Landscape Operations & Design Summer Internship

Cross Creek Nursery

22h

About The Position

This internship is built for students interested in how outdoor spaces are constructed, managed, and designed at scale. Interns will spend the majority of the summer in the field working with landscape crews and project leaders, followed by a focused design experience that ties hands-on work to planning and execution. Cross Creek is a multi-division, family-owned company with over 50 years of experience in landscape construction, grounds management, and horticulture. Interns will gain direct exposure to commercial and residential landscape operations in the Richmond area. Program Layout Weeks 1–3: Grounds Maintenance Operations Work alongside grounds management crews to learn daily operations, safety standards, equipment use, and site workflows. Participate in pruning, mulching, fertilization, plant identification, and routine property maintenance. Weeks 4–6: Landscape Construction & Installation Join landscape installation teams on active job sites. Assist with layout, soil preparation, plant placement, sod installation, and coordination between crews and materials. Observe how timelines, sequencing, and site conditions affect installations. Support project managers on patios, retaining walls, steps, and outdoor living projects. Learn site logistics, material staging, quality checks, and introductory irrigation or lighting concepts. Weeks 7–8: Design Process and Software Shadow designers during appointments. Learn SketchUp, AutoCAD, Dynascape and other design tools. Review client briefs and help develop early concepts. Weeks 9–10: Landscape Design Project Work with the design team to develop a planting and layout concept based on real-world constraints. Create digital drawings, plant lists, and a short presentation connecting field experience to design decisions. Start building a planting design with guidance. Select plants, create palettes, draft digital sketches, and consider cost, maintenance, and aesthetics. Key Learning Outcomes Understanding of landscape operations and jobsite workflow Exposure to construction sequencing and project coordination Applied plant knowledge in real installation settings Introduction to professional landscape design tools and process

Requirements

Current enrollment in a college or accredited academic program
Comfortable working outdoors in physically active conditions
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work on uneven terrain
Strong interest in landscape operations, construction, or design

Responsibilities

Work alongside grounds management crews to learn daily operations, safety standards, equipment use, and site workflows.
Participate in pruning, mulching, fertilization, plant identification, and routine property maintenance.
Assist with layout, soil preparation, plant placement, sod installation, and coordination between crews and materials.
Support project managers on patios, retaining walls, steps, and outdoor living projects.
Learn site logistics, material staging, quality checks, and introductory irrigation or lighting concepts.
Shadow designers during appointments.
Learn SketchUp, AutoCAD, Dynascape and other design tools.
Review client briefs and help develop early concepts.
Create digital drawings, plant lists, and a short presentation connecting field experience to design decisions.
Select plants, create palettes, draft digital sketches, and consider cost, maintenance, and aesthetics.