AmeriCorps Community Landscaping Trainee

Member Position / Title: AmeriCorps Community Landscaping Trainee

Number of individual members serving in this Position: Up to 15 per Cohort, members will serve in rolling cohorts of 3-5 AmeriCorps members.

Member Immediate Supervisor Name: Kathleen Koehnke

Position Start Date: This position will accept rolling applications for 3 cohorts that are EXPECTED to start in March 2026, June 2026, and August 2026.

Days / Hours of Service:

Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 3:30 pm (40 hours/week Occasional Weekends)

Host Site Agency Name & Complete Address of Host Site Location(s): Civic Works Community Landscaping Program: 1749 Gorsuch Ave, Baltimore, MD 21218

Position Summary:

AmeriCorps Community Landscaping Trainees will transform vacant lots in neighborhoods throughout Baltimore City into communal green spaces and public gardens. Team members will learn how to properly use hand tools, power tools, and heavy equipment involved in landscaping. They will serve with community members and help lead volunteer groups to conceptualize, create, and maintain green spaces. Team members will also participate in educational workshops, job skills training, and workforce development activities.

Organization and Program Description:

Civic Works strengthens Baltimore’s communities and promotes equity for people of all ages through education, skills development, and community service. The Community Landscaping Program transforms vacant lots in Baltimore City into usable green spaces. AmeriCorps members, community residents, local artists, and volunteer groups serve together to create and maintain thriving community spaces.

Member Service Activities & Benefits

During the Service Term, members will serve primarily outdoors performing the following tasks and will receive the following benefits:

• Members will transform vacant lots across Baltimore City into usable green spaces.
• 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.
• Practical application opportunities leading community members and volunteer groups to conceptualize, create, and maintain green spaces.
• Members will receive continued support from Civic Works with the following soft skills:
  • Mentoring & Career Planning Support
  • Resume Building & Review
  • Job Coaching & Referrals.
• Soft skills development related to personal and professional growth, from resume building and mock interviews, to equity, inclusion, and project management/leadership.
• Members will receive a living allowance in the form of a fixed bi-weekly stipend.

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

• Eli Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (based on the following service term structure): 1700 hours - $7395.00
• 900 Hours - $3697.50
• 675 Hours - $2817.14
• 450 Hours - $1956.35
• 300 Hours - $1565.08
• Member will receive continued support from Civic Works with the following soft skills:
  • Mentoring & Career Planning Support
  • Resume Building & Review
  • Job Coaching & Referrals.

Required Qualifications:

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 National Sex Offender Registry search.
• Commitment to a drug free workplace.
• Team Player and a willingness to try and learn new things.

DESIRED (but not needed):

• A driver’s license.
• Knowledge of basic landscaping and design techniques.
• Experience serving in low-income communities.
• Strong communication skills.

FOR CIVIC WORKS STAFF USE - Is the Host Site Agency Name a reassignment from an earlier site placement?

___Yes ___No

If “Yes” is checked, please answer the following:

Where was the member serving previously?

Why was the member reassigned from a prior Host Site?

If a member was previously serving in a different role with a unique Member Position Description, please indicate the title of the Member Position Description in which the member was previously serving as well as an explanation why the member was reassigned from his/her original service role.

Member Signature:

______________________________________________________________

Supervisor Signature:

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