Intern - Landscape Gardener

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Williamsburg (VA)

On-site

USD 30,000 - 40,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is seeking an entry-level horticulturist to perform landscape tasks and receive training in garden maintenance. You will assist senior horticulturists in preparing, planting, and maintaining gardens while learning various horticultural practices.

This position offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a historic environment. Typical work hours are Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM. A valid Virginia driver’s license and a clean driving record are required.

Qualifications

Knowledge of topiary and espalier pruning techniques.
Ability to learn and operate basic gardening equipment.

Responsibilities

Prepare, plant, and maintain seasonal beds of flowers, vegetables, and herbs.
Operate power and hand-held gardening equipment.
Assist senior horticulturists in various landscape tasks.

Skills

Knowledge of landscape gardening

Ability to operate push mowers

Ability to read instructions

Education

Minimum of one year of college in horticulture or related field

Tools

Power hedge shears

Job description

About the Position

Performs landscape tasks at entry level while receiving training in garden maintenance, equipment, and conventional hand tools. Provides basic skills and knowledge to restore, maintain, and create the gardens in the Historic Area. Receives training in the art of fine gardening; plant identification; landscape construction; small equipment operation and service; and heirloom plant varieties. Assists and learns from senior horticulturists.

Responsibilities

Prepares, plants, and maintains seasonal beds of flowers, vegetables, and herbs; cultivates soil, weeds, and edges beds; prunes/harvests as necessary.
Prunes trees, shrubs, hedges and espaliered fruit trees; shears topiary.
Performs nursery/greenhouse activities (planting, transplanting, propagation, watering, fertilizing, area clean‑up, and organizing).
Does garden detail work such as edging, weeding, dead‑heading, and raking.
Operates and performs basic service on power and hand‑held landscape and gardening equipment (string trimmers, edgers, leaf blowers, and conventional hand tools).
Will have the opportunity to work with the IPM Technician to monitor insect and disease problems, with the Irrigation Technician on automatic irrigation systems, and with the Arborists to learn arboricultural practices.
Performs emergency landscaping work due to bad weather (storms, etc.).
Performs other related duties as required.

This job description reflects the general responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time based on operational needs.

This is a non‑exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as directed and approved by the supervisor.

Required Education and Experience

Completed a minimum of one year of college in a major related to horticulture, floriculture, landscaping, arboriculture or a similar field of study.
Knowledge of landscape gardening and maintenance, ability to learn topiary and espalier pruning techniques.

Driver's License and Driving Record

Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license and have an acceptable driving record based on The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's criteria.
Must be able to provide a 5‑year Motor Vehicle Record prior to employment.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
May not have more than 1 moving violation or at‑fault accident within 12 months.
May not have more than 2 moving violations or at‑fault accidents within 36 months.
May not have any serious motor vehicle violations including excessive speeding, reckless driving, DUI/DWI, suspended or revoked license, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience as a gardener's helper or groundskeeper; desire for professional career in the horticulture field.

Key Skills / Competencies

Ability to read instructions and fill out reports, to operate in a professional and safe manner, and experience with push mowers, and power hedge shears.

Physical and Environmental Demands