Internships: Horticulture

Department: Horticulture
Hours: Full-Time, Seasonal
Start Date: May 2024
Application Deadline: February 1, 2024, or until positions are filled. Submit completed Internship application form and cover letter to employment@jenkinsarboretum.org.
Click here to download application.

Summer Horticulture Internships at Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens provide a unique educational experience in the field of horticulture. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work closely with horticulture staff in diverse aspects of public garden maintenance. In addition to practical garden maintenance experience, Interns may have opportunities to participate in plant propagation, greenhouse management, and plant collections curation.

Internship Candidates
Internship candidates may be diverse in their educational backgrounds and future career goals and will be considered regardless of race, gender, or educational background. Candidates pursuing a degree in horticulture, botany, biology, or environmental resource management are encouraged to apply. Previous education or practical experience in horticulture is desirable but not required.

Internship Term and Compensation
The term of the Summer Horticulture Internship will be for the summer season, 8 to 10 weeks. Start dates are flexible, but Internships generally begin in May and run through August. Interns are paid $14/hour and are welcome to take unpaid vacation time off occasionally during the summer, with approval from the Director of Horticulture. Additionally, Interns will be invited to join horticulture staff on occasional field trips to other gardens and/or natural areas throughout the summer.

Intern Obligations and Duties
Working closely with the Head Horticulturist and other horticulture staff, Interns assist in the numerous activities required to maintain the Arboretum & Gardens during the growing season including planting, pruning, mulching, and weeding. Additionally, Interns must have the ability to learn and responsibly operate small power equipment such as backpack blowers and golf carts. Ability to perform physical duties in all weather conditions and lift 25 to 50 pounds is required.

Additional Background Information
The Internship at Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens provides an exceptional opportunity to learn about two specialties:

Native plants and naturalistic landscape design
Interns will be trained in environmental horticulture, Jenkins’ unique approach to gardening. Gardening in this ecological context is the best long-term strategy for stewardship, conservation and sustainable landscape design.

Rhododendrons, azaleas, and related species
As a newly created public garden in 1976, the original “Master Plan for Development” specified and emphasized ericaceous plants in the scientific collections because of environmental considerations. Related ericaceous plants include mountain laurels, pieris, enkianthus, leucothoe, blueberries, and many others. Jenkins’ collections of both Rhododendron and Kalmia are nationally accredited through the American Public Gardens Association’s Plant Collection Network.

About
Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens is a 48-acre public garden located in Devon, Pennsylvania. Since its inception in 1976, the mission of Jenkins has been to preserve natural tranquil woodlands for community enjoyment, to showcase native plants and a world class collection of rhododendrons and azaleas and to promote environmental horticulture through learning, research and conservation. Jenkins is open daily and is always free of admission.

Application Procedure and Deadline
Applications are due February 1, 2024, or until positions are filled. Submit completed Internship application form and cover letter to employment@jenkinsarboretum.org.
Click here to download application.