PROGRAM ASSISTANT I- FESTIVALS & EVENTS- TEMPORARY

Are you a creative, detail-oriented individual with a passion for social media, design, and community engagement? Do you thrive on bringing events to life through planning, marketing, and logistical coordination? If so, you might be just the right person to join Cary's Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources department as a Program Assistant I supporting our Festivals and Events team! 

In this role, you will work closely with the Festival & Events Supervisor and the Festivals and Events Program Specialist to enhance Cary's festivals and Cultural Arts through innovative marketing, social media management, design, and logistics efforts. From creating eye-catching banners and flyers to writing engaging newsletters, this position offers an exciting blend of creativity and community impact.

Cary’s flagship festivals include the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival (4th weekend in August), the Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival (Last Saturday in April), and other exciting and engaging events throughout the year. 

Work will require a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and some holidays.

This is a part-time, non-benefited, year-round position, up to 20 hours a week, with a maximum of 999 hours per year.

• Social Media & Content Creation
  • Develop, schedule, and post engaging, on trend, and relevant content on Facebook and Instagram for Cary Art Daze @caryartdaze. 
  • Collaborate with the team to develop creative campaigns that increase festival visibility and community engagement.
  • Monitor and respond to social media interactions, ensuring a positive and professional presence.
• Marketing Design 
  • Design marketing assets such as banners, templates, flyers, signage, and promotional materials for festivals.
  • Create visually appealing graphics aligned with festival branding and goals.
• Communications 
  • Write, edit, and distribute the Cary Arts in Focus newsletter, spotlighting festivals and other cultural events.
  • Contribute content for Town of Cary communication channels, ensuring alignment with overall messaging strategies.
• Event Planning & Support
  • Assist with vendor coordination, logistics planning, and venue setup for festivals.
  • Support low-waste initiative requirements for festival vendors.
  • Provide on-site support during festivals to ensure smooth operations and resolve issues.
• Evaluation & Reporting
  • Conduct post-event evaluations, gathering feedback and analytics from marketing and social media efforts.
  • Identify areas for improvement in promotional strategies.
• Other Duties
  • Perform additional tasks as assigned to support the success of festivals and events.

• Strong passion for social media, marketing, and design, with a deep appreciation for community engagement.
• Proficiency in social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram).
• Proficiency in graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills for creating newsletters and promotional content.
• Ability to remain organized, pay close attention to detail and meet deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with team members, vendors, and the public.
• Proficiency in social media management platforms (e.g. Sprout, Hootsuite) and familiarity with event management software (e.g., ZAPPlication, SignUpGenius, Salesforce) 

Education and Experience

Requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate’s degree with coursework in Parks & Recreation, Communication, Marketing, Event Management, Graphic Design or a related field.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess the following:

• Some experience in social media management/marketing
• Some experience in graphic design 

Physical Requirements  

Work in this class requires an employee to be able to hear and talk in order to communicate with the public and with groups under instruction.  An employee must be able to climb, walk unassisted and move about freely in order 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 use of a computer for extended time periods.  

Special Requirements 

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

 Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal check, education verification and credit history review) prior to employment.

Salary : $16 - $21