Horticulture Intern

Job Title:  Horticulture Intern

Location:  3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI, 53704, United States

Base Pay:  $15.00 / Hour

Job Category:  Horticulture, Plant Production, Landscape Architecture

Industry:  Public Horticulture, Botany, Horticulture

Employee Type:  Part Time LTE

Required Degree:  High school

Employee Status/Hours:  12 – 16 weeks, mid-May/June through mid-late August, 30 – 40 hrs. /week

Contact information

• Samantha Peckham
• speckham2@cityofmadison.com

APPLY HERE:  https://secure2.entertimeonline.com/ta/7818.careers?ShowJob=805456963

Description

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: Olbrich Botanical Gardens is home to 16 acres of outdoor display gardens and a 10,000 square foot tropical conservatory. In addition to being a top tourist attraction in Madison, the outdoor gardens include 20 unique specialty gardens and received the 2022 American Horticultural Society Garden Stewardship Award. Indoors, the tropical Bolz Conservatory exhibits an extraordinary collection of exotic plants and orchids complemented by colorful birds and koi. Olbrich is committed to a culture of sustainability and education so that everyone, including future generations, can experience and learn about the fascinating world of plants and gardens. Olbrich Botanical Gardens is operated through a public/private partnership between the City of Madison and the Olbrich Botanical Society, the non-profit organization that raises over $4 million each year to support the daily operation of the Gardens.

INCLUSION COMMITMENT: In pursuit of our mission to enrich lives and inspire harmony with the natural world, Olbrich Botanical Gardens is committed to creating an inclusive environment where every visitor, volunteer, and staff member is valued and feels they belong. With mindful intent and a dedication to continuous learning, we will work to remove barriers to inclusion through education, organizational improvements, and collaborative partnerships with our diverse community. Together, we celebrate the importance of plants and foster a sustainable, connected world.

Requirements

Olbrich’s horticulture internship offers enthusiastic students an opportunity to immerse themselves in the gardens and grow professionally alongside the horticulture staff and volunteers. Interns will work directly with horticulture staff in the outdoor gardens to gain valuable practical work experience in public horticulture. Individuals will learn all aspects of environmentally responsible horticulture through sustainable gardening practices during the gardening season and will be immersed in innovative and artistic garden designs and seasonal displays. This internship will include several paid all-day field trips to other gardens and horticultural enterprises. Interns will experience Olbrich during peak visitation times, by working approximately one weekend per month along with one of the three summer holidays. Interns will have the opportunity to hone their managerial skills by working with and occasionally supervising garden volunteers.

While in the outdoor gardens, interns work alongside staff in the Dry, Event, Gravel, Herb, Meadow, Perennial, Rain, Tower, Shade, Sunken, Thai and Wildflower gardens. Individuals work extensively with annual bed and container plantings, tropicals, aquatics, perennials, and woody plantings. Interns will also have an opportunity to work on annual displays with the horticulture staff on State Street, one of Madison’s popular restaurant and shopping districts. Interns may also assist with work in supporting greenhouses and plant production areas. 

Candidates interested in working with a creative, fun and hard-working team of professional horticulturists and volunteers are encouraged to apply!

The qualifications, work environment and essential duties listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee, with or without accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Qualifications: 

• Coursework and/or practical experience in horticulture, botany, landscape architecture, plant pathology, soils, agronomy, plant production, or related field preferred
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate effectively to work as a team with the horticulture staff and volunteers.
• Ability to follow policies and procedures as outlined by Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
• Willingness to submit personal information for a criminal background check, as well as the ability to successfully pass a criminal background check.
• Ability to commit to the work schedule, maintain adequate attendance, working weekend and holiday hours as required.

Work Environment: 

• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of conditions common in the upper Midwest, including but not limited to rain, cold, excessive heat and high humidity.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, work on the ground, climb and work off a 6’ ladder and bend and stand for up to 8 hours per day.
• Ability to work with and around plant protectants, including chemical and biological control agents.
• Ability to work in public spaces that may be busy, congested and noisy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to be tactful and courteous with garden visitors, volunteers and staff.
• Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions, including rainy, sunny, hot and humid conditions.
• Ability to perform manual and semi-skilled tasks for extended periods of time. 
• Ability to multi-task and complete repetitive tasks in a quality manner.
• Ability to safely use hand tools and small powered equipment typically used in routine garden maintenance, such as pruners, shovels, tillers, and mowers.
• Ability to safely operate a golf-style utility cart.
• Perform Related Work as Assigned.

The Organization has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Organization reserves the right to change this position description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Organization may deem appropriate.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

Summary

Department:  Horticulture
Reports to:  Outdoor Garden Staff
FLSA Classification:  Non-exempt
Location:  Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI

Employee Status/Hours:  12 – 16 weeks, mid-May/June through mid-late August, 30 – 40 hrs. /week

Compensation: $15.00 /hr.
Benefits: None

IMPORTANT: This position is hired strictly on the information provided in your application, resume, and questionnaire. A phone interview may be required.

Application Deadline: February 16, 2026

APPLY HERE:  https://secure2.entertimeonline.com/ta/7818.careers?ShowJob=805456963