Job Overview
The Teen Summer Gardener is a paid, temporary, seasonal, part-time summer position for a young person aged 16-18 who enjoys working outdoors and has an interest in gardening, environmental justice, and neighborhood beautification.
Participants will build hands-on gardening skills, support garden and tree bed maintenance, and contribute to improving the beauty and health of the South Boston neighborhood. In addition to outdoor work, the Summer Gardener will participate in weekly learning opportunities and complete an online financial literacy course.
Responsibilities
- Assist with planting and watering flowers, vegetables, tree beds, and garden areas
- Maintain paths, walkways, and garden beds by weeding, mulching, and pruning as needed
- Remove and properly dispose of litter from gardens, tree beds, and South Boston streets
- Participate in group educational activities focused on gardening, environmental justice, and financial literacy and positive youth development
- Complete the EverFi Financial Literacy course by mid-summer
Requirements
- Must be 16-18 years old
- Candidates are full-time residents of the City of Boston
- Available to work July 6 - August 24, 2026
- Schedule: Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (25 hours per week)
- Strong interest in gardening, nature, and neighborhood beautification
- Physically able to perform basic gardening tasks, including bending, lifting, and standing for extended periods
- Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions (with breaks during inclement weather)
- Candidates demonstrate leadership potential or capacity in their community, willingness to learn, follow instructions, and work as part of a team
- Exhibit the following qualities: respectful, dependable, punctual, and responsible
- Not working in a position funded through the city at the same time (i.e. Successlink, AFH, Boston PIC, or ABCD)
Please direct all questions or comments to:
Sarah Rosadini at youth@sbchc.org