Nonprofit
Community Green Spaces Fellow
Details
Description
NOTE TO APPLICANTS: City Blossoms will only consider candidates for up to two fellowship positions maximum. To be considered for multiple fellowship positions, candidates should submit separate applications (resume and short essay responses) for each position they would like to be considered for through the Idealist portal. Please do not use AI assistants during the application process, including but not limited to, essay responses or other written content. You are more likely to be chosen for an interview if you answer in your own words.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting in the first week in January. We will respond to all applicants by the end of January. The deadline to apply is January 11, 2026 11:59pm.
CITY BLOSSOMS FELLOW - YOUTH GARDEN FOCUS
REPORTS TO: Community Green Spaces Program Manager
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt, Part-time
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
City Blossoms is a nonprofit that cultivates the well-being of our communities through creative programming in kid-driven gardens. We envision cities with abundant, accessible green space where communities thrive and children build lifelong connections to the natural world. Applying our unique brand of gardens, science, art, healthy living, and community building, we "blossom" in neighborhoods where kids, their families, and neighbors may not otherwise have access to green spaces.
ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
City Blossoms strives to create a work environment and programs based on our values:
- EQUITY. Strive to ensure access and inclusion for all
- DIVERSITY. Celebrate everyone's strengths and experiences
- RESPECT. Nurture compassion and consideration for all living things
- COLLABORATION. Enhance our impact by joining together
- CREATIVITY. Cultivate open-mindedness and experimentation
All City Blossoms programming aligns with our mission and strategic plan. City Blossoms staff work as a team to embody the values of the organization to carry out all aspects of our work.
OVERVIEW OF THE COMMUNITY GREEN SPACES PROGRAM
The Community Green Spaces (CGS) program aims to foster an environment where participants of all ages but primarily children and youth from dense urban settings, can access and develop relationships with nature, food, and each other through garden-, nature- and art-based education and activities. This program works directly with neighborhood residents, community partners, and some government agencies to provide independent and semi-independent safe green spaces managed by City Blossoms. The CGS team facilitates a variety of programming out of these spaces; including Open Time (weekly after-school drop in program), Field Trips (structured sessions with schools and other community organizations), and Garden Work Days (community garden maintenance days) alongside community events and professional trainings. This programming is free and runs from April-November.
POSITION SUMMARY
City Blossoms’ fellowships are designed to support the professional development of young leaders interested in community and youth engagement, non-profit management, outdoor education, and/or environmental and food justice. Fellows work side-by-side with the City Blossoms team, receive training and coaching, and are provided the opportunities to lead their own projects within program areas.
The City Blossoms Fellow - Youth Garden Focus provides critical support to City Blossoms’ Community Green Spaces Program.. The Fellow is responsible for assisting CGS program development and implementation based on guidance from City Blossoms’ Strategic Plan, the CGS Team and the Deputy Director. Program assistance includes but is not limited to co-leading Open Times, field trips, volunteer-driven garden work days, regular garden maintenance, co-managing large garden projects such as implementing art and signage installation, and fostering community partnerships.
To support and facilitate the Community Green Spaces program, the Fellow will collaborate with a team of City Blossoms staff, other Fellows, volunteers, and high school youth staff. The Fellow will receive mentorship, coaching, and professional development to cultivate their professional skills and guide them in their career path and next steps after the Fellowship.
The position is 20 hours per week beginning February 17, 2026 and ending November 14, 2026.
The Fellow must be able to:
- Work in-person at the City Blossoms Studio, travel to School Garden Partner sites, Early Growers sites, and Community Green Spaces across Washington DC (locations found on our website). Travel reimbursement will be offered for travel to and from the Studio to partner sites.
