College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

Summary: Missouri Botanical Garden is seeking two paid horticulture interns to join our horticulture division for the 2023 season. These seasonal, full-time internships provide hands-on learning experience for students or early-career professionals interested in exploring career opportunities within public horticulture. Interns will work directly with staff to assist with the design, installation, and maintenance of landscapes and individual plants while learning the highest standards of care. Interns will also gain an understanding of methods in which the Garden’s Living Collections support plant conservation and build research capacity.

 
 Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Performs a wide range of landscape/maintenance tasks important to the cultivation, preservation, protection and transplanting of existing plants; including but not limited to soil preparation, planting, staking, mulching, weeding, watering, fertilization, irrigation, pruning, training, and IPM 
• Assists with targeting and identifying new plant acquisitions
• Collaborates with horticulture staff to record changes in inventory in Living Collections Management System
• Assists with the monitoring and implementation of appropriate irrigation for a variety of plant material. Assists with coordinating the work of volunteers to deliver and complete projects 
• Completes assigned tasks as needed in support of seasonal displays and annual flower shows 
• Ensures that all tool storage areas and work areas are kept clean and tidy
• Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately to supervisor 
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed and adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards  
• Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:  None.
 

Competencies:

• Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills, and visitor relation skills.
• Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation, and visitor focus
• Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize, and the working knowledge and skills to take action.
• Problem Solving: Blends problem-solving skills, judgement, and decision-making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.
• Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the Garden values and support for a positive organizational climate.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Demonstrated interest in public gardens and public horticulture career opportunities.
• Basic knowledge of plant material and landscape maintenance techniques with an emphasis in herbaceous perennials, bulbs, shrubs, trees and vines
• Basic knowledge of safe operating procedures  of various landscaping tools and equipment and ability to learn maintenance of equipment
• Ability to work as part of a team to complete general projects (including with other interns and volunteers)
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner answering questions about the living collections
• Scheduling flexibility that allows working weekends and holidays for annual watering schedule
• Interest in living collections, curation and plant recording
• Knowledge of and adherence to all health and safety guidelines
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required

Education:

• Completion of or current enrollment towards degree in Horticulture, Biology, Botany and/or related field required
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Word, Excel and Outlook Email)
• Ability to enter data into spreadsheets and databases
• Solid internet research skills required

Mathematical Skills:

• Requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and to calculate percentages and decimals

Reasoning Ability:

• Applies facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: 

• Ability to possess and maintain valid driver’s licenses.

Physical Demands: 

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. (i.e., load, unload and move gardening supplies, medium to heavy weight tools and equipment)
• Must be able to work in bright sunshine with probable high UV levels and must be able to work outdoors year-round
• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, lift operation, etc.).
• Requires standing, walking, bending, stooping and reaching for extended periods of time-- 80% or more of the workday is standing on feet
• Ability to wear Garden issued Personal Protective Equipment
• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing)

Work Environment: 

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures over 100°F as well as temperatures below 0°F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed)
• Actively works hands-on to complete landscape maintenance tasks.
• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:  

• Garden employees, volunteers, guests, Green Industry vendors and contractors
• National and international botanical institutions, government agencies, and conservation divisions
  
  

The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests.  All staff are strongly encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccinations by hire date, and the Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on community health department guidelines.  When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain visas, vaccinations and immunizations for all countries where travel is required.