Ferry Foundation Horticulture Intern

Holden Forests & Gardens•Cleveland, OH

3d•$14•Onsite

About The Position

Ferry Foundation Horticulture Intern Cleveland Botanical Garden Internship Opportunity: The Horticulture & Collections department at the Cleveland Botanical Garden is seeking summer interns. The Horticulture Interns will rotate through various display gardens and work with the horticulturists in the Costa Rican & Madagascar biomes. The Ferry Foundation Horticulture interns will gain practical, hands-on experience in sustainable landscape maintenance practices and procedures involving a wide variety of woody and herbaceous plants in a public garden setting. Additionally, all members of the Holden Forests & Gardens’ (HF&G) intern cohort will have the chance to participate in professional development, such as workshops, scientific lectures, networking, and field trip experiences. All interns will have the opportunity to develop and present their research at HF&G’s SEARCH symposium. This position is based at the Cleveland Botanical Garden campus in Cleveland, OH with occasional travel to the Holden Arboretum campus in Kirtland, OH. Position Details: Internship begins on May 19, 2026, flexibility in start date with academic scheduling needs Applications are due February 9, 2026 12-week internship 40 hours per week Pay $14.00/hour Low-cost housing at Holden Arboretum may be available Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents Open to undergraduate or recent graduates

Requirements

Support Holden Forests & Gardens’ mission, vision, and values
Demonstrate a passion for people and nature
Passion for connecting people with the wonder, beauty and values of trees and plants to inspire action for healthy communities along with a strong interest in natural resource management and conservation education
Pursuing or recently completed an undergraduate degree in Horticulture, Botany, Landscape Contracting, Landscape Architecture, or related field of study, preferred
Demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in horticulture or a related field
Previous experience with gardening of landscaping work is preferred
Excellent ability to communicate and interact with the general public
Strong communication, organizational skills, adaptability, and critical thinking skills, highly desired
Able to work well in a diverse team
Able to work independently when needed
An interest in working outdoors performing manual labor in all weather conditions
Familiarity with Microsoft 365 products, specifically Teams, Outlook (email and calendar), Word, Excel, and PowerPoint or the ability to learn
Applicants must have reliable transportation with the ability to get from one campus to another
A valid Driver’s License with acceptable driving record, required
Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation: Perform required tasks in all weather conditions
Ability to safely operate small-engine machinery e.g., brush cutter, weed-whip, push/riding mower, or a desire and ability to learn
Effective vision and hearing
Hand and arm dexterity
Walking and working on wet, uneven, slippery terrain
Occasionally lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs.
Kneeling, bending, stooping, grabbing, and reaching
Ability to hike up to 3-5 miles per day in variable terrain

Nice To Haves

Working with or managing volunteers, a plus

Responsibilities

Assisting with care of gardens, plant collections, and glasshouses
Cares for and maintains various woody and herbaceous plant species using sound and sustainable horticulture practices, including, but not limited to soil preparation, planting, watering, fertilizing, pest, and disease control, bed renovation, mulching, propagating, pruning, staking, transplanting, weeding, mowing, and edging within the confines of the gardens and glasshouses
Application of pesticides will be required using IPM principles
Work with supervisor to develop and complete an independent project which will be presented at the SEARCH symposium at the end of the internship
Other relevant duties as assigned