Position Summary
Native Plant Trust is pleased to offer a 13-week internship in 2026, based at Garden in the Woods, our renowned native plant botanic garden in Framingham, MA. Intern assists in all aspects of botanic garden operations at Garden in the Woods, including instruction in ecological horticultural practices (such as planting, pruning, weed management, propagation, and seed collection), renovation and construction of new gardens, inventory and plant recordkeeping, and public education. Intern will gain hands-on experience identifying and cultivating native plants in a botanical garden. Intern is expected to undertake an independent study project and present the results to staff and garden members. There will be opportunities to take field trips and classes at Native Plant Trust. This is an exceptional learning opportunity to gain valuable career experience in caring for gardens and natural areas, planning and leading projects, and managing volunteers.
This is a non-exempt, hourly, full-time, seasonal position reporting to the Director of Horticulture. Compensation is $15.00/hour for 40 hours/week for 13 weeks (max 520 hours, max wages $7,800). The work schedule is Monday - Friday, with weekend days. A Horticulture intern working at Garden in the Woods can rent a room for the internship in a shared house, a 5-minute walk away from the Garden, for $300/month. This includes all utilities except the internet and phone.
The ideal start date is at the beginning of June 2026. End date in September 2026. Flexibility in start and end dates is available on a case-by-case basis.
Primary Responsibilities
Garden care and maintenance
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Weeding, editing, path and trail maintenance
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Planting, transplanting, plant propagation
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Plant identification, ecology, field trips, hands-on skill building
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Seed collection
Independent study, administration, and communication
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Research and preparation of an independent study presentation
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Detailed record keeping (plantings and moth project)
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Assist with garden-wide events, public programs, and retail garden shop logistics
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Interactions with colleagues, volunteers, staff, and public
Skills, Experience, Attributes, Education, and Certifications
The ideal candidate is passionate about ecology and eager to learn about ecological horticulture and native plants of New England. Strenuous manual labor, consistent with outdoor work in all types of weather, is expected and desired.
Physical Demands and Work Environment Factors
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:
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lift items weighing at least 50 lbs.
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stand or crouch for long periods of time
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may use repetitive wrist and hand motions involved in weeding, planting and general garden maintenance
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reach, with hands and arms
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use specific vision abilities (close vision and color vision)
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have some close visual contact with a computer monitor
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work outdoors in all weather conditions, from cold to hot, and raining to full sunshine.
Reasonable accommodations are provided during the summer months when excessive heat may be present, including breaks for water and shade or shifts in schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
To Apply
Please submit a letter of interest and resume (MS Word or PDF format, with your last name the first word of the file name), along with three references to Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture, [email protected], using the subject line “Farnsworth Horticulture Intern Application.”
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we anticipate interviews in late May into early June 2026.
