Horticulture Intern (Summer)

Job Description

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.

About Us

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, subtropical, 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.

Duties & Responsibilities

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, skid steers, 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.

Education and Experience

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.

Additional Information

Ideal Candidates will also possess:
-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)

Application Instructions

Application Procedure:

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to hr@hbg.org.
We will contact those candidates who most closely match our requirements.

Thank you for your interest!