This Is What I Do: People Serving People

“This Is What I Do” is a video series created to highlight some of the unsung heroes who keep our City running. Every day, thousands of City of Raleigh employees are working behind the scenes in critical functions that serve our community.

This video series is an opportunity to meet some of them and to learn about what they do.

This is What I Do! Inspect electrical systems to ensure safety

Tanya Orr joined the City after working as an electrician in NYC for more than 25 years. As the City's first female trade inspector, she is eager to spread the word about what a great profession this is for everyone!

This is What I Do: Work with partners to create more affordable housing options

As Public/Private Partnerships Coordinator, C.J. Valenzuela works with developers, architects, lenders, City Council, and many more to ensure that all the pieces of the affordable housing puzzle come together. The result? More affordable housing options for our residents!

This is What I Do: Host programs and events that foster connections

Tierney and her team want every person in Raleigh to feel welcome and connected to the abundant resources available to them. She enjoys teaching English language and sewing classes, and hosting special events like Children's Day.

This is What I Do: Maintain and service a wide range of equipment and vehicles

Sean Warchol is a Double ASE Master Technician and is a lead technician at one of the City's vehicle maintenance facilities. What he loves most about his job is the challenge of taking things apart and putting them back together, and the excellent work/life balance.

This is What I Do: Lead Area Youth in Serving the Community and Bridging the Digital Divide

Meet Yanira Campos, Raleigh's Digital Inclusion Program Manager. Under her guidance, teens in grades 9-12 learn leadership skills and serve the community by helping those with limited access to technology.

This is What I Do: Work behind the scenes to ensure a great experience for all!

As production manager at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Dave McManus strives for every patron to have a wonderful experience. He makes sure that everyone involved in making an event happen has what they need to be successful. Watch the video to hear more from Dave!

This is What I Do: Wrangle data, create mapping tools, and test drive new technology

Meet Mary Smith, a Senior GIS Analyst in our Information Technology Department. Mary loves her job because she gets to be a programmer one day, a map maker the next, and a web developer later that week. Her work is behind the scenes of many critical aspects of City governance.

This is What I Do: Senior Officer John Hood, RPD Mounted Unit

Meet Senior Officer John Hood of the Raleigh Police Department’s mounted unit. Officer Hood has been with the RPD for more than 24 years and absolutely loves patrolling on horseback.

This is What I Do: Dispatching 911 Calls to Police, Fire, and EMS

If you've ever had to dial 911, then you know that every second counts. Meet Tracy LaCascia, a Senior Telecommunicator and training officer. She and her team work around the clock to make sure callers get the help they need.

This is What I Do: Manage Raleigh Parks Greenhouses

Meet John Emerson with Raleigh Parks. John and his team provide all of the beautiful plants, trees, and shrubs that help create peaceful places inside our City parks.

This Is What I Do: Dead Animal Pickup

Meet Sherman Dunn with Solid Waste Services. He’s been with the City of Raleigh for 27 years, performing a critical job that most of us don’t even want to think about! He collects and disposes of dead animals along the roadway, helping to keep our community safe and clean.

This is What I Do: Keep Your Drinking Water Safe

The first episode of "This Is What I Do" features Raleigh Water Lab Supervisor, Martesa Web. Ms. Web has worked for the City of Raleigh for 24 years. She and her team keep safe drinking water flowing to approximately 600,000 people every single day.

This is What I Do: Keep Downtown Raleigh Clean

Rain or shine, extreme heat or extreme cold, Team Downtown Raleigh is hard at work keeping downtown clean. Meet Jose Nieves, an original member of this group of ambassadors for the City of Raleigh.Show less

This is What I Do: New Home Inspections

With unprecedented growth in Raleigh, new home inspectors with Planning & Development are kept very busy! Meet John Williams, one of 13 inspectors with Planning & Development who focus on new home and home renovation inspections.

This is What I Do: Roadway Design and Construction

Meet Scott Therrien, an engineering specialist with the City of Raleigh. He makes sure contractors working on road, sidewalk, and greenway projects meet City, State and Federal standards.