Research Associate Intern Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Cary's Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources department is seeking a creative, organized, and collaborative individual who is enthusiastic about teaching nature and working with the public to join our team as a Nature Education Senior Program Assistant! This position will play a key role in planning and implementing nature programming at the Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. In this role you will help research, current needs and program trends, collaborate with others to design programs, manage programs, and use data and feedback to improve and inform future programs. This is a part-time, non-benefited, year-round position, up to 20 hours a week, with a maximum of 999 hours per year.

Typical tasks include preparing, organizing, and supervising facilitation of program activities; developing and implementing programs for diverse groups; assisting with development of daily schedules, coordinating space, identifying resources and planning developmentally appropriate activities; researching and seeking out new program opportunities; attending workshops/trainings, classes, seminars, and lectures to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in programs; monitoring and supervising various activities in multiple spaces simultaneously; providing behavior management, adjusting as needed to mitigate issues, completing write-ups, and escalating problems to supervisor as needed; leading other part-time staff; conducting administrative tasks such as drafting purchase orders, maintaining contracts, and tracking spending, program entry and manage; documenting and submitting incident and accident reports to supervisor; researching and gathering resources for programs, maintaining inventory, and ordering supplies; ensuring participants and patrons have an exemplary customer service experience; providing program information to nature center patrons and program participants; communicating with participants, providing general updates and other pertinent information; managing participant accounts and assisting with registrations, withdrawals, and rentals; and performing other job-related tasks as required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include general knowledge of principles, practices, and objectives of related programs; general knowledge of computers and related software; general knowledge of standard office practices and procedures; ability to remain organized, multitask, and meet deadlines; ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and the public verbally and in writing; ability to plan and coordinate recreational activities and events while maintaining a close attention to detail; ability to effectively resolve any conflict; ability to acquire knowledge of Cary policies, procedures, and the services of the department.

Minimum and preferred qualifications require a combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate's degree in Parks and Recreation, Environmental Education, or a related field. Requires a minimum of 2 years of nature program experience including running and implementing nature programs. Requires First Aid/CPR certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months with provided training opportunities). Preference will be given to candidates who possess some experience planning, implementing, and/or facilitating events/programs in a park or community setting; Environmental Education Certification. Physical requirements include the ability to hear and talk in order to communicate with the public and with groups under instruction; ability to climb, walk unassisted and move about freely in order to interact with patrons; ability to lift moderately heavy items (up to 25 lbs.); visual acuity is needed to read typewritten and handwritten materials and to view a computer terminal. Conditions of employment include possession of a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record; drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, SBI fingerprinting, motor vehicle records check, education verification and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks prior to employment.

Cary ensures equal employment opportunities (EEO) are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information. Temporary, Seasonal, and Intern Employees Cary employs temporary and seasonal employees and interns who generally are scheduled to work on a short-term basis. Employees hired as a temporary or seasonal employee, or as an intern, are not eligible for the Town of Cary's full-time employee benefits package.