Community Green Spaces Fellow

CITY BLOSSOMS COMMUNITY GREEN SPACES FELLOW

REPORTS TO: Director of Programming + Trainings 

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW 

City Blossoms is a nonprofit dedicated to fostering healthy communities by developing creative, kid-driven green spaces. Washington DC is our home base where we test and innovate new resources, approaches, and techniques for designing and implementing urban gardens that are communal, educational, artistic expressions of their communities. 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.

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, particularly from dense urban settings, can have access to 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, other organizations, and some government agencies to provide independent and semi-independent safe green spaces managed by City Blossoms. Out of these green spaces we hold Open Times (free weekly after-school drop-in hours) when we offer different garden and art-based activities. We also host school field trips, organizational partnerships, and training at our CGS sites. CGS core programming runs approximately April through November.

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 the mission and values of the organization, is designed to reflect participating communities, is flexible enough to be site-specific, and makes cultural connections wherever possible. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The City Blossoms Community Green Spaces Fellow is responsible for assisting in program development and implementation based on guidance from the City Blossoms Strategic Plan, the CGS Coordinator, and the Director of Programming. Program assistance includes but is not limited to co-leading Open Times, field trips with school and early childhood partners, garden workdays, developing lesson and activity plans, collecting and uploading data, garden maintenance, supporting management of interns, and fostering community partnerships.

The Fellow will collaborate with a team of staff, interns, other fellows, volunteers, and high school youth staff involved in running the Community Green Spaces program. 

The position is 20 hours per week beginning March 1, 2021 and ending November 1, 2021. 

The Fellow must be able to: 

• Regularly travel to two or three Community Green Spaces throughout Washington, DC (locations found on our website), as well as complete some hours of online administrative work completed from home each week; 
• Transport themselves to the City Blossoms CGS sites, and have access to reliable internet and a computer at home; 
• Work a Monday through Friday schedule beginning March 1, with the possibility of switching to a Tuesday through Saturday schedule September 1 - November 1, 2021;
• Work between 8:30am and 6:30pm.

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 programmatic workplans; 
• Potentially assist in the support of an Intern;
• 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 with another City Blossoms staff member Open Times at multiple Community Green Spaces throughout the week; guide children, youth, and volunteers in garden maintenance, garden-based activities, nature play, art, and more;
• Lead field trips at City Blossoms Community Green Spaces;
• Support in the management of Community Green Spaces;
• Support during garden build workdays.

3- Representation, Networking, and Collaboration 

• Maintain good working relationships with team members, partners, and implementing organizations; 
• 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; 
• Successful completion of Tuberculosis test.

Skills

• At home working in a collaborative, fast-paced professional setting;
• Spanish and/or Amharic language proficiency preferred but not required;
• 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 physical tasks, including lifting 20 pounds.