- Have flexibility to work between the hours 9:30am and 6:30pm Tuesday through Saturday. This position has a specific need for availability 10am-6pm Tuesday and 2 additional afternoons Wednesday-Friday between 2-6pm. Additionally, availability to support 6 Saturday mornings during the summer. City Blossoms will work with Fellow to ensure their weekly schedule is as consistent as possible.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES
1- Program Administration
- Have an understanding of the program’s goals, objectives, target groups, and approaches;
- Work with Program Manager to drive program progress, ensure engagement, and overcome any implementation obstacles that the program may encounter;
- Follow quarterly program-specific work plans;
- Maintain close communication with City Blossoms staff and partners to support successful program implementation;
- Participate in programming meetings to support planning and implementation;
- Ensure accurate and timely reporting (written and verbal) to staff on project processes;
- Support accurate and timely data collection and input into evaluation trackers.
2- Program Support
- Co-lead Open Times with another City Blossoms staff member at multiple Community Green Spaces throughout the week. This includes guiding children, youth, and volunteers in garden maintenance, garden-based activities, nature play, art, and more;
- Co-lead field trips at City Blossoms Community Green Spaces;
- Support in the management of Community Green Spaces;
- Support with regular garden maintenance in all weather conditions;
- Prepare garden signage and art installations in collaboration with all programs;
- Support during garden build workdays.
3- Representation, Networking, and Collaboration
- Maintain good working relationships with team members, partners, and implementing organizations;
- Provide City Blossoms with photos and material for social media, website, newsletters, and email correspondences.
- Communicate with team members around upcoming events and collaborations;
- Represent City Blossoms in relevant forums and develop/maintain relationships with implementing partners and other stakeholders.
Other tasks in line with the essential functions/responsibilities mentioned above may be required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
- High School Certificate or equivalent;
- Experience working with youth preferred;
- Experience in landscaping, farming, or gardening preferred;
- Experience working in diverse settings, on community-based initiatives, and directly with community members;
- Passion for City Blossoms’ mission.
Requirements
- Successful completion of background checks including DC and FBI;
- Submission of a COVID-19 proof of vaccination.
Skills
- Spanish and/or Amharic language proficiency preferred but not required;
- Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines;
- At home working in a collaborative, fast-paced professional setting;
- Strong active listening, verbal and written communication skills;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and Google applications;
- Strong problem-solving skills;
- High attention to detail and self-starter mentality;
- Preference for a highly collaborative and creative work environment;
- Comfortable with moving items up to 20 lbs.
Benefits
Benefits include:
- Employer coverage of health (75%), dental (100%), and vision (100%).
- 64 hours of paid time off, 56 hours of paid sick leave, 24 hours of bereavement leave.
- $250 professional development stipend.
- Travel benefits including: public transit, capital bikeshare, and mileage reimbursement.
Location
Apply to This Internship
NOTE TO APPLICANT: City Blossoms will only consider candidates for up to two fellowship positions maximum. To be considered for multiple fellowship positions, candidates should submit separate applications (resume and short essay responses) for each position they would like to be considered for through the Idealist portal. Please do not use AI assistants during the application process, including but not limited to, essay responses or other written content. You are more likely to be chosen for an interview if you answer in your own words.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting in the first week in January. We will respond to all applicants by the end of January. The deadline to apply is January 11, 2026 11:59pm.
To apply, please submit both a resume and a document with responses to the following prompts (Minimum 500 words Maximum 800 words total):
- What about the Fellow role interests you? What do you hope to gain from this position?
- Explain your interest and experience working in gardens and/or with children and youth.
- City Blossoms works with diverse communities throughout the District. Please explain your connections to or roots in the communities of Washington, DC, and your interest in working with DC communities.
- (Optional) If there is a creative way you use to express yourself, feel free to respond to any of these questions that way in addition to your written response. Please limit this creative response to one page single spaced, or a maximum of 2 minutes if audio/video.
- If you are applying for two positions, you must rank which role you want to be considered for first. For example: 1. Community Green Spaces Fellow, 2.Early Growers Fellow. If you are only applying for one position, please put “N/A.”
