About the role
Mission
The mission of the Houston Botanic Garden is to enrich life through discovery, education, and conservation of plants and the natural environment. HBG is a recently completed botanic garden that strives to inspire all people to love plants and be good stewards of the natural world. The gardens include a global garden with arid, sub-tropical, and tropical plants; a culinary garden with permanent and seasonal displays; a family garden centered around a lagoon; a woodland event garden; wetlands; and a coastal prairie on a 132-acre site.
Role
The Horticulture Fall to Spring Internship Program is a part time 9-month immersive experience for students that are pursuing an Associate or Bachelor's degree in: horticulture, plant science, ecology, environmental studies, botany, biology or related field. The Intern will gain hands-on experience by working alongside HBG horticultural professionals in three-month rotations throughout the garden and receive regular training from their mentors during the duration of the internship. In addition to hands on skills, intern(s) will also work on a focused project that will enhance their research, problem solving, and professional skills. The Intern will be expected to present the results of their project in a public presentation at the end of the internship. The ideal candidate is an energetic student interested in expanding their plant science knowledge and is interested in assisting in hands-on projects throughout the garden.
Main Job Responsibilities
- Primarily work in cultivated gardens, plant records, and stewardship of natural ecosystems.
- Tasks may include weeding, planting, pruning, mulching, watering, staking, dividing, and transplanting plants, path maintenance, fertilizing, pest and disease control, and removal of invasive plant species on HBG grounds.
- Operate equipment and tools to safely and efficiently accomplish work, including but not limited to carts, skidsteers, pruners, loppers, weed eaters, chain-saws, blowers, etc.
- Operating field data collection equipment, plant id., data management, label assembly and other administrative tasks.
- Complete assigned project from inception to completion.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Experience Requirements
- Must be a current student or have graduated within the past year pursuing/obtained a degree in plant science, agriculture, forestry, ecology, environmental studies, biology, botany, or related degree.
- Demonstrated passion for plants and the natural environment.
- Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions.
- Ability to take on physical work; frequent standing, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, reaching, carrying, lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 80 pounds.
- Ability to sit at a desk, research, and stay on task.
- Self-motivation, good interpersonal and organizational skills
- Willingness to work as part of team and show openness to others' ideas
- Patience and good problem-solving skills
Position Details
- Part-time, temporary 20 hrs/week (Mon – Fri)
- Nine month assignment (Sept '25 – May '26)
Application Procedure
Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to hr@hbg.org. We will contact those candidates who most closely match our requirements. Thank you for your interest!
Job Type
Part-time
Pay
$14.00 - $16.00 per hour
Benefits
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
Ability to Commute
Houston, TX 77017 (Required)
Work Location
In person