Dates: June 24 – Aug 23, 2024

Salary: $20.00/Hour

Schedule: 30 hours per week

Organizational Background 

Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation (SWBCDC) is a non-profit organization serving Boston’s diverse neighborhoods of Hyde Park and Roslindale. We create and preserve affordable housing to prevent displacement of low and moderate-income residents. We work with businesses to strengthen the commercial base of the neighborhoods. We work with residents to develop and implement strategies for climate change mitigation and resiliency, and transit equity along the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line. We employ Boston youth to restore local conservation woodlands and learn to grow food. We provide life skills and job readiness training to prepare them for future success. 

Program Description  

During the summer of 2024, Southwest Boston CDC’s Green Team program will operate two teams. Youth from both teams will work 25 hours per week (9am-2pm) from July 8-August 16. 

Our Garden Team will employs 4 youth ages 14-15 and two Crew Leaders to support/supervise them.   They will work at a City Sprouts site with the organization Grow to Consume.  They will learn the process and value of growing food. They will learn about restorative justice through repairing food injustice.  They will also learn to care for flowerbeds and small trees/shrubs at the Boston Nature Center. Youth will also learn about the SquashBusters program where youth can enroll to learn about college, building integrity and personal character, sports, health and wellness.  

Our Woodlands Team will include eight youth ages 16-18. They will work with three Crew Leaders and with the Boston Parks Department to restore conservation woodlands in Hyde Park and educate residents about proper use of the woods. They will learn landscaping skills, including how to build and restore trails, identify and properly remove invasive plants, plant native trees, create swales to help prevent flooding. They will learn about woodland safety and about the role that woodlands play in helping to mitigate the effects of climate change in our city. Youth will learn job readiness and life skills such as proper workplace conduct and conflict resolution, teen workers’ rights, personal banking; resume preparation, interviewing, and post high school education and job options. This Team may also travel for 1-2 days to the White Mountains in New Hampshire to meet with USDA Forest Service Rangers, learn about what they do and learn about this as a possible career path. 

Crew Leader Job Description 

Crew Leaders will work from June 24-Aug 23 from 8:30am-2:30, Monday-Friday for a total of 30 hours per week. They will receive two weeks of training and orientation before youth begin. Training topics will include nutrition and hydration, health and safety protocols and procedures while working, team building and leadership, proper workplace conduct and conflict resolution, resume writing, and interviewing, and civic engagement skills. During the training period, they will also work with the Green Team Program Coordinator to plan similar trainings for the Teens.  The Green Team Program Coordinator provides overall program management and supervises the Crew Leaders. 

Once youth begin working, Crew Leaders will: 

• Track daily attendance of youth, execute daily program schedule including work projects and educational activities.

• Provide positive direction and supervision while working alongside youth.

• Create a supportive work environment while giving enthusiastic and clear direction.

• Explain and enforce code of conduct and safety rules and address any administrative or discipline issues as they arise.

• Provide youth with ice and water throughout the day and make sure youth are bringing lunch.

• Purchase supplies as needed.

• Communicate effectively with organizations providing training and field trips, and coordinate travel logistics in advance of trips.

• Plan and lead indoor environmental education activities on ‘rainy days’.

• Communicate with parents as necessary.

• Meet weekly with Green Team Program Coordinator and SWBCDC Assistant Director to provide program updates, receive feedback and discuss challenges.

• Conduct youth and program evaluations.

• At the end of each day, clean all tools and equipment.

• Conduct wrap-up activities as needed at the end of the program.

• Pick up checks from Artists for Humanity, which prepares checks, and distribute to youth on site.

Leader Qualifications:

1. Must be a City of Boston resident between the ages of 20 and 24.

2. One or more years of experience working with and supervising youth

3. Able to motivate and inspire youth, resolve conflicts and enforce disciplinary procedures

4. Able to lift 25 pounds and work outside for extended periods of time

5. Strong interest in woodland restoration and/or urban farming

6. Strong communication and organization skills

7. Experience working in diverse communities

8. A car is not required but highly recommended

Helpful:

1. First aid and/or CPR certification

2. Able to speak Spanish or Haitian Creole

3. Experience in landscaping or gardening

For more information, or to apply, contact Pat Alvarez: 617-990-4498, palvarez@swbcdc.org

Southwest Boston CDC is an equal opportunity employer.