Summer Garden Intern

Hampton National Historic Site

Historic Hampton Inc/National Park Service

535 Hampton Lane, Towson, MD 21286

Summer Public Garden Intern 

Description of Work

Assist the planting and care of annuals, perennials, and shrubs in historic parterre gardens.  Work will primarily be in the parterre gardens but could extend to other areas of the property.  Intern will be trained by National Park Service horticulture staff and expected to work independently once skills are established.  Tasks include planting, mulching, watering, pinching, fertilizing, pruning, deadheading, and hand weeding.  Learning opportunities include practicing plant identification techniques, reviewing landscape management goals and strategies associated with caring for a historic public landscape, and observing integrated pest management practices including pest identification.

Requirements

Minimum of 18 years old.  Ability to work under physically challenging conditions, specifically: heat, rain, sun exposure, pollen, insects, and noise from power equipment AND be both self-directed and work alone while being a positive team member AND be able to complete bi-weekly timesheets and write brief synopsis of weekly work activities. Successful candidate would be considered an independent contractor through Historic Hampton, Inc., but working in the park supervised by NPS employees.

Requires frequent sitting, stooping, kneeling, standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools. 

Who Should Apply?

Anyone with interest or experience in horticulture, historic landscapes, or public gardens.  Prospective students, current students, and recent graduates of an academic institution with coursework in, or related to, horticulture, botany, environmental science, ecology, or natural resource management OR in continuing education classes associated with horticulture will be given preference.

Schedule

Approximately 9 weeks starting mid- to end of May, Monday-Friday, up to 20 hours per week; pay range from $16-$18/hour; flexibility with days/hours is possible.

To Apply

Resumes accepted until position is filled.  Send resume and cover letter describing your interest in horticulture and any pertinent education and experience to:

James Hogan, Horticulturist at james_hogan@nps.gov