Brookside Gardens Summer Internship
Description
Dates of Internship: Mid-May 2022 – Mid-August 2022 (12 Weeks)
Are you looking for an exciting job opportunity with Montgomery County Parks’ premier Brookside Gardens Facility? The Brookside Gardens team is seeking undergraduate students and recent graduates to fill paid summer intern positions. This is an opportunity for motivated individuals to work closely with professionals in a public garden setting, learning first-hand about the varied facets of operating a public garden with outstanding plant collections and displays, a diverse customer base, and engaging learning opportunities. Experience and skills acquired through the internship will prepare participants for professional positions in related fields within the green industry and will complement undergraduate or graduate studies in horticulture or related fields. Brookside Gardens is a 55-acre horticultural display garden with intricately crafted landscapes, permanent and seasonal displays, and two conservatories. Throughout the year, the Gardens welcomes more than 900,000 visitors, at engaging programs and events for children and adults, including the summer live butterfly exhibit and winter light display. Learn more about us at https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/
Diversity Statement: Montgomery County Department of Parks believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success. Montgomery County Parks does not make hiring decisions on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, or ideology or status as a Veteran.
Examples of Important Duties
Interns will rotate through several sections throughout the gardens and will work on projects crucial to Brookside Gardens’ operations in each department. Interns should expect to assist with:
Outdoor Garden Maintenance
Indoor Garden (Conservatory) Maintenance
Wings of Fancy Live Butterfly Exhibit
Plant Propagation
There will be periodic training sessions on topics relevant to the Gardens’ operations, in addition to field trips to other gardens and related facilities. Interns will work together on group projects, including a presentation reflecting their experiences throughout the summer to Montgomery Parks staff. Each intern will also work on an independent project.
This position pays at a rate of $16.00/hr.
Minimum Qualifications
Requirements
Applicants must be currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, an undergraduate program related to Horticulture, Plant and Environmental Sciences, Soil Sciences, or Landscape Architecture.
Applicants should have a passion for learning new and varied skills relevant to running gardens and be capable of working independently or on a team.
Please include a copy of your college transcripts with your application.
Physical Demands / Working Conditions
Interns work both indoors and outdoors. May expect exposure to summer weather conditions, dirt, dust, unpleasant odors from fumes from fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides. May also encounter wildlife or harmful insects, and traffic hazards and noise.
Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (may vary). Must be available for occasional alternate weekdays, weekends, and evenings.
Supplemental Information
Brookside Gardens will cooperate with universities and colleges that offer credit for internship programs; however, it is the responsibility of the intern to make all arrangements for receiving academic credit with their institution.
No housing available
This position does not provide benefits
A criminal background investigation will be completed prior to hire.
Person(s) hired for this position must provide proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (with limited religious or medical exceptions).
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner. The Montgomery County Department of Parks has a career staff complement of nearly 800 employees, and we serve a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC area. We manage 421 parks on nearly 37,000 acres of parkland. Go to our website to learn more: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/
How to Apply: Go to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mncppc and search for “Brookside Gardens.” We are only accepting online applications. Application closes January 15, 2022. If you have any questions, contact Ellen Bennett at Ellen.Bennett@MontgomeryParks.org or (301) 962-1402.