Plant Records Curation Intern
Employment Type
Paid Internship (Full-time)Job Categories
Research & Science
Job Description
Are you a student who is passionate about plants and our environment, loves collecting data, and is committed to supporting the Gardens’ IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) goals? We’re looking for a Plant Records Curation Intern excited about inspiring meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature in one of the most beautiful settings in Maine.
See the full listing on our website: https://www.mainegardens.org/employment/
The Plant Records Curation Intern will gain hands-on experience in data recording, mapping, and imaging the Gardens’ living collections. With the opportunity to work throughout Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ diverse garden spaces and engage with plants daily, this intern will be immersed in the daily operations and deep project work that form the backbone of plant records work. This will include updating our plant records database and our accompanying web portal, Garden Explorer, thereby improving delivery of our living collections information to the public, staff, and volunteers, increasing the engagement and dissemination of educational content to these audiences.
Full-time, hourly, $16.00 per hour
Late May through Mid-August
Intern housing is available for a biweekly rate
Work schedule:
This is a twelve-week internship at 40 hours/week from late May to mid-late August. Flexible start and end date. The successful candidate is responsible for their transportation to and from the workplace.
Physical and environmental factors:
Approximate percentages of time tasks are performed in carrying out the essential functions of this position:
70% of the time bending/stooping, squatting, reaching above shoulder level, kneeling, hand/fingers used for repetitive motion, hands/fingers used for fine manipulation, hands/fingers used for firm grasping, head/neck in rotational movements, head/neck in extension movements, head/neck in flexing movements.
30% of the time in a sitting position.
The maximum load the employee will be required to lift/carry is 35 or 50 lbs. per Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Employee Manual.
About Us
At nearly 325 acres, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the largest public garden in New England. With two miles of hiking trails, 19 acres of ornamental and themed gardens featuring native plants of Maine and those suited to northern coastal conditions, nearly a mile of saltwater frontage, a children’s garden, a sensory garden, and so much more, there’s something for everyone. A true Maine experience, the Gardens is committed to connecting people to plants and nature, preserving the biodiversity of the Maine coast, and continuing to be a place accessible and welcoming to all. The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment where every member of our community is valued, respected, and appreciated. We acknowledge that a society is stronger, more resilient, and more beautiful when it is diverse. We are committed to identifying and striving to eliminate barriers that, historically, have prevented the full participation of communities most impacted by inequity.
Duties & Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Plant Science and Collections Specialist, and using various software and mapping equipment, the intern will:
· Assist with creating and installing accession tags throughout the living collections.
· Assist with photographing and mapping the living collections.
· Assist with adding new accession records of plant material to the plant records database.
· Assist with data recording and database updates for the living collections.
· Assist with creating display plant labels.
· Work collaboratively with a team of staff and volunteers.
Education and Experience
Coursework or training in plant science, botany, horticulture, or a related field.
Familiarity with the conventions of plant nomenclature.
Experience using databases, spreadsheets, and GIS is preferred but not required.
Commitment to working across the organization to support the integration of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) principles into Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ internal operations and its relationships with visitors and guests.