U.S. Botanic Garden

Garden Ambassadors welcome visitors, provide wayfinding assistance, and direct visitors to daily and seasonal happenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden. This assignment is stationed at the USBG Conservatory, within the welcoming areas of the Terrace, Lobby, Garden Court, and information desk (please note that no parking is available)

Time Commitment: at least two shifts per month

• 2-hour shifts, volunteer may sign up for more than one shift in a day
  • Morning, 9:45 a.m.- 12 p.m.
  • Midday, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Afternoon, 2 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
• Weekday and weekend shifts available
• Recurring weekly schedule is preferred, but we welcome intermittent volunteering as well

Qualifications:

• Interest in serving visitors
• Comfort interacting with a variety of audiences
• Ability to be courteous, respectful, and patient with visitors
• Good oral communication skills
• Cooperative nature, including the ability to accept instruction and correction
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances
• Professional manner and appearance, including USBG uniform

Training Provided:

• Introduction to role and responsibilities (approximately 1 hour)
• Onsite walk-through and Q&A session

Discovery Cart Facilitators engage with fun plant science topics in ways that spark curiosity and connect visitors to our collections. This position is stationed at the Conservatory (100 Maryland Ave SW, Note: Parking is not available).

Time Commitment: at least 2 shifts per month

• 2-hour shifts, volunteer may sign up for more than one shift in a day
• Morning, 9:45 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.
• Afternoon, 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Weekday and weekend shifts available

Training Provided:

• Online training: Intro to Discovery Carts
• 2-hr onsite training: Seasonal USBG Discovery Cart Training, must be available for one of the following dates:
  • November 2, 5-7 PM
  • November 4, 9-11 AM
  • November 5, 2-4 PM
• Access to specialized continuing education and shadowing opportunities (optional)

Gardens & Grounds Volunteers support the Horticulture Team to care for diverse outdoor garden spaces including the Regional Garden, Rose Garden, Pollinator Garden, and Bartholdi Fountain & Gardens. This assignment is stationed at our Conservatory (100 Maryland Ave SW, Note: Parking is not available).

Primary responsibilities include: watering, weeding, mulching, seasonal planting, pruning, and general grounds maintenance. 

Time Commitment: At least two shifts per month

• Recurring weekly schedule is preferred
• Available shifts:
  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
  • 8 AM to 12 PM or 8 AM to 1:30 PM

Training Provided: Introduction to role and responsibilities (approximately 1 hour shadowing onsite) & intermittent feedback with team leader and Volunteer Coordinator

Collections Volunteers support the Horticulture Team to care for our extensive plant collection, focused on maintaining plant health practices. This assignment is stationed at our Production Facility (4700 Shepherd Parkway, SW).

Primary responsibilities include: repotting and grooming, weeding, watering, general cleaning and sweeping.

Time Commitment: At least two shifts per month

• Recurring weekly schedule is preferred
• Available shifts:
  • Weekdays
  • 9 AM to 11 AM or 1 PM to 3 PM

Training Provided: Introduction to role and responsibilities (approximately 1 hour shadowing onsite) & intermittent feedback with team leader and Volunteer Coordinator

Collections Volunteers support the Horticulture Team to care for our extensive plant collection, focused on maintaining plant health practices. This assignment is stationed at our Conservatory (100 Maryland Ave SW, Note: Parking is not available).

Primary responsibilities include: repotting and grooming, weeding, watering, general cleaning and sweeping.

Time Commitment: At least two shifts per month

• Recurring weekly schedule is preferred
• Available shifts:
  • Weekdays
  • 7 AM to 10 AM 

Training Provided: Introduction to role and responsibilities (approximately 1 hour shadowing onsite) & intermittent feedback with team leader and Volunteer Coordinator

Production Facility Grounds Maintenance Volunteers support the Horticulture Team to care for the outdoor gardens surrounding the greenhouse facilities. This assignment is stationed at our Production Facility (4700 Shepherd Parkway, SW). 

Primary responsibilities include: watering, weeding, mulching, seasonal planting, pruning, and general grounds maintenance. 

Time Commitment: at least two shifts per month

• Tuesday, Wednesday
• 8 AM to 12 PM
• Recurring weekly schedule is preferred, but we welcome intermittent volunteering as well