Horticulture Internship

Working under the leadership of the Horticulture Department, this position is responsible for assisting with maintenance of all gardens, a function that is essential to the mission of the Quad City Botanical Center. Responsibilities, expectations, and skills needed as follows for this internship:

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in maintaining garden displays, including tropical and perennials; building and grounds; and plant labels.

• Utilize Integrated Pest Management techniques.

• Willingness to learn about plants and their care. 

• Working collaboratively with the Horticulture department to determine and carry out daily tasks. 

• Learn how to check, record, and maintain water feature in Children’s Garden.

• Gathering and putting away tools needed for tasks and projects. 

• Learn how to use various equipment pieces, including but not limited to gator, pressure washer, and weed trimmer.

• Create an internship project to be completed.

Expectations and Preferable Skills:

• Applicant must be willing to work outside in all weather conditions.

• Works independently with minimum of supervision.

• Possess a valid driver’s license.  

• At least some college is preferred, but not required.

• Ability to coordinate activities with other departments within organization. 

• Be able to fulfill internship hours (according to institution’s internship requirement policy)

• An overall willingness to perform work that will aid in meeting the mission of the Quad City Botanical Center.

Although the primary function of the Horticulture Internship is to assist in the maintenance and care of all gardens, grounds, and buildings of the Quad City Botanical Center, this intern must also be willing to perform other duties outside of the particulars listed above, as assigned.  

Mission: To bring people and plants together in fun and meaningful ways.

To provide collections and exhibits that promote the beauty and enjoyment of plants; to increase botanical and horticultural knowledge through education, to encourage ecological concern for the plants that sustain us, and to inspire citizens to improve their environment.

Beneficial Skills & Temperament:

Ideal candidate must have a knowledge of and passion for horticulture and a willingness to work with plants and the environment. Additionally, this person must have a positive attitude, work well individually and as part of a team, be mature, flexible, friendly, and goal-oriented.

Availability: 

The Horticulture Internship must be willing to maintain a flexible schedule, including working weekends, evening, and holiday hours as necessary.  

Physical Demands:

The Horticulture Internship position requires the ability to stand, walk, sit, do work requiring hand, finger, and arm movement, reach, climb, stoop, talk, and listen. The ideal candidate will also be able to lift, carry, or cart a minimum of 50 pounds for a distance of 300 feet or more. The candidate should be tolerant of hot, humid, and uncontrolled climates, able to work in and out of doors, and able to operate motorized vehicles, hand-carts, and chair and table dollies, as well as other tools as required.

Please send inquiries and resumes to the Guest and Volunteer Engagement Manager’s email guestexp@qcgardens.com.

The Quad City Botanical Center acknowledges that equal opportunity for all persons is a fundamental human value. Each employee will be considered on the basis of individual ability and merit, without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, or marital status.