The Holden Arboretum has a Conservation Internship opportunity beginning in April or May through September 2012. To qualify you must be a Horticulture major or in a related field of study in an accredited, two or four-year college program and have an interest in conservation. Recent graduates of such programs who are looking for hands-on work experience may also be considered. Applicants should have some background in the native flora of the eastern United States, be physically fit, and work well with others.
The Conservation Intern typically works with Holden’s Natural Areas Manager, but may be assigned to work with others including Conservation seasonal workers removing invasive exotic plants from natural areas. Educational activities include at least one excursion with the Northeast Ohio Naturalists (NEON) group from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Responsibilities
- The Conservation Intern often assists seasonal workers in removing invasive exotics and applying herbicide, for which training on safety equipment and special clothing is provided. Anyone with objections to working around herbicides should consider this position carefully.
- Annual monitoring of heritage species involves examining existing populations of rare plant species, many of which are listed on the state of Ohio’s endangered species list. Work includes carrying equipment into the field, marking plants with a tag or other accepted study method, and recording data on bloom, seed set, and plant status.
- Assist the Conservation Biologist with deer exclosure vegetation surveys, deer population surveys, exotic earthworm and other biological surveys.
- Assist with natural areas restoration projects, which may include: collecting and planting seeds; cutting, propagating and maintaining native plants; transplanting, pruning, and weeding; and general maintenance.
- The intern participates either entirely or in part in Holden’s annual, mid-summer, weekend family camp out hosted and designed by Conservation staff to provide adults and children with a greater appreciation for the environment. Local experts are recruited to help the participants catch, identify and release different species of animals and plants.
Cautions and Essential Functions
- Interns are regularly exposed to poison ivy and poison sumac, which are common in natural and garden landscapes
- Exposure to biting insects is unavoidable
- Hiking boots with good ankle support are suggested due to travel off-trail, on slopes, or on unimproved trails which are often muddy and/or uneven
- Waterproof rubber boots and a rain coat/suit are recommended for wet conditions
- Perform required tasks in all weather conditions in temperatures ranging from 32-100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Good vision and hearing
- Ability to understand basic instructions using the English language
- Hand and arm dexterity
- Occasional lifting and carrying of up to 25 pounds
- Kneeling, bending, stooping, grabbing, and reaching
- Work with and around herbicides and deer repellent
To apply, applicants should send their resumes to The Holden Arboretum, Attention: Conservation Internship Resumes, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, OH 44094
Resumes can also be submitted by e-mail with Conservation Internship Resumes in the subject line or online. |
The Holden Arboretum has a Horticulture Internship opportunity for the period April through September 2012. This internship offers students or recent grads the opportunity to experience various gardening responsibilities such as planting, transplanting, dividing, and maintaining a variety of woody and herbaceous plants.
Pruning, deadheading, weeding, mulching, watering, fertilizing, and pest control are but a few of the other activities an intern may perform. In addition, on-the-job instruction, educational sessions and field trips are available as complements to academic study.
To qualify for a Horticulture Internship, you must be a Horticulture major or in a related field of study in an accredited, two or four-year college program. Recent graduates of such programs who are looking for hands-on work experience may also be considered.
Cautions and Essential Functions
- Interns may be exposed to poison ivy and poison sumac, which are common in natural and garden landscapes
- Exposure to biting insects is unavoidable
- Waterproof footwear with good ankle support and is suggested due to travel on off-trail, on wet, uneven, slippery terrain
- Perform required tasks in all weather conditions, which may include working in the rain or in temperatures ranging from 32-100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Good vision and hearing
- Ability to understand basic instructions using the English language
Hand and arm dexterity
- Occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds
- Kneeling, bending, stooping, grabbing and reaching
- Climbing ladder
- Work with and around herbicides and deer repellent
- Operate motorized garden equipment (e.g. mowers) and maintenance vehicles (e.g. golf carts and gators)
To apply, applicants should send their resumes to The Holden Arboretum, Attention: Horticulture Internship Resumes, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, OH 44094
Resumes can also be sent by e-mail with the subject line of Horticulture Internship Resumes or submitted online.
Online to https://home.eease.com/recruit/?id=1091281to resumes@holdenarb.org |
