Horticultural 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, Seasonal 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: May - August 

Location: Long Hill, Beverly, MA 

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact: 

Do you love nature and being outdoors? 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 the historic Sedgwick Gardens and landscape at Long Hill, one of the premier garden properties in Massachusetts. We are seeking an enthusiastic college student or recent college graduate that is studying in a related field to perform various gardening and landscape maintenance tasks and to assist with educational programming, events, and workshops. 

Long Hill is a historic, diverse 114-acre property which includes the ten-acre Sedgwick Gardens, apple orchard, Horticultural Learning Center with greenhouse and nursery, wildflower meadows, Discovery Garden, and is surrounded by 80 acres of woodland containing two miles of trails. The Trustees are currently focused on their public gardens, educating, and engaging the public, and restoring the ecological health of properties. Long Hill is currently undergoing an exciting public garden transformation. 

The Role:

As a Horticultural Intern, you will experience a 12-14-week summer “hands-on” horticultural program that offers students and early career professionals valuable on-the-job experience, classes, and mentorship by Long Hill horticultural staff. In addition, you will gain valuable experience conducting various landscape and garden maintenance tasks throughout the property, including weekly interaction with volunteers, students, and other horticultural staff. You will also work with small groups of volunteers and lend support for events and other programs. 

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.  

• Coordinate weekly work activity with Senior Horticulturist and staff.  

• Work independently or with a team to accomplish tasks.  

• Assist with educational programming, events, and workshops.  

• Maintain Water Gardens  

• Provide Livestock care (chickens and ducks)  

• Act as an ambassador for the Trustees (along with other staff and volunteers) at public events and other outreach opportunities  

• Work with the Senior Horticulturist to identify and pursue a professional development interest during the internship 

This is a seasonal, nonexempt position (40 hours/week) reporting directly to the Horticulturist.

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Required: 

• Experience working in gardens. 
• Basic knowledge or experience with garden maintenance, horticulture, ecology, forestry, environmental studies, education, landscape design or another related field.  
• 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 a range of climates and the physical ability to perform physically challenging work such as digging and lifting.  
• Attending college or recent graduate. 
• Ability to have an eye for detail and follow tasks through to 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: Mass Sick Leave Accrual 

• 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.