Garden Ambassador
Cornell Botanic Gardens: Garden Ambassador Team Member
The Learning by Leading (LxL) program seeks to build a network of dynamic student-led teams — supported by Cornell Botanic Gardens’ staff and resources — that are passionate about environmental issues, skilled in collaboration and communication, and capable of creative problem-solving. The Garden Ambassadors is a pilot LxL team dedicated to outreach, engagement, and informal education. This semester in particular, the team will gain leadership skills as they co-lead and co-create projects amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligibility and Qualifications:
- Must be a full time, undergraduate Cornell University student. Preference for first- and second-year students
- Both local and remote students are eligible
- All majors and fields of study are encouraged to apply
- Experience with or interest in engaging with diverse audiences of youth, student, and adult learners
- Experience with or interest in environmental communication and/or environmental teaching and engagement in an informal setting
Position details:
- The Garden Ambassadors team is composed of a Staff Mentor (Kevin Moss), two Student Team Leads (Jeannie Yamazaki and Nola Rettenmaier) and Team Members
- For this application cycle, we are looking for 3-4 Team Members
- This position is unpaid. Hours may count towards volunteer hours for Cornell Tradition, APO, etc.
- After completing two semesters as a Team Member, you may be eligible to apply for Team Lead, a paid position.
- The position is 3-5 hours/week. Hours will consist of weekly team meetings, reflection and time spent outside of meetings working on projects.
- The commitment for this role is two semesters.
- Specific projects and tasks will be determined by the Garden Ambassadors Team, though possible projects include:
- Developing content for the Garden Stories project
- Maintaining and developing new installations for the Gratitude Project
- Developing materials for engagement and informal education (e.g. themed tours, virtual tours, scavenger hunts, digital content)
- Planning and executing virtual events
- Greeting and assisting visitors in the Botanic Gardens
- Long-term planning for future tours and events
APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Please include the following in your cover letter:
- Tell us about the skills, interests, and/or experiences you possess that will make us see you as a unique and exciting candidate for this position
- What motivates you to want to become part of the Cornell Botanic Gardens team?
- Provide your job and/or volunteer history for the last 2-3 years.
- Are you able to commit to the entire term of this assignment (Fall 2020 - Spring 2021)? If not, please tell us why.
- Please tell us anything else about yourself that you would like us to consider.
- Name and contact information for at least one professional or academic reference.
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The Garden Stories project was created to showcase the experiences and perspectives of staff, faculty and students connected to Cornell Botanic Gardens. By sharing these stories via digital media, we hope to highlight the role of the Gardens in promoting growth, inspiration, and connection for the Cornell community.
The Gratitude Project was envisioned as a temporary interactive installation aimed at encouraging reflection and expressions of gratitude during this time. The project is still being conceptualized; we are interested in expanding the project to include multiple installations throughout the Botanic Gardens and Arboretum. The installations are intended to be an extension of the landscape and the messages of gratitude that individuals leave behind (strips of paper/cloth) will develop a patina/fade over time.