Horticulture Intern

Who We Are: 

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000 acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org. 

Posting Information: 

Salary/Hourly Rate: $16 - $17 

Hours per week: 40 

Job Classification: Nonexempt, Limited Term

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: April - November 

Location: Naumkeag, Stockbridge Massachusetts 

Housing: On-site Housing Provided

What You’ll Do: 

Your Impact: 

This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for a person with a passion for horticulture, plants, and historic landscapes. Join our expert team in maintaining Naumkeag, one of the premier public gardens in Massachusetts. Naumkeag, a gilded-age estate with restored gardens by landscape architect Fletcher Steele, is a National Historic Landmark preserved by the Trustees of Reservations. The position will work in all areas of the property, including formal gardens, greenhouses, a cut-flower garden, orchard, meadow, and woodland. 

The Role: 

As a Horticultural Intern, you will experience an 8-month hands-on horticultural program that offers early career professionals valuable on-the-job experience and mentorship by Naumkeag horticultural staff. You will gain valuable experience conducting various landscape and garden maintenance tasks throughout the property while participating in several educational activities throughout your internship.

Specifically, you’ll: 

• Perform various landscape and garden maintenance tasks such as but not limited to fine gardening, pruning, weeding, planting, lawn care, mulching, watering, tree and shrub care, recording phenology and plant records, propagation, and other property maintenance as required.  
• Work independently or with a team to accomplish tasks.  
• Assist with educational programming, seasonal events, and workshops.  
• Act as an ambassador for the Trustees (along with other staff and volunteers) at public events and other outreach opportunities  
• Write a daily Plant-of-the-Day Report
• Participate in guided plant identification walks and complete plant identification exams.
• Attend field trips to local and regional public and private gardens

This is a limited term, nonexempt position (40 hours/week), reporting directly to the Horticulturalist. 

What You’ll Need: 

Skills and Experience: 

• Experience working in gardens preferred. 

• Basic knowledge or experience with garden maintenance, horticulture, ecology, forestry, environmental studies, education, landscape design, or another related field.  
• Strong passion for learning about plants, garden maintenance, and garden history.

• Comfort speaking to and working with the public. 

• Willingness to work as part of a collaborative team and interact with diverse groups of people. 

• Ability to effectively work independently and unsupervised. 

• Comfort spending long amounts of time outdoors in all weather conditions (heat, rain, snow) and the ability to perform physically challenging work such as digging and lifting.  

• Ability to have an eye for detail and follow tasks through completion. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org!

Your Benefits:

• Sick time: Prorated by length of service 

• Vacation time: Prorated by length of service 

• 12 observed holidays, 3 floating 

• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees’ health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.  

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance 

• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave 

• Life Insurance  

• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.  

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org.

Salary : $16 - $17