Horticulture Intern Spring 2025

Title: Horticulture Intern

Supervisor: Senior Director of Horticulture

Internship Timeframe: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 – Friday, May 30, 2025

About Butterfly Pavilion:

At Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate research, education, and conservation, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future.

Looking forward, we are committed to providing the most enriching experience for our audience, being recognized as a scientific authority, and being a leading educational resource on invertebrates.

Our Core Values are a large part of who we are as an organization:

• Make Science Cool
• Love What You Do
• Go Above and Beyond
• Lead Change
• Know Your Stuff
• Be Positive
• Welcome All

These aren’t just words, but words to live by here at Butterfly Pavilion.

Commitment:

• Up to 16 hours per week for the duration of the internship.
• Must be available for orientation on January 7th, 2025
• Must be available for final presentation of project on May 21st, 2025

Stipend: Unpaid; school credit can be earned for this internship in most cases.

Position Summary: Butterfly Pavilion is currently seeking a talented, enthusiastic individual to assist in our public horticulture programs as part of a team of experienced and hard-working staff and volunteers. This unpaid, academic internship will provide a well-rounded, hands-on educational experience in the field of zoological horticulture.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with staff and volunteers in order to learn about the design, maintenance, and interpretation of tropical and outdoor plant collections at Butterfly Pavilion. Work may include plant and landscape care, habitat restoration, educational programming, data collections, and record-keeping.
• Researches, executes, and presents an independent study project in any of the above fields.

Key Skills Learned:

• Philosophy and practice of zoological horticulture
• Philosophy and practice of habitat gardening and restoration
• Propagation techniques and trouble-shooting
• Integrated pest management
• Self-directed research project, including a written proposal and end-of-project presentation

Qualifications:

• Pursuing or hold a degree in biology, botany, horticulture, environmental sciences or related fields.
• Interest in public horticulture, especially zoological horticulture
• Basic computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets) and proficient in Microsoft Office.
• At least 1 year prior gardening experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Additional Requirements:

• Equipment: Must have access to personal laptop or computer with internet connection
• Must be available for orientation on January 7th, 2025
• Must be available for final presentation of project on May 21st, 2025
• Must have reliable transportation to and from Butterfly Pavilion
• Able to travel independently to various sites.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age

Training:

Successfully complete the following:

• Intern Orientation and All Team Training.
• All other training is in the field with fellow horticulture team members
• Horticulture program documents and materials

Work Environment / Physical Requirements:

While performing the responsibilities of this position, the following work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the position will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Work in high/low humidity, intense sunlight, heat, cold, wind, precipitation, uneven surfaces
• While performing the duties of this job, the team member is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles.
• The Horticulture Intern may have to occasionally run small machinery.
• Exposure to living invertebrates
• The Horticulture Intern should expect some exposure to mild chemicals such as rubbing alcohol, herbicides and vinegar.
• Use of hands, wrists and fingers, standing, walking, reaching with arms and hands, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting and carrying, digging and raking, repetitive motion.
• At Butterfly Pavilion, The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate, with occasional bursts of loud noise. While performing the responsibilities of this position, the team member is required to talk and hear. The team member is often required to sit and stand, use their hands and fingers, to handle/feel/grasp. The team member is occasionally required to reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The team member should be able to lift, carry and items up to 50 lbs.

Application Deadline: December 20th, 2024

How to Apply:

Butterfly Pavilion encourages people of all backgrounds to apply for open positions and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.

Fill out the form to the right and click “Apply for this Position” to start the application process. Must submit a cover letter and resume. Please no phone calls or walk-ins.

Note: An offer is contingent upon passing of a criminal background check.

For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.

https://butterflies.applicantpro.com/jobs/3563432-21049.html