Summer Internship in Arboriculture

Vineland Tree Care is excited to offer a summer internship opportunity to 4-6 qualified candidates for the summer of 2025. This internship is intended for students pursuing a degree in Arboriculture, Urban Forestry, Forestry, Horticulture, or other Natural Resources fields. Vineland will work with interns to ensure that the program qualifies for any degree requirements.

This position will offer:
• Exposure to a career in the green industry.
• Opportunities to grow your knowledge of trees and the issues that affect them.
• Continuing education, including safety meetings and arboricultural science meetings to help prepare for future ISA Certifications.
• One-on-one mentorship and guidance from an experienced ISA Certified Arborist.
• Training on best practices for modern tree care.
• A likely full-time job offer upon completion of the internship, with the option to delay until after graduation.

Vineland is a family-owned business based in the Seward neighborhood of south Minneapolis. Founded in 2003, Vineland currently has just over 50 employees. Vineland is a rapidly growing company, with great opportunities for career advancement. We pride ourselves on maintaining a great work-life balance, while running a high-performing organization. We hold ourselves and each other to high standards, while providing the support needed to meet those standards.

This internship is a full-time position, with flexible start and end dates. The position will entail assisting with Vineland’s Plant Health Care and Consulting department. This experience will provide opportunities to utilize the Integrated Pest Management framework and perform a wide range of arboricultural services, including:
• Spraying trees for various insects and diseases like apple scab, needle and shoot blights, and Japanese beetles.
• Performing trunk injections for insects and diseases like emerald ash borer, Dutch elm disease, and oak wilt.
• Applying fertilizers and using air tools to improve soil structure and amend soil with organic matter and nutrients.
• Pruning small shrubs and ornamental trees for plant health, size management, and aesthetics.
• Assisting our ISA Certified Arborists with tree inventories and site assessments.

Summer Internship Job Description
SUMMARY: Responsible for knowing or learning plant, insect and disease identification, the life cycle of insects and diseases and how to administer best management practices.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Work with a team to perform plant health care.
• Recognize disease and insect problems of trees and woody plants.
• Maintain records of work performed.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Possession of a valid driver's license, with a driving record that is approved by our third-party insurance provider as you will be driving company vehicles.
• Have or obtain a DOT medical card.
• Have or obtain a MN Pesticide Applicator License (Vineland will provide training and any associated fees).
• Strong communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Possess strong plant identification skills.
• Safely maneuver hoses and equipment
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIORNMENT:
• Work involves considerable exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust and/or loud noises.
• Extensive physical activity. Requires strenuous physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects over 50 pounds.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require safety precautions and include the use of personal protective equipment.
• Work occasionally requires long hours, including some weekends as dictated by weather events and workload. A typical week is 40-45 hours.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an -exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.