2025 Public Horticulture Internships

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Friends of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (FBBG) is excited to announce our 2025 Summer Internship program. The interns will work under the supervision of horticulture and education staff and will study our native flora, learn skills in applied horticulture, and gain practical experience toward a career in public horticulture.

Participants will gain hands-on experience, working as a team and independently, with staff and volunteers. Daily duties will involve a broad range of practical experiences related to the maintenance and operation of a public garden.

INTERNSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

Public horticulture interns will be requested to select an area of concentration. The 2025 areas of concentration are: 1) Native Plants and 2) Horticulture Education.

The Native Plants intern will have the opportunity to work closely with the Gardens Support horticulture team and will include the study and conservation of plants native to the Southeastern United States, with emphasis on Alabama natives as well as general landscape maintenance including planting, pruning, propagation, pest and weed management.

The Horticulture Education intern will have the opportunity to work closely with the Education and Community Engagement team. This intern will be involved in our weekly summer camps for elementary aged students, developing interpretive programs for casual visitors, helping to curate our specialty collections in the library and archives, and advancing the goals of the education department.

Supplementing their work experience, interns will be given the opportunity to attend relevant local meetings, events, lectures, and field trips with staff. Each intern will also work on a project of his or her interest that benefits the Gardens and will be required to present their project.

QUALIFICATIONS

This 12-week opportunity is open to two rising juniors or seniors attending a four-year college or university full-time, or recent graduates of a two or four-year college seeking experience in horticulture or related fields. Preference will be given to students majoring in horticulture, landscape design, landscape architecture, biology, botany, ecology, plant science, environmental science, or a closely related discipline.

We are seeking motivated individuals interested in the learning, engagement and horticulture side of public gardens. The ideal candidate enjoys working with people of varying ages, abilities, and interests as well as learning and teaching about plants, horticulture, and the environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Starting and ending dates for the internships are flexible, based on availability; the program will last 12 consecutive weeks at 40 hours per week. Workdays will normally be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Interns will be compensated at a rate of $15 per hour.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

The internships are competitive, and candidates are encouraged to be professional, thorough, and concise with their application materials.

Candidates must provide the following:

Resume (not to exceed two pages)
Statement of approximately 200 words outlining professional objectives regarding the internship (including preferred area of concentration)
A reference from an academic advisor knowledgeable of your scholastic standing toward graduation
Proof of a valid driver’s license

Materials may be submitted electronically in a single pdf to: careers@bbgardens.org

Application deadline: Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure the receipt of application materials by FBBG by the deadline. Positions will be open until filled.

ABOUT BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS

A facility of the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is the result of a public/private partnership between the City of Birmingham and the nonprofit Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The Gardens encompasses 67 acres featuring more than two dozen garden spaces the reflect the region’s rich and varied terrain and showcase many plants that thrive in Southern gardens. Annual visitation exceeds 300,000 visitors.

ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS

A mission-driven membership organization, the nonprofit Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens seeks to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of the Gardens. We are dedicated to serving the Gardens; serving the community; serving our visitors; and, inspiring a passion for plants, gardens, and the environment. The Friends’ work centers around Communications & Marketing, Education & Community Engagement, Gardens Support, and Fundraising.

These internships are made possible by generous support from the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Jr. Board and the Rotary Club of Shades Valley.

Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens

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2025 Public Horticulture Internship