Horticulture Summer Intern
The mission of the Houston Botanic Garden is to enrich life through discovery, education, and conservation of plants and the natural environment. The Garden strives to inspire all people to love plants and be good stewards of the natural world. The gardens include a global garden with arid, sub-tropical, and tropical plants; a culinary garden with permanent and seasonal displays; a family garden centered around a lagoon; a woodland event garden; wetlands; and a coastal prairie on a 132-acre site.
The Horticulture Summer Internship Program is a 10-12 week immersive experience for students or recent graduates that are pursuing or have recently obtained an Associate or Bachelor's degree in: horticulture, plant science, ecology, environmental studies, botany, biology or related field. The Intern will gain hands-on experience by working alongside HBG horticulturist professionals starting with a three-week introduction into public gardens followed by two, 5 week rotations throughout the garden and receive regular training from their mentors during the duration of the internship.
In addition to hands on skills, intern(s) will also work on a focused project that will enhance their research, problem solving, and professional skills. The Intern will be expected to present the results of their project in a public presentation at the end of the internship.
The ideal candidate is an energetic student interested in expanding their plant science knowledge and is interested in assisting in hands-on projects throughout the garden.
Main Job Responsibilities:
- Primarily work in cultivated gardens, plant records, and stewardship of natural ecosystems. Tasks may include weeding, planting, pruning, mulching, watering, staking, dividing, and transplanting plants, path maintenance, fertilizing, pest and disease control, and removal of invasive plant species on HBG grounds.
- Operate equipment and tools to safely and efficiently accomplish work, including but not limited to carts, skidsteers, pruners, loppers, weed eaters, chain-saws, blowers, etc.
- Operating field data collection equipment, plant id., data management, label assembly and other administrative tasks.
- Complete assigned project from inception to completion.
Qualifications and Experience Requirements:
- Must be a current student or have graduated within the past year pursuing/obtained a degree in plant science, agriculture, forestry, ecology, environmental studies, biology, botany, or related degree.
- Demonstrated passion for plants and the natural environment.
- Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions.
- Ability to take on physical work; frequent standing, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, reaching, carrying, lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 80 pounds.
- Ability to sit at a desk, research, and stay on task.
- Self-motivation, good interpersonal and organizational skills
- Willingness to work as part of team and show openness to others’ ideas.
- Patience and good problem-solving skills
Position Details:
- Salary range of $14 - $16/hr
- 40 hrs/week (Mon – Fri)
- 10-12 week assignment (June ’26 – August ’26)