Delaware Center for Horticulture
Position: Conservation Corps Member
Type: Full-time seasonal, June through August
Schedule: M-F, occasional weekends and evening events
Rate: $15/hr, opportunity for bonus upon successful completion of the program
Start: June 8, 2026
Mission
The Delaware Center for Horticulture inspires individuals and communities through the power of plants. Since 1977, we have cultivated a greener community by creating and maintaining the first Urban Farm in the city of Wilmington, beautifying public landscapes, planting urban trees, mobilizing volunteers, and hosting community events and educational programs, including our Branches to Chances® Return to Work and Neighborhood Tree Steward programs. Because much of our work occurs in low-income neighborhoods with higher rates environmental contamination and poor access to healthy foods, our educational efforts emphasize the personal health and sustainability benefits of gardening.
Position Summary
The Urban Conservation Corps is a 12-week, paid summer program for young adults ages 18–25, offering hands-on training in horticulture and green job readiness. Participants gain practical experience in urban and community forestry, ecological gardening, and urban agriculture while contributing to community-led greening projects across the city. Through immersive real-world work, Corps members build technical skills, explore career pathways in green industries, and develop the confidence and experience needed to pursue future employment or continued training.
Program Overview
Corps members would be actively involved in the day-to-day work of DCH’s community greening efforts—learning by doing, alongside staff and community partners:
Urban & Community Forestry
- Tree planting, watering, and seasonal care
- Basic tree identification and health assessment
- Tree stewardship and community engagement around tree care
- Understanding urban canopy goals and environmental impact
Ecological Gardening & Landscape Care
- Installing and maintaining gardens and green spaces
- Mulching, weeding (and weed identification), and seasonal planting
- Learning plant selection with an emphasis on native and climate-resilient species
- Exposure to sustainable landscape practices
Urban Agriculture
- Working in community gardens and DCH’s two urban farms
- Seeding, transplanting, harvesting, and crop maintenance
- Intro to food systems and local food access
- Supporting distribution or donation efforts where applicable
Community-Based Project Work
- Supporting neighborhood-led greening projects from planning through implementation
- Collaborating with residents, volunteers, and partner organizations
- Participating in community workdays and public-facing events
Green Job Readiness & Professional Development
- Workplace skills: communication, teamwork, time management
- Exposure to different green career pathways
- Resume-building and interview preparation
- Opportunities to take on leadership roles within projects
Work Environment and Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- The employee frequentlyis required tosit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50pounds and be able to carry, moveand set up necessary supplies and equipment.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
- Be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions including heat, cold and rain.
- Work is performed on multiple sites.
Salary and Compensation
$15/hr, opportunity for bonus upon successful completion of the program.
To Apply:
Please complete the DCH Urban Conservation Corps interest form on our website or contact careers@thedch.org for assistance in applying.
Equal Opportunity
DCH considers candidates for all positions on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, genetic information, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or status as a disabled veteran or other protect classification and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
DCH reserves the right to change this job description as conditions change.
