Job Description
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
Key Responsibilities: Key responsibilities of the
Horticulture Interns include, but are not limited to:
- 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
Qualifications and Skills: - 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
- Working with or managing volunteers, a plus
- 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
Physical Requirements 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
Apply: Would YOU like to join us and play an integral part at this exciting time for HF&G and add a competitive edge to your resume and experience?
Applications are due February 9, 2026. Qualified applicants should submit a r ésum é; letter of interest explaining your desire to pursue a career in horticulture or a related field and contact information for at least two references. Holden Forests & Gardens is an equal opportunity employer and values an authentic sense of belonging at all levels of the organization, including staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and visitors. HF&G believes that working toward an equitable culture that values all perspectives enriches the work environment, helping achieve our goal to build a greener and healthier Northeast Ohio. We are working to create and sustain a supportive environment and sense of belonging for people of all backgrounds. HF&G promotes an equitable approach in its hiring, retention, and promotion; in Board recruitment efforts; and in community partnerships and programming.
Job Tags
Permanent employment, Part time, Internship, Summer internship,