Huntley Meadows Park Native Plant Intern

Position Title: Huntley Meadows Park Native Plant Internship 

Location: Huntley Meadows Park; 6901 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22310. 

Hours: May–August, approximately 40 hours per week Monday-Friday (telework not an option) 

• Start date: May, no later than May 27 
• End date: August, no later than August 31 

Salary: $16.50 per hour 

Overview: The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking a Native Plant Intern at Huntley Meadows Park (HMP) to be a part of one of the most highly regarded park systems in the country. HMP in Alexandria a 1560-acre park rich in natural resources, including wetlands, forest and meadows. HMP welcomes more than 200,000 annual visitors to the park. 

Duties: 

• Assist resource management crew with habitat management for wetlands, meadows, and forests.  
• Develop a new study or continue a current study at the park.  
• Develop a scientific report based on data collected using GPS and software.  
• Assist with vegetation classification, monitoring, and recording, including rare plant species and plants, trees and plant communities of significance.  
• Promote native and rare plant communities by controlling invasive exotic plants.  
• Opportunity to visit and work at the native plant propagation garden.  
• Write an article for FCPA social media, VNPS newsletter and FOHMP newsletter describing the summer internship. 
• Skill development: plant identification skills, natural community classification, GPS and software skills, project management skills, resume building, and completed project. 
• All other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Microsoft Office skills including Word and Excel.  
• Applicants must be enrolled in a two- or four-year or master’s program in natural resource management, biology, botany, or environmental science.  
• Ability to do moderate lifting (Up to 20lbs), walking and hiking on rough unpaved, or off-trail surfaces.  
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions and temperatures.  
• Ability to stand or sit for long periods to conduct field work or to perform office tasks.  
• Visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor; incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment.  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Completed botany coursework and/or previous field experience with flora. 

To Apply: Send resume to Christopher.King@fairfaxcounty.gov by March 27th, 2026 with the position you are applying for in the subject line.

Necessary Special Requirements: 

• The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.   

Note: This position may not exceed 900 hours per calendar year. Individuals in these positions are not eligible for benefits and are not eligible to earn leave or receive holiday pay.   

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.  

Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.