Internships

Red-orange witch hazel flowers in full bloom against a gray winter backdrop with white text that reads: Internships.

An internship at Jenkins is a hands-on, educational working experience in the unparalleled setting of Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens. Internships are available in Education & Outreach and Horticulture. During the 8-10 week program, interns work closely with staff, gaining the knowledge and confidence that comes from filling crucial roles on a small team. Keep reading and follow links below to dig deeper into this unique opportunity.

Ready to apply?
Click here for the Horticulture Internship application with position description.
Click here for the Education & Outreach Internship application with position description.
Applications are due February 1, 2024, or until position is filled.

Education & Outreach Internship
The Education & Outreach intern engages in diverse aspects of public garden administration, programming, and communications. Duties include creating content for digital and print media, facilitating public programs, and developing visitor experience. Besides building communication skills, the intern will have opportunities to create and lead environmentally-focused programs and learn from staff in all roles at Jenkins.

The intern practices a broad range of methods for education and outreach, and may have opportunities to develop skills in photography, environmental writing, magazine editing, public presentations, Pre-K teaching, videography, and more. They will be invited to join one or more staff field trips to other gardens/natural areas and hear about their education and outreach strategies.

Educational articles and videos created by Education & Outreach Interns:
Pressed Plants: Bringing the Outside in with Botanical Crafts – County Lines Magazine
Nature Detectives: Pollinators activity sheet
Waggle Dance activity sheet
Seed Ball How-to Video
…plus the two intern videos on this webpage!

“There are so many stories to share, so many ‘Aha!’ moments to have, and so many skills to hone during our internship program.” – Amy Mawby, Education Manager at Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens

Horticulture Internships
Horticulture interns join Jenkins Horticulture Team to engage in all aspects of public garden maintenance. Duties include weeding, pruning, planting, mowing, mulching, and more, all accomplished in accord with Jenkins’ unique style of ecological gardening. Besides building key garden maintenance skills, interns will learn on-the-job about native plants and environmental horticulture.

Interns may additionally have opportunities to participate in plant propagation, greenhouse management, and plant collections curation. Interns will also be invited to join staff on occasional field trips to other gardens and/or natural areas throughout the summer.

“Here at Jenkins we have a small staff who dreams pretty big in terms of projects, so having interns is invaluable.” – Helen Standen, Greenhouse & Nursery Manager at Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens