JOBS & VOLUNTEERING
JOB OPENINGS
Visitor Programs Manager (applications reviewed on a rolling basis starting on January 6, expected start date February 2025): This full-time, permanent position will coordinate FONA’s visitor programs at the National Arboretum, focusing on community events and partnership programs.
Please sign up for our weekly FONA Field Notes email newsletter to learn about future employment opportunities.
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GARDEN VOLUNTEERING
Looking for a fun way to give back to your community? Want to spend time outside getting your hands dirty and connecting to nature? Interested in a unique team activity for your company or organization?
Volunteering at FONA’s Washington Youth Garden might be the perfect fit for you! Volunteers provide crucial help with gardening tasks such as weeding, planting, mulching, and pest control. You don’t need prior experience, but you must be willing to make friends with the soil and the bugs!
Individuals
We host regularly-scheduled volunteer hours in the garden on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from April through mid-November. We welcome any and all volunteers, but greatly appreciate volunteers who can regularly commit to volunteering throughout the growing season. Fill out our individual volunteer interest form and we will get back to you with more details.
Groups
We work with groups to plan private volunteer days from April through mid-November. We ask for a minimum of 10 people and maximum of 25 people per group. Fill out our group volunteer interest form and we will get back to you with more details.
To support our volunteer program, we have a suggested donation of $200 per group, but we would still love to have you volunteer if this is not feasible for your group! No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Teens
Looking to complete community service hours for school? Join us for Teen Volunteer Days, held monthly on Saturdays during the spring and fall. All participants younger than 18 must have a parent or guardian complete the permission slip in the sign-up form. Any volunteers under the age of 14 must attend with a parent or guardian. Fill out our teen volunteer interest form to see upcoming dates, and we will get back to you with more details.
EVENT VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering at FONA’s events throughout the year is a great way to support our work building community at the National Arboretum. Spend a day enjoying plants and people by volunteering at our annual Garden Fair and Plant Sale, or help with other seasonal festivals, concerts, 5K races, and more. No experience is required, but we greatly appreciate when people can commit to volunteering at multiple events throughout the year. Fill out our event volunteer interest form and we will get back to you with more details.
SPRINGHOUSE RUN VOLUNTEERING
Help keep the restored Springhouse Run stream healthy by pulling invasive vines and weeds and planting along the bank. No experience needed! We will provide supplies and guidance. See our calendar for available dates and times.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY
FONA believes that one of the greatest strengths of Washington D.C. is the rich diversity of its citizens. FONA seeks to recognize and support that diversity. FONA is an equal opportunity employer, and its employment practices and policies are applicable to all employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin or ancestry, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, child birth or related medical conditions, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, matriculation, veteran status, union affiliation, disability, or any other legally-protected characteristic in accordance with federal or local law (the “Protected Categories”).
FONA is firmly committed to complying with all applicable federal and local legislation designed to ensure equal employment opportunities to persons with disabilities. FONA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability with regard to all employment practices or terms, conditions and privileges of employment. Consistent with this policy and applicable law, upon an employee’s request, FONA will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities who are able to perform the essential functions of the job unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to the organization. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignments, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
In addition, upon request and consistent with its obligations under applicable law, FONA will provide reasonable accommodations for an employee whose ability to perform the essential functions of the employee’s job are affected by pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, or breastfeeding. If you feel that you have need for an accommodation, please provide the request in writing to your supervisor, who will seek additional appropriate information in accordance with applicable law.