Horticulture Intern

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: 4/1/2026 Compensation: $16-$17/hour

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

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 Naumkeag, one of the premier public gardens in Massachusetts. Naumkeag, a gilded-age estate with restored gardens by landscape architect Fletcher Steele, is a National Historic Landmark preserved by the Trustees of Reservations. The position will work in all areas of the property, including formal gardens, greenhouses, a cut-flower garden, orchard, meadow, and woodland.

As a Horticultural Intern, you will experience an 8-month hands-on horticultural program that offers early career professionals valuable on-the-job experience and mentorship by Naumkeag horticultural staff. You will gain valuable experience conducting various landscape and garden maintenance tasks throughout the property while participating in several educational activities throughout your internship.

Details:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $16 - $17
Hours per week: 40
Job Classification: Nonexempt, Limited Term
Job Type: Onsite
Duration: April - November
Location: Naumkeag, Stockbridge Massachusetts
Housing: On-site Housing Provided

Responsibilities/Duties

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.
Work independently or with a team to accomplish tasks.
Assist with educational programming, seasonal events, and workshops.
Act as an ambassador for the Trustees (along with other staff and volunteers) at public events and other outreach opportunities
Write a daily Plant-of-the-Day Report
Participate in guided plant identification walks and complete plant identification exams.
Attend field trips to local and regional public and private gardens

Qualifications/Requirements

Experience working in gardens preferred.
Basic knowledge or experience with garden maintenance, horticulture, ecology, forestry, environmental studies, education, landscape design, or another related field.
Strong passion for learning about plants, garden maintenance, and garden history.
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 all weather conditions (heat, rain, snow) and the ability to perform physically challenging work such as digging and lifting.
Ability to have an eye for detail and follow tasks through 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.

Additional Information

Apply online at https://thetrustees.org/program/careers-at-the-trustees/

Horticulture Intern, Western Hills and Berkshires Region

Contact Information

Trustees of the Reservations
Website: Apply Online