Urban Gardening Internship – Homegrown Program | Summer 2026

Phipps Conservatory • Pittsburgh, PA

5d

About The Position

Phipps Conservatory is seeking Urban Gardening Interns to support its Homegrown program. Interns will work directly with staff to install gardens and increase community access to fresh produce, promote better food choices, and improve the overall health of families and children. The internship involves hands-on work in community gardens and visiting resident homes to provide guidance, resources, and support for their gardening efforts.
This full-time, paid internship consists of the intern working 40 hours/week from May-August 2026. Interns will likely spend 3-4 days/week in the community performing install projects. Candidates must be available to work weekdays from 8:00am – 5:00pm and have flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed. The internship begins the week of May 4th.

Requirements

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong planning skills and forward thinking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work with the public and co-workers in a pleasant and courteous manner.
• Physical ability to perform manual labor in various weather conditions (heat, cold, rain), including the ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs, and to stand, walk, bend, and kneel for extended periods.
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions (particularly heat and humidity) is expected.
• Mental effort: reading, writing, analyzing and visualizing.
• Sensory requirement: ability to communicate and respond to staff, volunteers and public in a friendly and fair manner.
• Strong work ethic in all areas of job performance.

Nice To Haves

• Individuals with previous experience, interest, or coursework in areas such as Gardening, Landscape Architecture, Community Engagement, Urban Affairs/Planning, Sustainability, or related fields are encouraged to apply.
• Hands-on experience with landscaping or vegetable gardening is preferred, along with an enthusiasm for community engagement and working outdoors.

Responsibilities

• Engage community members through various outreach activities to share information about Homegrown’s mission and services.
• Assist with projects and garden installations at households across Hazelwood, Hill District, Homewood, Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, and East Hills.
• Prepare and organize gardening tools, supplies, and materials to support daily operations.
• Remove existing sod and prepare ground surfaces for planting and cultivation.
• Unload, transport, and distribute soil and landscaping materials across project sites.
• Ensure proper site maintenance through routine clean-up and organization.
• Work in community garden spaces (i.e. Homewood Brushton-YMCA) alongside Phipps Master Gardeners to grow vegetables and fruit for donation.
• Assist with preparation and distribution of the Homegrown newsletter.
• Perform other activities and duties as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed