U.S. National Aboretum Internships

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service

U.S. National Arboretum 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002

Phone: (202) 245-2726

www.usna.usda.gov

2016 HORTICULTURE INTERNSHIPS

The U.S. National Arboretum is one of the premier arboretums in the country, just 2 miles from the U.S. Capitol. Horticulture

interns work in one or more of the National Arboretum’s premier gardens or collections. The daily duties of an intern are

complemented with an internship project which is presented to staff, volunteers, and stakeholders at the end of the internship.

In addition, interns participate in regularly scheduled professional development opportunities and educational field trips.

Description: Interns are supervised by the National Arboretum’s curators and horticulturists.

Internships are 3 months to one year long and will begin in spring 2016. All internships are

paid positions by either an hourly wage or stipend, depending upon position. College credit

may be arranged by the student and is encouraged. There are full-time and part-time

internships available.

Qualifications: Applicants need to have either completed course work or have acquired

practical experience in horticulture or a related field. Basic gardening skills, interest in plants,

and the ability to work independently are essential.

Duties & Working Conditions: Interns will be responsible for typical duties of working in a public garden by assisting staff

in the development and maintenance of the plant germplasm collections. Duties include general gardening tasks that provide

proper environmental conditions, including watering, mowing, mulching, and weeding. In addition, procedures for maintaining

proper greenhouse conditions will be stressed, including correct nutritional regimens, and environmental variables. Assists staff

with updating records and labels of plants in collections. Internships will involve heavy lifting, repetitive tasks, and exposure

to extreme heat and humidity.

Interns will be assigned to one or more of the following areas:

Asian Collection features plants collected from the rich floras of China, Japan, and Korea.

Azalea Collection features cultivated azaleas in a wooded setting.

Boxwood Collection is one of the most complete collections of boxwood in the world.

Conifer Collection highlights hundreds of varieties of conifers.

Dogwood Collection features more than 100 varieties and species of Cornus in a naturalistic setting.

Fern Valley Native Plant Collection features plants native to Eastern USA in woodland and meadow settings.

Friendship Garden is an innovative landscape that includes woody plants, perennials, ornamental grasses, and

bulbs designed for year-round interest.

National Herb Garden is the largest designed herb garden in the nation that includes annual, perennial, and

woody herbal plants.

Introduction Garden displays new plants to the gardening public, including new National Arboretum

introductions.

To apply: Please send a cover letter indicating availability and interest areas, resume, references, and transcripts

(unofficial are acceptable) via email to [email protected].

Questions? Contact the internship office at (202) 245-4563 or [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]




Phone: (202) 245-2726

www.usna.usda.gov

2016 RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS

Description: The mission of the U.S. National Arboretum is to enhance the

economic, environmental, and aesthetic value of ornamental plants through

research, conservation, and display. Pending available funding, the Floral

and Nursery Plants Research Unit may have several research internships

available this summer in areas such as molecular biology, plant pathology,

plant breeding, horticulture, and production. Interns would be located in

Beltsville, MD or at the Arboretum in northeast Washington, DC. Interns are

assigned to a particular area within the arboretum. All participate in regularly

scheduled educational programs and field trips, work on independent projects

that benefit the arboretum, and are supervised and mentored by the

arboretum's professional staff. All internships are paid positions by either an

hourly wage or stipend, depending upon position.

We can also offer internships and mentoring as described above for qualified

students who are able to provide their own funding. For all Research

Internships, college credit may be arranged by the student and is encouraged.

Qualifications: Applicants need to have either completed at least 24 hours of relevant course work or have

acquired one year of practical experience in a plant production or laboratory setting. Experience in horticulture,

plant science, or laboratory work and the ability to work independently are very important.

Duties & Working Conditions: These positions are located in the Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit in

Beltsville, MD, or at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. Depending on the project, duties could

include plant propagation, seed germination, pollinations, transplanting, DNA/RNA extraction and analysis,

sequencing, PCR, and other laboratory, greenhouse, or nursery procedures.

