Garden Stewards Assistant

The Arboretum Foundation's mission is to create and strengthen an engaged community of donors, volunteers, and advocates who will promote, protect, and enhance the Washington Park Arboretum for current and future generations.

The Garden Stewards Assistant supports weekly volunteer work sessions in the Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, coordinating small groups of volunteers on weeding and landscape stewardship projects across the Arboretum.

This is a short-term, part-time position averaging 15 hours per week and running from March through October. The schedule is consistent on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, with optional additional hours for special events scheduled in advance.

This role is well suited for individuals balancing school, caregiving, seasonal work, or another part-time role, and for those seeking hands-on experience in public garden stewardship.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Volunteer Support

• Coordinate and support Garden Stewards volunteer work sessions, including orientation, scheduling, and ongoing communication using email and the volunteer management system.
• Serve as the primary liaison with University of Washington Botanic Gardens staff and City of Seattle Parks and Recreation to confirm worksites, meeting locations, and on-site leadership.
• Work alongside volunteers during Garden Stewards sessions to foster a safe, welcoming, and engaged working environment.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with individual volunteers and support their ongoing participation.
• Complete routine administrative tasks including updating volunteer materials, tracking and entering volunteer hours, and responding to program-related emails.
• Support program visibility and operations by assisting with volunteer recruitment, communications alignment, and participation in organization-wide events.

Other Key Responsibilities

• Take photos and support the Communications team in promoting the Garden Stewards through social media, newsletters, and e-blasts.
• Manage the use and care of tools and equipment used during Garden Stewards work sessions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills & Strengths We’re Looking For

• Comfortable learning and using basic digital tools such as email, calendars, and databases. Experience with volunteer management systems is helpful but not required. Training will be provided.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and work effectively and professionally with volunteers, staff, Board and committee members, and the public.
• Able to adapt to changing priorities and take initiative while staying aligned with program goals and team needs Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking communication skills.
• The ability to prioritize and organize multiple projects, make informed decisions in the moment, meet deadlines, problem-solve, and multi-task.

Desired Experience

• Experience in horticulture, environmental work, or outdoor stewardship gained through paid work, volunteering, coursework, or self-directed learning.
• Applicants must have prior hands-on experience with gardening, landscaping, invasive plant removal, or similar outdoor field work.
• One year or more of horticultural and/or invasive plant removal experience is preferred.

Physical requirements

Due to the nature of this position, work will primarily take place outdoors in the Arboretum and occasionally indoors at the Graham Visitors Center, which is a multi-level building without an elevator. The role requires the ability to lift up to 20 lbs, use hand tools, walk on uneven terrain, navigate stairs, and drive an electric cart.

We understand that these physical requirements may not align with every individual’s ability and encourage applicants to inform us of any accommodations needed to create a welcoming and safe working environment. We are committed to working with the successful applicant to explore reasonable accommodations for the role when an offer is presented.

Arboretum Foundation Description

The Washington Park Arboretum is a welcome oasis on the shores of Lake Washington. Jointly managed with the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle, its 230 acres contain a dynamic assortment of plants, some found nowhere else in the Northwest. The Arboretum has been a particularly treasured resource for the community during the pandemic, drawing visitors from across the region.

The Arboretum Foundation, a nonprofit membership organization, has provided stewardship for the Arboretum since 1935. The Foundation manages the Park's membership and volunteer programs, raises necessary funds, and advocates for the Arboretum within the community.

Essential Arboretum operations and activities funded include arboriculture, garden maintenance, volunteer management, and environmental education programs, focusing on expanding community access.

In 2016, the Foundation expanded its role to include programming for the Seattle Japanese Garden, another recognized community gem.

As a well-known environmental education and stewardship leader, our current priorities are based on the Arboretum's Earth Day 2020 platform: modeling sustainability, building climate resilience, and cultivating a new generation of environmental stewards.

Benefits:

• Paid Sick Time based on hours worked
• Free Parking
• Opportunities to deepen your horticultural knowledge and skills through hands-on experience and collaboration with experienced staff and volunteers
• Office located in the heart of a beautiful park!

To Apply

Please electronically submit the following to jobs@arboretumfoundation.org:

• A resume outlining relevant experience
• In lieu of a cover letter, please include responses to the questions below within your resume or as a single attached document.

Application Questions

1. Briefly describe a time you were responsible for a group doing hands-on or physical work and something did not go as planned. What did you notice, and how did you respond?
2. Briefly share how you help people feel welcome and capable when they are new to a task, environment, or group.

The position is open until filled, with a priority review date of February 3.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position. All Arboretum Foundation employees may be required to perform duties outside of their typical responsibilities from time to time, as needed, to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Arboretum Foundation's EEO Statement:

The Arboretum Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at the Arboretum Foundation are based on one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, age, HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity; honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability or, any other characteristic protected by law.

This Equal Employment Opportunity policy governs all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, selection, job assignment, promotions, transfers, compensation, discipline, termination, layoff, access to benefits and training, and all other conditions and privileges of employment.

• Paid Sick Time based on hours worked
• Free parking
• Opportunities to deepen your horticultural knowledge and skills through hands-on experience and collaboration with experienced staff and volunteers
• Office located in the heart of a beautiful park!