Conservatory Intern

Job Description

OLBRICH BOTANICAL SOCIETY (OBS)
JOB TITLE: Conservatory Intern

Department: Horticulture
Reports to: Conservatory Staff
FLSA Classification: Non-exempt
Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI

Employee Status/Hours: 12 – 16 weeks, mid-May/June through mid-late August, 30 – 40 hrs. /week
Compensation: $15.00 /hr.
Benefits: none

Olbrich’s conservatory internship offers enthusiastic students an opportunity to immerse themselves into both the care and maintenance of a tropical landscape under glass in our 10,000 sq. ft. Bolz Conservatory, as well as Olbrich’s 11,000 sq. ft. production greenhouse. Interns will work directly with staff in the Bolz conservatory, greenhouses, and hardening off area to gain valuable practical work experience in public horticulture and greenhouse production. Individuals will learn all aspects of environmentally controlled horticulture, as well as experience collaborating on Olbrich’s Blooming Butterflies exhibit. The internship will include several all-day field trips to other gardens and greenhouses. Interns will experience Olbrich during peak visitation times, by working approximately one weekend per month along with one of the three summer holidays. Interns will have the opportunity to hone their managerial skills by working with and occasionally supervising volunteers.

While working in the Bolz Conservatory and production greenhouses, interns will work extensively with aroids, orchids and other plants from over 80 families. This Intern will also assist with work in the supporting tropical and orchid greenhouses and help produce material in the production house. This work will include propagating plants from seed and cuttings for use in the outdoor gardens, conservatory, floral shows and plant sales.

Candidates interested in working with a creative, fun and hard-working team of professional horticulturists and volunteers are encouraged to apply!

About Us

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is home to 16 acres of outdoor display gardens and a 10,000 square foot tropical conservatory. Indoors, the tropical Bolz Conservatory exhibits an extraordinary collection of exotic plants and orchids complemented by colorful birds and koi. Olbrich is committed to a culture of sustainability and education so that everyone – including future generations – can experience and learn about the fascinating world of plants and gardens. Olbrich Botanical Gardens is operated through a public/private partnership between the City of Madison and OBS, the non-profit organization that raises over $3 million each year to support the daily operation of the Gardens. Olbrich Botanical Gardens aspires to be a destination where all visitors, volunteers, and staff are valued and feel they belong. With conscious intent and continuous learning, Olbrich Botanical Gardens’ staff, volunteers, and board will address barriers to inclusion through education, operational changes, and partnerships with the community.

Duties & Responsibilities

Work Environment: The work environment and essential duties listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee, with or without accommodations, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Ability to work in an environment that mimics tropical conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, work on the ground, climb and work off a ladders, and bend and stand for up to 8 hours per day.
• Ability to work with and around plant protectants, including chemical and biological control agents.
• Ability to work around birds, fish, and insects including butterflies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to be tactful and courteous with garden visitors, volunteers and staff.
• Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions, including rainy, sunny, hot and humid conditions.
• Ability to perform manual and semi-skilled tasks for extended periods of time.
• Ability to multi-task and complete repetitive tasks in a quality manner.
• Ability to safely use hand tools and small powered equipment typically used in routine garden maintenance, such as pruners, shovels, tillers, and mowers.
• Ability to safely operate a golf-style utility cart.
• Perform Related Work as Assigned.

The Organization has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Organization reserves the right to change this position description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Organization may deem appropriate.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Education and Experience

Qualifications:
• Coursework and/or practical experience in horticulture, botany, landscape architecture, plant pathology, soils, agronomy, plant production, or related field preferred
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate effectively to work as a team with Olbrich staff and volunteers.
 Ability to follow policies and procedures as outlined by Olbrich Botanical Gardens and Olbrich Botanical Society.
 Willingness to submit personal information for a criminal background check, as well as the ability to successfully pass a criminal background check.
 Ability to commit to the work schedule, maintain adequate attendance, working weekend and holiday hours as required.

Application Instructions

How to Apply: To apply, please email the following items to Conservatory Curator, Colten Blackburn cblackburn@cityofmadison.com
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• OBS application
All applications materials can be found on our website (www.olbrich.org)