To apply: Please send a cover letter stating your educational goals and research interests, resume, references,

and transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) via email to [email protected]. Please indicate

whether you require compensation or whether you will be funded through another source.

To receive first consideration, please apply before February 14th.

Questions? Contact the internship office at (202) 245-4563 or [email protected].





Phone: (202) 245-2726

www.usna.usda.gov

2016 BONSAI INTERNSHIP

Description: This internship will be at the National Bonsai &

Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum. The intern

will be trained by the curator in the care and maintenance of

the bonsai collection. Weekend work will be required. The

intern may work a full time or part time schedule depending on

availability. The length of the internship is 3-6 months (480

hours) with potential for an extension. The approximate start

date is March/April 2016. The internship is paid through a

stipend.

Qualifications: Applicants should have an active interest in the art of bonsai. The incumbent

should have a basic understanding of plant care and have the ability to accurately follow

instructions relating to planting, pruning, weeding and other routine garden maintenance tasks.

Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen.

Duties & Working Conditions: Duties include assisting with the day to day care of the bonsai

collection. The intern will work under the direction of the museum curator. The intern will

assist in a wide variety of tasks required in the maintenance of the bonsai collection as needed

such as watering, repotting, trimming and wiring.

Interns may have contact with visitors. In many cases work will be outdoors and may involve

heavy lifting and exposure to extreme heat and humidity. Duties may also include work in the

museum’s gardens.

To apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) and 3

references via email to [email protected].

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is hired.

Questions? Contact the internship office at (202) 245-4563 or

[email protected]





Phone: (202) 245-2726

www.usna.usda.gov

2016 TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP

Description: The U.S. National Arboretum ‘Grass Roots’ exhibit focuses on the environmental, aesthetic,

recreational, and economic benefits of turfgrass. This position will assist the exhibit coordinator with the

maintenance and operation of the 1.3 acre ‘Grass Roots’ outdoor turfgrass exhibit and interactive turfgrass

displays which encompass golf course features, sports fields, and home lawn features. Internship is 3-6 months

long and will begin in April or May 2016. Internship is paid position by hourly wage.

Qualifications: Applicants need to have either completed course work or have acquired practical experience in

turf management, horticulture or a related field. Basic gardening, interest in plants, and the ability to work

independently are very important.

Duties & Working Conditions: Turfgrass management intern

will assist the exhibit coordinator with general turfgrass

maintenance to include mowing, fertilizing, aerating, watering,

and pest management. Intern will assist the exhibit coordinator

in the development of turf care product application schedules

for a variety of turf species in various settings (golf, sports

field, home lawn) and apply fertilizer and other products as

needed under supervision of the exhibit coordinator. This

position will assist in maintenance of turf equipment,

automated irrigation systems, and exhibit signage and

hardscape features. This position will encompass interaction

with the general public, industry professionals, Arboretum staff, and turfgrass scientists. Position will have the

opportunity to interact with turfgrass managers at other area federal facilities, including the National Mall and

Arlington National Cemetery, as well as local golf course superintendents and attend local professional

development workshops/field days. Intern will assist with public workshops and events held in conjunction with

exhibit and possibly assist with renovations of various turfgrass renovations on the Arboretum grounds.

Skills/Experience Required: Internship will involve heavy lifting and exposure to extreme heat and humidity.

Experience operating turfgrass maintenance equipment is strongly preferred. Good interpersonal skills and the

ability to interact with the public are necessary in this position. Ability to work occasionally on weekends is

required.

To apply: To apply for an internship, please send a cover letter indicating availability and interest, resume, and

transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) via email to [email protected]

The internship position is open until filled. However, first screening of applicants will be January 15th,

2016.

Questions? Contact the internship office at (202) 245-4563 or [email protected]


Documents

U.S. National Aboretum Internships