At The Garden — Internships

Employment at the Chicago Botanic Garden

TITLE: Plant Information Service Intern (unpaid) — FILLED

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Plant Information Service answers almost 40,000 garden-related questions per year through a walk-up window, telephone hotline, and e-mail. Horticulture specialists and master gardener volunteers diagnose and provide treatment options for disease, insect, and cultural problems, identify plants and insects, provide general gardening advice, plant recommendations, and sources to Garden visitors, Internet clients, and callers.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Gain experience in researching horticultural information, providing accurate information to gardening public, staff, and horticulture professionals, and providing excellent customer service.

Disseminate information via e-mail, phone, and in person
Interact with team of approximately 100 volunteers
Research office resources
Assist with coordination of volunteer schedules
Assist with office and file organization

QUALIFICATIONS:
Current horticulture student or an associate degree or higher in horticulture, plant science,
soil science, or similar subject is required.

Horticulture experience required
Detail oriented
Self-motivating
Must be able to use an innovative approach to problem solving
Excellent internet searching and computer skills
Good organizational skills and able to utilize work time efficiently
Good communication and interpersonal skills and comfortable interacting with diverse people
Must be flexible and able to work in a fast-paced environment
Enjoys working with people

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
20 hours per week through summer 2011, flexible, may include some weekends

CONTACT: Kathie Hayden at