practices. An interest in community health, wellness education, physical activity, nutrition, or recreation programming. The ability to recognize routine garden, program, equipment, and facility needs and take appropriate initiative.

Comfort working both outdoors and indoors in a variety of community settings. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. A willingness to learn new programs, procedures, technology, and subject areas.

Confidence interacting with volunteers, gardeners, instructors, community members, and program participants. The ability to collect, organize, and accurately report program information. A collaborative and flexible approach to working with City staff and community partners.

A commitment to helping create programs and community spaces that are welcoming, accessible, productive, safe, and well-maintained. Additional Information ADA and Other Requirements: This position requires work in both indoor and outdoor environments, including community gardens, parks, community centers, fitness and wellness spaces, administrative offices, and special-event locations. Outdoor work may involve exposure to heat, cold, sun, rain, humidity, insects, pollen, soil, plants, uneven terrain, and common garden tools and equipment.

Indoor and event-based work may involve standing or walking for extended periods, interacting with the public, and setting up or moving program materials and equipment. The employee must be able to safely perform routine gardening and program-support activities, including bending, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, and moving supplies and equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

Note: This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions, and responsibilities, as well as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation, may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.