At The Garden — Internships

Employment at the Chicago Botanic Garden

TITLE: Intern, Propagation (one year; one position available) – FILLED

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PURPOSE: To gain experience in the propagation stage of plant production.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties include assisting with the propagation of annuals, perennials, woody ornamentals, native habitat plants, tropicals, and floriculture crops grown in the production greenhouses and nursery. This propagation will include sowing seed, taking cuttings and divisions, and, depending on demand, grafting and budding. The intern will also assist in the aftercare of the propagules including watering, fertilizing, thinning, and repotting. Additional tasks will be researching propagation techniques, tracking propagation requests in a computer tracking system, and recording propagation scheduling. The intern will also assist other growers in the greenhouses and nursery on occasion when the need arises.

Education and interpretation are important facets of the day-to-day Garden operations. The intern will work closely with the Production staff and gain practical knowledge in the growing of native and nonnative taxa. Interns will also have the opportunity to get exposure to general Garden operations by attending Production staff meetings and intern meetings with guest speakers during the summer months. Interns can attend courses offered by the School of the Chicago Botanic Garden. All interns will present a 10-minute lecture on a topic of his or her choice to the horticulture division near the end of the summer program.

DEPARTMENT: Production

REPORTS TO: Propagator

SUPERVISES: Volunteers

COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS: Growers, Floriculturists, Nursery Supervisor, Laborers, and Seasonals

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Candidate should be available to work 12 months beginning in June and a graduate of or enrolled in a college horticulture program or a related field with an interest in greenhouse and nursery management. The ideal candidate will be flexible, able to work in a fast-paced environment, and possess good communication and interpersonal skills. Must have or be able to obtain an operator’s license for chemical applications. Must be able to lift and carry 25 lbs.