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Seasonal Gardener interns

(Horticulture)

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Paid Internships

~The 132 acre Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park serves over 600,000 visitors annually and will celebrate its 20^th Anniversary in April 2015.  The Horticulture intern program will provide students within a biological sciences curriculum an opportunity to learn from and work along side the professional horticulture staff while experiencing multiple aspects of a public garden and sculpture park.

We pursue local and out-of-state college and university students to fill 3 types of positions offered in this program; Seasonal Gardener I, II, III with placement based on individual academic and professional experience.  All p[ositions are temporary hourly positions during the months of may through August.

We offer a beautiful working environment in SW Michigan with on the job training and experience in multiple aspects of public gardening are all part of the summer experience at Frederik Meijer gardens & Sculpture Park!

Positions Available:

·         Seasonal Gardener (intern):  entry level with little to no green industry experience, currently enrolled in a green industry field of study.

·         Seasonal Gardener II (intern):  requires some work/hands on experience working in some facet of the green industry with a green industry field of study.

·         Seasonal Gardener III (intern):  Usually a junior, senior or graduate level student with a strong academic understanding of horticulture/green industry, related studies, strong experience working in the field with some volunteer and supervisory experience.

Position Overview:

These are temporary, hourly, seasonal positions.  The Gardener (intern) will assist with the maintenance of inddor and outdoor gardens and displays.  The work schedule will include a rotation of weekends and holidays and involve some greenhouse, grounds maintenance and landscaping responsibilities.  40 hours per week (up to 12 – 16 weeks).

Responsibilities:  (include but not limited to)

·         Work with permanent horticulture staff to coordinate and carry out daily tasks.

·         Ability to operate power equipment and machinery

·         Supervise, train, lead volunteers & assist Guests

·         Assist with maintenance and installation of indoor and outdoor gardens under the supervision of the horticulture staff (weeding, watering, planting, etc.)

·         Assist with indoor and outdoor exhibits and displays as needed

·         Work a rotation of some evenings, weekends, holidays

·         Ability to carry out daily duties with limited supervision.  Some lifting involved.

·         Perform other reasonable related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management staff as required

Qualifications:

·         Valid Driver’s License & exceptional driving record required

·         Current University/College student in the biological sciences

·         Good communication, problem solving & interpersonal skills

·         GIS and/or irrigation experience a plus

·         Customer Service, supervisory & public gardening experience helpful but not required

·         Those seeking College/University ‘internship’ credits as a graduation requirement will be given priority

Please submit your resume, letter of interest & references via email to:

Edward McKee, Manager of outdoor Horticulture at – emckee@meijergardens.org

OR

Wendy Pektunus, Manager of Indoor Horticulture at – wpektunus@meijergardens.org

Please visit our website at: http://www.meijergardens.org

The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is an EOE.

All candidates are required to submit to our background, DMV and drug screening process.