Intern, Outdoor Leadership Corps (Assistant Crew Leader)

Missouri Botanical Garden•St. Louis, MO

7d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a part-time temporary position working up to 28 hours a week from August 24, 2026, to December 18, 2026. The schedule is typically Tuesday-Thursday with an additional day in the office, and some Saturday workdays will be scheduled. In partnership with Great Rivers Greenway (GRG), this role is part of the Outdoor Leadership Corps, an education and workforce development program. The position focuses on controlling, maintaining, and restoring ecological areas along Greenways and at various GRG worksites throughout the greater St. Louis area. Duties include assisting with site management, horticulture, and restoration projects such as invasive species control, garden planting and maintenance, and community beautification. Greenway project locations may involve woodland restoration, prairie reconstruction, streambank restoration, and wetland restoration.

Requirements

Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent required.
Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written).
Requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals.
Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
Proficient experience using Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Access.
Ability to achieve First Aid and CPR certification upon hire.
Position requires extensive outdoor work.
Works at times with power equipment and/or carrying loads of up to 60 pounds.
Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing).
May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., step stools, etc.).
Requires extensive standing, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching for extended periods of time-- 75% or more of the workday is standing on feet.
Ability to perform physical labor working indoors and outdoors throughout day in all seasons.
Ability to work outdoors in temperatures over 100°F as well as temperatures below 0°F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed.
Works cooperatively with staff from all Garden departments across the main Garden and all remote sites.
Works cooperatively with community partners including Great Rivers Greenway staff and volunteers.
Works cooperatively with Visitors and members of the community.

Nice To Haves

Minimum one year related experience strongly preferred.
Strong plant identification skills and familiarity with invasive species and native flora of the lower mid-west preferred.
Demonstrated experience with project topics including: invasive species removal, native pollinator garden maintenance, community beautification, and environmental stewardship projects.
Experience with the safe use of landscaping equipment including loppers, shovels, hand-saws, cultivator, and more.
Experience with the use of computers for data recording and management.
Some college and/or professional training preferred.
An equivalent combination of education, skills and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Controls invasive plant species through the use of manual, mechanical, and/or chemical methods.
Participates in native garden, woodland, and stream restoration efforts, by planting native plants, removing invasive species, and maintaining natural areas.
Assists with tool prep and clean-up for all projects and workdays.
Assists with maintaining database metrics to track management activities.
Assists with regular site maintenance, operating manual and power equipment to maintain native gardens, restoration areas, and trails.
Assists during GRG community engagement events, providing correct information, processes, and positive interactions to community members.
Interacts with community members, volunteers, and other conservation professionals on a regular basis.
Assists with the facilitation of community beautification projects along GRG Greenways including picking up trash, removing graffiti, and other tasks.
Participates in planned professional development workshops and trainings.
Uses herbicides while following proper safety protocols under the supervision of designated Garden employees with a valid Missouri Commercial Pesticide Applicator license.
Uses herbicides while following proper safety protocols as directed by Conservation Education Instructor and Supervisor.
Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines, methods to reduce hazards.
Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
Meets expected attendance guidelines.
Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
Performs other duties as assigned.