Horticulture Intern

Bonnet Springs Park•Lakeland, FL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Program Purpose: The Horticulture Intern will work to increase their knowledge about the development, protection, and enhancement of the native plants at Bonnet Springs Park through on the job experience with our Horticulture team. The ideal candidate should currently be enrolled in a Horticulture program at an accredited university and be ready to demonstrate a positive attitude, willingness to apply themselves to assigned work and responsibilities, and creatively apply their knowledge to projects within the park. Essential Responsibilities: Manages the plant communities within the BSP Grounds, Gardens, Greenhouse and Butterfly House including: planting, watering, weeding and trimming as needed. Develop manual skills – use of company equipment and learn techniques used throughout the park Identify the many native plants on property and create a listing to make plants easily identifiable for volunteers/guests/fellow team members assisting with various projects. Confers with leadership to report conditions, plan planting and harvesting schedules and to discuss changes in fertilizer, herbicides or cultivating techniques. Recognize signs of plant illness and brainstorm solutions to improve plant conditions and prevent further instances of such Tasked with creating a pest identification guide to better understand harmful vs helpful insects Works to problem solve potential issues throughout the park but with great focus being on mitigation of soil erosion in plant beds and surrounding areas Ensures weed control in all of the plant beds and exhibits Completes duties such as, cultivation, harvesting, maintenance or altering Greenhouse environmental conditions Makes recommendations on new plants for the Greenhouse with a plan showing the sustainability of the plants and how they could make a positive economic impact to the park. Ensures the cleanliness and “show-ready” look of the greenhouse Assists with designing, budgeting and planting seasonal or annual plant bed rotations, designs, and exhibits Assists with maintaining the population of butterflies in the exhibit through natural process and plant cultivation Works with volunteers, developing long-term productive relationships Ensures the cleanliness and “show-ready” look of the greenhouse Maintain positive communications with all park visitors. Essential Functions: Conducts all business in a moral and ethical manner leaving no room to question the integrity of the park or its staff Completes daily activities as assigned by the Horticulture Supervisor. Maintains a working knowledge of general and departmental safety procedures. Attends safety training programs and works to earn specific certifications as needed. Assists with implementation and monitoring programs that assure a safe facility and work environment that is in compliance with all appropriate regulations--Ergonomics, Emergency Responses, Injury and Illness Prevention, and Hazard Communications Programs. Performs additional duties as assigned

Requirements

Pass a background check and mandatory drug test
Must possess a valid driver’s license and be insurable through the park’s insurance carrier
Ability to walk around in a 168-acre park
Must have good people skills and be comfortable dealing with the public

Nice To Haves

Enrollment in a program of study for horticulture, botany, natural sciences, or a related field is preferred.
One to two years of education and experience Botanical, nature center and/or native landscaping is preferred.
Knowledge of Florida native plants and plant maintenance highly desirable
Knowledge of transplanting techniques and native plant production is desirable.
Possess planning and organization skills with attention to detail and ability to multi-task, prioritize, and follow-through
Must be willing and able to work varied and long shifts including holidays, weekends, and events
Outstanding personal communication skills, ability to interact and communicate effectively and collaborate with their team, co-workers, community partners, donors, and agency contractors

Responsibilities

Manages the plant communities within the BSP Grounds, Gardens, Greenhouse and Butterfly House including: planting, watering, weeding and trimming as needed.
Develop manual skills – use of company equipment and learn techniques used throughout the park
Identify the many native plants on property and create a listing to make plants easily identifiable for volunteers/guests/fellow team members assisting with various projects.
Confers with leadership to report conditions, plan planting and harvesting schedules and to discuss changes in fertilizer, herbicides or cultivating techniques.
Recognize signs of plant illness and brainstorm solutions to improve plant conditions and prevent further instances of such
Tasked with creating a pest identification guide to better understand harmful vs helpful insects
Works to problem solve potential issues throughout the park but with great focus being on mitigation of soil erosion in plant beds and surrounding areas
Ensures weed control in all of the plant beds and exhibits
Completes duties such as, cultivation, harvesting, maintenance or altering Greenhouse environmental conditions
Makes recommendations on new plants for the Greenhouse with a plan showing the sustainability of the plants and how they could make a positive economic impact to the park.
Ensures the cleanliness and “show-ready” look of the greenhouse
Assists with designing, budgeting and planting seasonal or annual plant bed rotations, designs, and exhibits
Assists with maintaining the population of butterflies in the exhibit through natural process and plant cultivation
Works with volunteers, developing long-term productive relationships
Ensures the cleanliness and “show-ready” look of the greenhouse
Maintain positive communications with all park visitors.
Conducts all business in a moral and ethical manner leaving no room to question the integrity of the park or its staff
Completes daily activities as assigned by the Horticulture Supervisor.
Maintains a working knowledge of general and departmental safety procedures.
Attends safety training programs and works to earn specific certifications as needed.
Assists with implementation and monitoring programs that assure a safe facility and work environment that is in compliance with all appropriate regulations--Ergonomics, Emergency Responses, Injury and Illness Prevention, and Hazard Communications Programs.
Performs additional duties as assigned