The Pollinator and Bird Garden and Natural Lands Assistant

Job Description

The Arboretum at Penn State is seeking a passionate and motivated individual to join our team as the Pollinator and Bird Garden & Natural Lands Assistant. This fellowship offers hands-on training in sustainable horticulture, ecological land stewardship, and plant curation and collections management. You’ll gain professional skills working in award-winning gardens while advancing Penn State’s land-grant mission.

Compensation: Up to $20/hour (based on experience and qualifications)
Program Length: This is a termed 56-week fellowship (two 28-week phases with a 10-week mandatory break between phase 1 and 2)

About Us

Located at the heart of the Penn State campus, The Arboretum serves as a 370-acre “living laboratory” where nature, public horticulture, and research meet. Our team manages preserved natural lands (NL) alongside the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, providing a space dedicated to beauty, education, and environmental connection.

On of our proud centerpiece of our Botanic Garden is the Pollinator and Bird Garden (PBG), a 4-acre site opened in 2021. Internationally recognized for its design, this garden was created through a unique collaboration between world-class landscape architects and Penn State’s own scientific experts. By combining aesthetic beauty with research-backed habitats, the garden sets a new standard for ecological adaptive management, serving as a thriving sanctuary for local wildlife and a model for sustainable practices.

Duties & Responsibilities

What You’ll Do:

*Horticulture & Adaptive Landscape Management (50%) *

Work closely under the guidance of PBG horticulturists, and the Director of Horticulture, focusing on sustainable - adaptive landscape management strategies.

Execute seasonal horticultural operations including but not limited to; planting, pruning, cutting back, dividing, weeding, deadheading, removing and transplanting, in both ornamental and research contexts.

Monitor and maintain invasive plant presence in the garden, tracking plant performance, hardscape conditions, and research elements while contributing to ongoing data collection.

Document and analyze daily operations, seasonal patterns, and long-term trends using our tailored PBG management toolkit and memory keeper.

Support and sustain our birdfeeder program in the PBG landscape.

Conduct integrated pest management through regular scouting, risk assessment, and environmentally responsible intervention strategies.

Manage irrigation and plant establishment, ensuring optimal plant health through targeted watering and monitoring protocols.

Use trade tools such as pruners, hand saws, shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, and powered equipment as necessary.

Operate a utility vehicle across the Arboretum property.

Assist with Arboretum events as needed.

*Plant Records & Collections Management (40%) *

Assist the Curator of Living Collections in maintaining plant records in the Pollinator and Bird Garden and in the Natural Lands using botanical-recordkeeping software and various other forms of technology.  Assistant will learn about plant nomenclature, accessioning procedures, data collection, labeling, and more.

Document and report plant removals, additions, transplants, and other relevant data in an official capacity to the Curator of Living Collections.

Conduct seasonal plant field inventories in the Arboretum’s Pollinator and Bird Garden to document and monitor dynamic plant collections.

Collect GPS field data using mobile mapping applications and GIS technology to assist with plant records, mapping projects, and research efforts in the Pollinator and Bird Garden and Natural Lands.

Contribute to the Arboretum’s public plant finder & visitor service tool (Arboretum Explorer) located on the Arboretum’s website via content creation & data collection, specifically related to the Pollinator and Bird Garden.

Contribute to collections management procedural documentation & resources pertaining to the Pollinator and Bird Garden and Natural Lands.

*Natural Lands, Public Education, and Volunteer Engagement (10%) *

Assist with restoration projects in the Hartley Wood, prairie, and surrounding natural land ecosystems by leading volunteer workshop sessions focused on trailblazing, wood chipping, monitoring, invasive species removal, and replanting.

Lead volunteer groups in conservation activities and develop team leadership and community engagement programs.

Conduct plant field inventories and risk assessment walkthroughs in the natural lands.

Work with university researchers and staff as needed.

Education and Experience

Essential Qualities:

Valid Driver’s License Required: This role involves transporting essential heavy equipment and tools to multiple locations across the Arboretum and campus.

Ability to lift up to 50lbs independently, kneel, crouch, bend and move across uneven surfaces and terrains.

Physical readiness for outdoor work involving standing, kneeling, and walking for extended periods in varying weather conditions across all four seasons.

Passion for sustainable, biodiverse horticulture and eagerness to learn ecosystem-based practices.

Ability to work collaboratively with diverse staff, volunteers, and the public.

Technical aptitude with hand tools, power equipment, and Microsoft Office 365 Suite.

Working plant ID/taxonomic systems knowledge or the desire to learn.

Self-motivation balanced with ability to follow direction and work independently.

Flexibility for early morning starts (7:00 a.m.) and occasional weekend assignments.

Preferred Background:

Degree in horticulture, forestry, landscape management, plant science, agriculture, or related field; OR

High school diploma plus 2+ years of experience in landscapes, gardens, or natural lands; OR

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Additional Information

Professional Development Opportunities:

Our apprenticeship is designed to launch your career by blending hands-on experience with a robust professional foundation. We go beyond daily operations to connect you directly with the people and places shaping public horticulture today. You will engage in professional development sessions right on campus, learning from Penn State faculty and industry leaders, while visiting regional botanical gardens and conservation organizations to see best practices in action.

Our Commitment to You:

The Arboretum at Penn State upholds Penn State’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We value multiple perspectives, foster respectful collaboration, and strive to create welcoming spaces for all.

Application Instructions

Application Requirements:

Apply online at: https://hr.psu.edu/careers
Position: REQ_0000070141 Pollinator and Bird Garden, and Natural Lands Assistant
Application Deadline: 01/24/2026

Required Materials:

Cover letter specifically addressing how this fellowship will advance your career goals in sustainable landscape management, ecological land restoration, or plant collections management

Current resume or CV highlighting relevant experience and education

Contact information for at least two professional references; written letters of recommendation are highly preferred

For application assistance, visit: https://hr.psu.edu/careers, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click on: Applying for a Job? Read our Step-by-step guide for assistance.
https://hr.psu.edu/sites/hr/files/HowToApplyForJobsAtPennState.pdf