PARK AMBASSADOR (DOWNTOWN CARY PARK)- TEMP

Town of Cary; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Town of Cary seeks Park Ambassadors at Downtown Cary Park to greet visitors, provide information, and support Guest Services at the park desk as well as on patrols. Your friendly, helpful demeanor should help visitors feel welcome and informed.

This part-time position requires flexibility for a varied schedule, including weekends and evenings, up to 20 hours per week. You will assist with registrations, answering questions, and guiding patrons to ensure a safe, enjoyable park experience.

Qualifications

• Ability to interact with the public tactfully and constructively and provide top-notch customer service.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently.
• Effective verbal and written communication and ability to learn park policies.

Responsibilities

• Greet visitors at the Guest Services desk and assist with inquiries.
• Operate basic office tasks and update citizen accounts as needed.
• Assist with program registrations and daily deposits.
• Conduct park patrols, enforce rules, and ensure visitor safety.
• Provide tours and information about park amenities and events.
• Support with event setup, space reservations, and signage updates.

Skills

Customer service

Public interaction

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Basic computer software

Job description

Downtown Cary Park is seeking energetic and creative individuals at least 18 years of age who are enthusiastic about giving back to the community by providing exemplary customer service to visitors to Downtown Cary Park.

Park Ambassadors will work at the Guest Services desk and patrol Downtown Cary Park, serving as visitor advocates for all things in the park. As part of our citizen support team, your passion for providing exceptional customer service will contribute to our high level of visitor satisfaction. Acting as the first line of response to our park visitors, you will communicate in an open, helpful, and engaging tone and focus on finding the right solution with each visitor.

Applicants must have flexibility to work a varied schedule based on operational needs. Available shifts may include Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. or 2–8 p.m., and Sundays, 12:30–6 p.m. Candidates should have availability for a combination of these days and shifts. Additional hours may occasionally be available or required to assist with coverage during staff absences, special events, or other operational needs.

This is a part-time, non-benefit, year-round position, up to 20 hours a week, with a maximum of 999 hours per year. Weekend and evening work will be required.

Downtown Cary Park is located at 327 S. Academy Street in the heart of downtown.

Typical Tasks

When Working The Guest Services Desk

• Opens and/or closes Guest Services.
• Serves as a receptionist, answers telephone, and greets guests.
• Operates computer; computer work may be extensive.
• Maintains and updates citizen accounts.
• Sells items through Point of Service; performs basic accounting; prepares daily deposits.
• Registers citizens for Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources programs.
• Notifies patrons and instructors of cancelations, changes or updates for programs programmed by Downtown Cary Park staff and for all programs during emergency cancelations such as weather.
• Withdrawals citizens from registered programs.
• Assists with space reservation inquiries for private reservations, programs and events:
  • Check availability; show patrons the space; receive requests.
• Assists patrons with navigating the online WebTrac experience.
• Operates standard office equipment.
• Performs administrative tasks.
• Gathers and distributes mail daily.
• Checks inventory for Park branded merchandise and informs supervisor when restocking is needed.

When Patrolling The Park

• Opens and closes doors at Academy Plaza and/or Gathering House, as assigned.
• Dog Park:
  • Portable bowls: clean and fill bowls; make sure they get returned and restacked.
  • Doggie bags: ensures they are stocked
• Performs light facility and ground maintenance and custodial duties:
  • Wiping down outdoor tables and chairs.
  • Checking bathroom facilities.
  • Recycling and trash.
• Conducts routine data collection.
• Manages and updates non-digital park signage.
• Provides tours of the park.

When working the Guest Services desk, when patrolling the Park

• Engages with visitors to facilitate a positive experience.; communicates with patrons to address questions and concerns, redirecting as necessary; provides Park and Town information to citizens; assists guests in navigating the Park.
• Gets to know our regular patrons, developing relationships with them.
• Proactively identifies Park needs and suggests solutions.
• Troubleshoots problems and issues, reporting anything that is beyond his/her scope to solve.
• Assists in activating emergency action plans.
• Enforces Town of Cary and Park rules, policies, and procedures, ensuring safety, efficiency and guest satisfaction.
• Attends staff meetings.
• Performs other job-related tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of basic office equipment and computer software
• Ability to interact with the public tactfully and constructively and provide top-notch customer service
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to acquire knowledge of Downtown Cary Park and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources policies and procedures, and understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions specific to said policies and procedures

Minimum And Preferred Qualifications

Requires a combination of education or experience equivalent to a high school diploma or GED and requires a minimum of 2 years of in-person customer service experience.

Physical Requirements

Work in this class requires an employee to be able to hear and talk to communicate with the public and with groups under instruction. An employee must be able to climb, walk unassisted and move about freely to interact with patrons. Requires the 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. Work in this class is primarily clerical and may require sitting and using a computer for extended time periods. Work will take place both inside in a variety of office and parks facility settings as well as outdoor work that will take place in a variety of temperatures and weather conditions. An employee must be able to walk unassisted to move about the park freely and perform park patrols.

Conditions Of Employment

Requires possession of a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Requires 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.