RECRUITING NOW!

AmeriCorps Service Member

  • Full time positions October 2025 - September 2026

    • Become a Climate Corps member serving in San Jose and the greater Santa Clara Valley.

    • Receive a $35,000 living stipend and $10,000 educational award upon completion of the term.



ABOUT OUR CITY FOREST: Our City Forest has been the leading urban forestry non-profit in the San José area since 1994. Our mission is to cultivate a green and healthy Silicon Valley by engaging community members in the appreciation, protection, growth, and maintenance of our urban ecosystem, especially our urban forest. 


POSITION SUMMARY

Our City Forest (OCF) Service Team Members are sponsored in part by the National Service organization, AmeriCorps, and are expected to commit to a term of service. Team Members will have training at the beginning of the term. Each Team Member will be assigned to a primary team, but will support other groups when needed throughout the year. The teams are: Planting, Tree Care, and Community Nursery. 

All members will:

  • Be trained on the best practices of maintaining a green and healthy urban forest in the Silicon Valley.

  • Strive to build capacity in the community and maximize volunteer participation in their individual programs, acting as coaches and coordinators.

  • Provide friendly, professional customer service to community members.

  • Act as OCF ambassadors and pass along potential greening opportunities to OCF managers and technicians.

  • Train and engage with volunteers of all ages and abilities.

  • Database volunteer hours and events.


Community Nursery Team

Nursery Specialists care for trees and shrubs at Our City Forest’s Community Nursery & Training Center. Members play a key role in cultivating the urban forest from the ground up. In addition to hands on nursery work, members engage with community members of all ages through training, tours and events.


Planting Team

Planting Specialists serve on the Planting Team, helping to expand and care for the urban forest through tree planting and community greening projects. Members work directly with residents, schools, volunteers, and local partners to plan and execute planting projects across Santa Clara County, primarily in San José.


Tree Care Team

Tree Care Specialists serve on a small, focused team dedicated to supporting the health and longevity of newly planted trees across Santa Clara County, primarily San José. Members will work closely with residents, schools, volunteers, and staff to provide post-planting support, education, and outreach that strengthens tree survivability and builds local stewardship.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • U.S. Citizen, legal or permanent resident, with a high school diploma or equivalent, minimum age: 18

  • Ability to safely lift 50lbs.

  • Ability to work in the field thRough outdoor activities.

  • Ability to work well with diverse groups of people.

  • Must be available to work full time, 7:30 am - 4 pm, Tuesday - Saturday (shifts may start earlier, depending on team’s needs)

  • Must be able to commit through the end of the service term

  • Agree to complete a fingerprint-based (livescan) background check and Truescreen (name verification) background check



Our City Forest provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Our City Forest complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, college, and training.

AmeriCorps members at Our City Forest have a right to reasonable accommodations for any disability. If a member has a mental or physical disability or medical condition and needs accommodation made at his/her service site in order to perform the assigned responsibilities, the member should let the Host Agency AmeriCorps Program Manager know.