Company: U.S. National Arboretum
Address: 3501 New York Ave. NE
Location: Washington, DC
Application Deadline: February 17, 2013
Position: 5 Full-time, Paid
Connections
Description
The U.S. National Arboretum was established in 1927 by an Act of Congress. The Arboretum is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service and maintains three locations in Washington D.C., Beltsville, MD, and McMinneville, TN. The mission of the Arboretum is to serve the public need for scientific research, education, and gardens that conserve and showcase plants to enhance the environment.
The U.S. National Arboretum offers a limited number of internships to qualified individuals seeking on-the-job work experience and training in horticulture, botany, research, and education. Selected individuals gain hands-on experience throughout the Arboretum's various plant collections, greenhouses, and research laboratories. All interns complete a project (group or independent) during their internship. In addition interns will enjoy a series of field trips to area gardens.
Applications are currently being accepted for horticulture internships in the following collections:
-Azalea & Boxwood Collections (6 months, full-time, April-October):
-Dogwood & Native Plant Collections (6 months, full-time, April-October):
-Conifer Collection & Introduction Garden (6 months, full-time, April-October):
-Friendship Garden (6 months, part-time, April-October):
-Asian Collection (6 months, full-time, April-October):
Responsibilities
Description: Horticulture interns are assigned to one or more gardens or collections. All interns participate in regularly scheduled educational programs and field trips, work on a project that benefits the Arboretum, and are supervised by the Arboretum's professional staff. Internships are 6 months long and will begin in April or May 2013. Compensation for the internships is approx. $11.91/hr. College credit may be arranged by the student and is encouraged. There are full-time and part-time internships available.
Duties & Working Conditions: Interns will be responsible for the typical duties of working in a public garden. Assist the plant collection curators in the development and maintenance of the plant germplasm collections at the arboretum. Perform general gardening tasks that provide proper environmental conditions for germplasm collections, including watering, mowing, mulching, and weeding. In addition, procedures for maintaining proper greenhouse conditions will be stressed, including correct nutritional regimens, and environmental variables. Assist horticulturists and Plant Records staff with updating records and labels of plants in collections. Internships will involve heavy lifting and exposure to extreme heat and humidity.
Requirements
Applicants need to have either completed course work or have acquired practical experience in horticulture or a related field. Basic gardening skills, interest in plants, and the ability to work independently are very important.
To apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, transcripts, and a completed Supplemental Questionnaire via postal mail or email to:
Internship Office
US National Arboretum
3501 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
USNA.Internships@ars.usda.gov
202-245-4563
