POSITION TITLE:  Intern - Horticulture   (Hourly)

REQUISITION #:  req7995

DEPARTMENT:  Cultural Services

LOCATION:  GARDENS ON SPRING CREEK

BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly View Classifications & Benefits

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:  Seasonal 

WORK SEASON: Up to 40 hours per week, May - August (12-week term)

HOURLY RATE:   $15.50 per hour (based on relevant experience)

SELECTION PROCESS:  Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 2/26/2025.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check required.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Summary: The Gardens on Spring Creek, the community botanical garden of Fort Collins, Colorado, is seeking two Horticulture Interns to support and learn from their horticulture team.

These positions offer a positive and engaging environment, training, and professional growth opportunities in the green industry. It seeks a candidate that is willing and able to work independently and proactively, is comfortable in a fast-paced, evolving environment, and is looking for professional experience and training in public horticulture.
 

• The General Horticulture Internship will rotate and work with each member of The Gardens horticulture team, exposing them to all areas of public horticulture including gardening, plant production, curation of a living collection, ornamental horticulture, community education and more. This work will take place in naturalistic gardens, perennial flower gardens, annual flower gardens, food production gardens, a small conservatory, and a greenhouse and nursery.  
• The Food Production Horticulture Internship will work with and report to the Community Gardens Outreach Coordinator, exposing them to gardening, urban agriculture, community education and more. This work will take place in the Garden of Eatin’, a one-acre site dedicated to edible plants and crops, including vegetables, fruits and herbs. This garden serves as a living classroom, providing ideas and demonstrating crops appropriate to grow in Northern Colorado. This position will also assist with the Community Garden Outreach Program which consists of eight gardens located throughout the community.

Both internships are non-benefited, seasonal hourly positions working a maximum of 40 hours per week for up to 480 hours and may include weekends and holidays.  Work hours are flexible based on school schedule and school requirements. Positions will follow the local university schedule and will begin in late May and end in early August. 
 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Gardens on Spring Creek is one of Fort Collins' premier cultural organizations. This 12-acre botanical oasis features carefully curated spaces that provide an escape for healing and retreat, rich educational opportunities, an annual concert series, and family-friendly public events. Our mission is to enrich the lives of people and foster environmental stewardship through horticulture.

A detailed description of the Gardens on Spring Creek and its programs can be found at www.fcgov.com/gardens. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

• Assist horticulturists with daily outdoor gardening tasks including watering, weeding, pruning, deadheading, dividing, planting, mulching, plant signing, mowing, edging, irrigation system maintenance/repair and other botanical garden maintenance
• Use machinery and equipment including and not limited backpack blower, push mower, Walker mower, rototiller, and string trimmer as well as common garden hand tools
• Leading and supporting volunteer groups
• May assist with Gardens events
• Respond to the needs of visitors at the Gardens on Spring Creek

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• At least 18 years old
• Some horticultural skills and knowledge
• Willing and able to do strenuous physical work in a productive and efficient manner
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral or schedule form
• Self-directed, responsible, and uses good judgment
• Works well as part of a team and individually
• Present a positive image while working in public settings
• Ability to provide support and direction to volunteers

SUCCESSFUL INTERNSHIP: 

• Set personal goals for what they would like to accomplish during their internship
• Have regular information meetings with staff
• Tackle all tasks with enthusiasm, humility, and a positive attitude
• Take advantage of opportunities to learn more about the organization
• Gain exposure to new ideas and people through networking
• Be willing to learn and ask questions
• Take initiative

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: No degree required. A desire to learn about and engage in public horticulture is required. Bachelor’s or Associate degree in progress in horticulture or related field is appreciated. 

WORKING HOURS: Some schedule flexibility during the up to 40-hour work week (Monday through Sunday), work hours completed within the 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. time frame. Occasional weekend duty may be required across the 12-week term.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work activities are performed in the outdoors, under the varying and sometimes demanding weather conditions associated with this time period
During office hours, this position may need to show flexibility in limited space work environment; ability to move workstations based on available space

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, kneel, dig, and use hands, arms and legs to operate gardening tools and equipment. The employee may be required to use a ladder.  The employee is regularly required to lift and carry 20-40 pounds; and occasionally lift objects up to 50-60 lbs.

 
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities.  Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.
 

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body.  The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy. 

The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.