Horticulture Paid Intern
Employment Type
Paid Internship (Full-time)Job Categories
Horticulture
Job Description
Are you a student who is passionate about plants and our environment, loves being active outdoors, and is committed to supporting the Gardens’ IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) goals? We’re looking for a Public Horticulture Intern excited about inspiring meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature in one of the most beautiful settings in Maine.
The Public Horticulture internship immerses students into the world of public garden horticulture. Not only will students experience all aspects of horticulture (e.g., planting, maintenance, etc.), but they will also better appreciate their role in fostering an exceptional guest experience and becoming better stewards of the environment.
In addition to joining our Horticulture team and partaking in regular gardening duties, we have built robust educational programming into our internship. You will delve into all-day immersion and job shadow sessions that help connect the many elements that comprise a botanical garden. In this capacity, you will learn what curation is, the importance of a herbarium, spend a day with our Entomologist and share the wonderment of our native butterfly and moth house with visitors, to name just a few of the many opportunities. We offer many social and networking opportunities within Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and the broader community.
See the full listing on our website: https://www.mainegardens.org/employment/
Full-time, hourly, $16.00 per hour
Late May through Mid-August 2024
Intern housing is available for a biweekly rate
Work schedule:
40 hours/week with some weekend work required from approximately mid-May to late August. Flexible start and end date. The successful candidate is responsible for their transportation to and from the workplace.
Physical and environmental factors:
This position has consistent, moderate physical demands. It frequently involves hands-on garden education and some maintenance of learning gardens. The employee should be prepared for active physical work as a regular component of the workday throughout the Gardens’ open season.
About Us
At nearly 325 acres, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the largest public garden in New England. With two miles of hiking trails, 19 acres of ornamental and themed gardens featuring native plants of Maine and those suited to northern coastal conditions, nearly a mile of saltwater frontage, a children’s garden, a sensory garden, and so much more, there’s something for everyone. A true Maine experience, the Gardens is committed to connecting people to plants and nature, preserving the biodiversity of the Maine coast, and continuing to be a place accessible and welcoming to all. The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment where every member of our community is valued, respected, and appreciated. We acknowledge that a society is stronger, more resilient, and more beautiful when it is diverse. We are committed to identifying and striving to eliminate barriers that, historically, have prevented the full participation of communities most impacted by inequity.
Duties & Responsibilities
Assist with ornamental gardening, including planting, mulching, weeding, staking, dead-heading, pruning, watering, pest identification and integrated pest management, plant identification, and developing knowledge of plant, design, and material needs.
Assist with general maintenance of horticulture buildings and equipment, including raking, sweeping, cleaning, sharpening, and repairs as needed.
Assist with propagation/production, including collection, storage, and sowing of seed; cuttings; transplanting; watering; and additional plant care as needed.
Assist in the Native Butterfly House, including rearing of specimens and interacting with visitors.
Participate in cross-departmental educational opportunities with the Plant Science and Collections and Education Departments (e.g., record keeping, mapping, herbarium techniques, horticultural therapy, and children’s programs).
Participate in regular group projects within Horticulture department as well as cross-departmentally
Participate in Gardens-wide initiatives as needed (e.g., special events, etc.).
Education and Experience
Flexibility in a high-productivity work environment where, on occasion, schedules and duties may change due to unforeseen circumstances
Educational and/or practical experience in horticulture, botany, and/or landscape design/maintenance.
Enthusiasm about plants, conscientiousness about the environment, adhesion to sustainable gardening practices, and willingness to participate in horticultural best management practices.
The successful candidate must be comfortable interacting with guests, staff, and board members.
Commitment to working across the organization to support the integration of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) principles into Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ internal operations and its relationships with visitors and guests.