About this role
Position Title: Horticulture Intern
Department: Grounds
Reports To: Grounds Manager
Position Type: Part-Time, Hourly
Pay Rate: $16.00/hour
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: Carol Woods Campus
Internship Duration: Seasonal/As Scheduled M-F 8-3
Position Summary:
This paid internship provides hands-on horticultural experience in a residential retirement community setting. The intern will support the Landscape Specialists and Grounds Department with daily landscape maintenance, gardening services, and special projects across the Carol Woods campus. The position is ideal for current or prospective students pursuing studies in horticulture or related fields.
In addition to technical skill development, this role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with older adults. Interns will gain insight into the importance of creating accessible, engaging outdoor environments for seniors and the therapeutic benefits of gardening in a retirement community context.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Intern will support daily operations including, but not limited to:
- Planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, and planting beds
- Shrub and tree pruning in accordance with professional standards
- Participation in the Private Duty Gardening program, assisting residents with personal garden spaces
- Responding to resident-generated work orders for outdoor tasks
- Assisting with pesticide application under supervision and following safety protocols
- Supporting landscape renovations during cottage turnover periods
- Campus drainage maintenance support
- Participation in seasonal cleanup (e.g., leaf removal)
- General garden maintenance across campus grounds
- Operating basic landscape equipment such as mowers, trimmers, and blowers
- Assisting with trash and recycling collection in exterior areas
- Performing other grounds-related tasks as assigned
Learning and Development Objectives:
Interns will receive practical instruction in horticultural techniques and grounds maintenance, including safety protocols and operational best practices. They will also gain exposure to working in an intergenerational environment, learning how outdoor spaces and gardening activities can be designed to benefit older adults—physically, mentally, and socially.
Work may be tailored to align with the interns area of interest when applicable:
- Arboriculture – shadowing certified arborist staff
- Nursery/Greenhouse Operations – assisting with greenhouse and indoor plant care
- Turf & Equipment – operating and maintaining lawn care machinery
- Landscape Projects – assisting with installation and renovation work
- Community Engagement – supporting programs that engage residents in gardening and promote connection through nature
This internship offers a well-rounded experience, combining field-specific knowledge with real-world interaction in a person-centered, wellness-focused senior living community.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Interest in or current enrollment in a horticulture, landscaping, arboriculture, or related program
- Willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions
- Ability to follow directions and safety procedures
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Interest in working in a community setting and engaging respectfully with older adults
- Basic familiarity with landscape tools and equipment preferred, but not required
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:
- Frequent outdoor work; exposure to varying weather conditions
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs
- Requires bending, stooping, standing, walking, and manual labor for extended periods
- Use of hand tools, power equipment, and machinery with proper safety precautions