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Jobs & Internships

Horticultural Assistant and Weekend Caretaker

The North Carolina Botanical Garden, Horticulture Department, is seeking a part time horticultural assistant to work 4 days a week including weekends.

Closing Date: February 20, 2012

Description and Principle Functions: This position involves assisting horticultural staff during the week and caring for the gardens, nursery, and plant sale on weekends. Weekdays will be spent performing routine maintenance on plant collections and assisting with nursery operations. Weekends will be spent caring for plants in the nursery, tending the plant sale, and performing tasks necessary to keep the Garden safe and welcoming.

Qualifications: Experience in horticulture, enthusiasm for year-round outdoor work, the ability to work with the public in a helpful and welcoming way, and attention to detail are required. Nursery and greenhouse experience and knowledge of southeastern native plants are desired.

Terms: 4-day work week including Saturday and Sunday is preferred. This is a long-term temporary part-time position and does not include benefits. Weekday hours 8 - 5, Saturday hours 9 - 6, Sunday hours 10 - 6.

To Apply: Application instructions are posted on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Human Resources website: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/1257. This is the only way to apply for this position; do not call or email the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

2012 Conservation Internship

Description and Principle Functions: The Conservation Intern will primarily work to further the restoration and conservation efforts of the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Battle Park and the Piedmont Nature Trails. This internship is a great introduction to Natural Area Management and is ideal for UNC undergraduates, from rising sophomores through rising seniors studying biology, environmental science, park management, or related environmental majors. The internship provides hands-on experience working in urban natural areas and in conservation and involves working outdoors with staff and volunteers to further the Botanical Garden’s management plans, including removing invasive exotic plants and constructing/maintaining pedestrian trails. The intern will also learn about local botany, ecology, trail maintenance, park management, and conservation issues, as part of an education-, research-, and conservation-oriented public entity. The intern will also assist with the management of other Botanical Garden properties as time allows. With prior approval, this internship can be paired with ENST 206 for academic credit.

Main tasks include:

  • Restoring managed lands by removing invasive exotic plants with tools and using appropriate herbicides;
  • Maintaining pedestrian trail quality;
  • Working with and leading volunteer groups;
  • Completion of an intern project;
  • General support activities, such as grounds maintenance at historic Forest Theatre, installing benches along trails, participating in monthly staff meetings, developing interpretive information, assisting with strategic planning, and providing information to educate visitors;
  • Monitoring the location and health of specific plant populations.

Qualifications: A valid driver's license, ability to work with people, a passion for the environment and the Botanical Garden's mission, and experience working outdoors in ecological restoration activities, trail building, or in a conservation capacity. Experience/Knowledge of ArcGIS software is beneficial, though not required.

Terms and Pay Rate: This internship position is a part-time to full-time, 30 - 40 hours per week position, depending on scheduling and funding. This is a temporary position, working Monday through Friday, and occasionally for special events on weekends, for a ~ 12-week period in the summer of 2012, from approximately mid-May to mid-August. Hourly pay based on experience ($10 per hour minimum).

To Apply: Send a resume and cover letter, by February 28, 2012, to
Stephen Keith, Battle Park Curator
North Carolina Botanical Garden
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
CB # 3375
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375
Or you may send the same via email.

Applications are reviewed as received. Hiring preference will be given to UNC students.

2012 Horticulture Internship

The North Carolina Botanical Garden is seeking a motivated, enthusiastic UNC student interested in horticulture, southeastern native plants, and conservation to work with the Horticulture Department during the summer of 2012.

Description and Principle Functions: The primary focus of this internship is on garden maintenance. Other regular activities include plant propagation, care for plants in our nursery and greenhouse, and support for our daily plant sale. Occasional activities include seed collection and processing and invasive exotics removal. A secondary but important goal is to learn about sustainable gardening methods and about the southeastern flora.

Qualifications: The ability to perform physical labor out of doors despite summer temperatures is necessary. Experience with plants and gardening and a strong environmental ethic are preferred though not required.

Terms: This paid internship is a full-time, 40 hours per week temporary position, working Monday through Friday, for a 10- to 12-week period in the summer of 2012, from approximately mid-May to mid-August. Housing is not provided.

To Apply: Send a resume and cover letter, by February 28, 2012, to
Chris Liloia, Habitat Gardens Curator
North Carolina Botanical Garden
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
CB # 3375
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375
Or you may send the same via email.

2012 DeBerry Horticulture Internship—Coker Arboretum

We are seeking a motivated, enthusiastic UNC student interested in maintenance of a historic garden, southeastern native plants, conservation, and gardening to work with the Horticulture Department of the North Carolina Botanical Garden during the summer of 2012.

Description and Principle Functions: The DeBerry Intern will work to further the restoration and conservation efforts of the North Carolina Botanical Garden in the Coker Arboretum. The primary focus of this internship is garden maintenance. Regular activities include weeding, watering, mowing, path maintenance, plant propagation, care for plants in our gardens and other general care of our 5-acre arboretum. Occasional activities include seed collection and processing and invasive exotic species removal. A secondary but important goal is to learn about sustainable gardening methods and about the southeastern flora. The intern will also have the opportunity to learn about local botany, ecology, and conservation issues, as well as about working with an education-, research-, and conservation-oriented public entity.

Qualifications: The ability to perform physical labor out of doors despite summer temperatures is necessary. Experience with plants and gardening and a strong environmental ethic are preferred though not required.

Terms: This paid internship is a full-time, 40 hours per week, temporary position, working Monday through Friday, for a 10- to 12-week period in the summer of 2012, from approximately mid-May to mid-August. Housing is not provided.

To Apply: Send a resume and cover letter, by February 28, 2012, to
Margo MacIntyre, Coker Arboretum Curator
North Carolina Botanical Garden
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
CB # 3375
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375
Or you may send the same via email, stating "DeBerry Horticulture Internship" in the subject line.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity employer.

Last updated by Laura Cotterman on January 31, 2012 at 10:42:14 am.