OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS

 

HORTICULTURE INTERNSHIP

Apply by:   February 18, 2008

Duration:   3-5 months, starting April or May  

Hours:   5 positions (40 hrs/week), 1 position (20 hrs/week)

Compensation:   $9.00/hour

Number available:  6

Contact:   Jeff Epping, Horticulture Director

E-mail:   jepping@cityofmadison.com  

Telephone: (608) 246-4683  FAX: (608) 245-5790

                        or

Contact:  Samara Eisner, Horticulturist

E-mail:  seisner@cityofmadison.com

Telephone:  (608) 246-3686  FAX:  (608) 245-5790

 

   

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a nationally recognized 16-acre public display garden located in Madison, Wisconsin – a city annually recognized for its innovation and livability. Olbrich received the American Public Gardens Association and Horticulture Magazine’s Award of Garden Excellence in 2005, an annual honor bestowed upon 1 of over 500 North American public gardens. Olbrich offers a unique opportunity for individuals possessing a passion for the world of horticulture and the enthusiasm and drive to further their gardening careers.

 

Interns work directly with the horticulture staff in the outdoor gardens and nursery to gain valuable practical work experience in botanical garden maintenance. Individuals will learn all aspects of environmentally responsible horticulture through sustainable gardening practices during the course of the gardening season and will be immersed in innovative and artistic garden designs and seasonal displays.  

The interns work in all of the outdoor display gardens including the Event, Herb, Children’s Vegetable, Meadow, Perennial, Rock, Rose, Shade, Sunken, Thai and Wildflower gardens. Individuals work extensively with annual bed and container plantings, tropicals, aquatics, perennials, and woody plantings.  Two paid all-day field trips to other innovative gardens and horticultural enterprises is included. Interns will experience Olbrich’s enthusiastic guests during peak visitation times, by working approximately one weekend per month and one of the three summer holidays.  Interns will have the opportunity to hone their managerial skills by occasionally supervising and working with garden volunteers.  Individuals will also gain valuable experience by conducting visitor garden tours several times during the season, after becoming familiar with the Garden. 

Preferred applicants are majoring in or graduated from a horticulture or plant science-related scholastic program and must be able to work in all weather conditions. Candidates interested in working with a creative, fun and hard-working team of professional horticulturists, fellow interns and dedicated volunteers should submit an application (includes a brief questionnaire), resume, and college transcripts (unofficial acceptable) by February 18, 2008.  Incomplete or late submittals will not be considered for an internship. Download an application or contact Jeff Epping or Samara Eisner.  Feel free to be green and submit the above electronically.

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