Description

Full Time (40 hours/week) - 10 months

Estimated Start and End Date: March 2024 - December 2024

Position Summary:

In collaboration with program staff and other Corps members, the Urban Greening Fellow will play an important role in advancing the Community Landscaping Program’s work, transforming vacant and abandoned lots in Baltimore City into community gardens and green spaces. Fellows will actively participate in the construction of urban greening and other community landscaping projects in the Baltimore community, and specifically in Environmental Justice communities.

Fellows will also have the opportunity to support capacity building efforts for the Community Landscaping Program, including the following: 

• Research - conducting research on emerging urban greening models and documenting best practices for managing/expanding urban greening programs within a nonprofit organization

• Curriculum Development - collaboration with the Program Coordinator to further development of curriculum supporting training and professional development for Baltimore residents to obtain job skills in landscaping, carpentry, and construction techniques leading to green career pathway opportunities.

• Awareness Building - increasing awareness of Civic Works’ Community Landscaping Program through community and volunteer engagement, as well as working with Civic Works’ social media manager to develop content for social media and other platforms.

Organization and Program Description:

Civic Works strengthens Baltimore’s communities through education, skills development, and community service. Civic Works’ goals are to Build Brighter Futures through education and job training, grow Healthy Food and Green Communities, and create Safe and Affordable Housing. 

The Community Landscaping Program transforms vacant and abandoned lots in Baltimore City into community gardens and green spaces. Corps members, community residents, local artists, and volunteer groups serve together to create and maintain thriving community spaces.

Days / Hours of Service: 

40 Hours per Week (Monday-Friday; 8am-4pm) Occasional weekends

Benefits

• During the Service Term, Fellows will receive the following benefits:

  • $15/hour in the form of a bi-weekly stipend.

  • Full-time benefits including health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance and paid time off.

  • Fellows will commit to full-time 40 hours per week employment, including paid professional development

  • Fellows will work closely with Civic Works’ Member Development department to receive the support necessary to succeed in the program— professional development, job training, mentoring, career exploration and other support from training on resume building, mock interviews, to equity, inclusion, and project management/leadership. 

  • Fellows will also participate in hands-on training in how to properly use power tools and heavy equipment responsibly and safely, along with self-paced online and classroom instruction on the basic and complex techniques involved in urban landscaping.

• Upon completion of the Service Term, Fellows will receive the following benefits:

  • Fellows will receive $6,000 in a Maryland 529 account or as a cash stipend

  • Fellows will receive continued support from Civic Works with the following soft skills:

    • Mentoring & Career Planning Support

    • Resume Building & Review

    • Job Coaching & Referrals

Essential Functions of Position: 

• Participation in community landscaping projects including tree planting and maintenance

• Participation in hands-on training, and professional development training.

• Actively participate in team meetings

Additional Non-Essential Duties:

• Fellows have the opportunity to support the Community Landscaping Program Staff with capacity building activities, including research on urban greening models, development of curriculum to support training and professional development for Baltimore residents, and increasing awareness of the program through community and volunteer engagement and developing content for social media.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Fellows must be a Maryland State High School graduate, and have graduated within the past 3 years.

• Ability to serve 40 hours/week (Monday – Friday, and some weekends).

• Ability to lift 40 pounds.

• Willingness to serve in difficult weather conditions, (including extreme heat & cold).

• Agreement to submit to a criminal history check and a National Sex Offender Registry search.

• Commitment to a drug free workplace.

• Team Player and a willingness to try and learn new things.

• Strong communication skills.

• Interested in climate change work and community engagement

DESIRED (but not needed):

• A driver’s license

• Experience working or volunteering with a nonprofit, community engagement or climate work is a plus.