Health & Wellness Seasonal Program Assistant

Raleigh Parks Health & Wellness Program

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…