Collections and Horticulture Intern

The Morton Arboretum ranks among the world's foremost public gardens, noted for its exceptional plant collections, beautiful garden and landscape displays, practical research focus, conservation initiatives, and rich herbarium and library collections. Located in the Chicago suburb Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is offering three Collections and Horticulture Internship positions. Internships include one six month and two three month positions. Duration is dependent upon the intern's interest and availability. The anticipated start date for the internships is late May to early June.

Rotation through various horticultural programs in the Collections & Horticulture department provides exposure to various aspects of horticulture necessary to manage and maintain a public garden. Field trips over the course of the summer are designed to provide enriching experiences and provide opportunities to network. Selected interns will complete an independent project aligned with their interests and career goals as reasonably as possible. A list of projects aligned with institutional goals and developed by managers will be provided prior to an interview. Results of the completed project will be presented at a departmental seminar. The deadline for application submission is February 17, 2026.

Position Summary:

This internship offers meaningful professional, educational, and experiential opportunities in public garden horticulture and curatorial practices and supports the strategic goals of The Morton Arboretum. The intern will have the opportunity to select from a variety of independent study projects that contribute to executing the Arboretum mission.

Essential Functions:

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  Gain practical experience by working in each of the Collection and Horticulture Program departmental areas: living collections, display horticulture, new plant development, plant production, and natural areas.

  
  
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  Complete an independent project that is aligned with the intern's professional interest as reasonably as possible and addresses an objective that supports Arboretum goals. Present project results at the completion of the internship.

  
  
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  Participate in additional activities to incorporate aspects of a public garden not covered in daily work. These activities may include meetings with staff members, educational sessions, or field trips.

  
  
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  Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum's employee core values.

  
  
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  Other duties as assigned.

  
  

Qualifications:

Current enrollment in or recent completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or graduate program in horticulture, plant biology, environmental sciences, or a related life or natural sciences program required. Ability to work in the United States required.

Success Factors:

Demonstrable interest in plants and a strong interest in learning more about their care and curatorial practices in a public garden setting. Interest and willingness to experience various facets of horticulture. Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

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  Physical Demands: May be asked to perform some physical activity, including limited lifting and carrying (up to 30 lbs.), climbing (up to 8 ft.), and bending. Ability to travel around the Arboretum on paved, wood-chipped, and dirt paths over varied and uneven terrain, in various weather conditions.

  
  

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  Work Environment: Work is performed in a combined indoor and outdoor setting.

  
  
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  Housing: If needed, housing support will be provided, which may be on the Arboretum campus, a nearby suite-type hotel, and/or local university. Housing on the Arboretum campus may require the "public areas" of the house to be shared with another same gender intern; each intern will have private sleeping quarters. Local transportation is the intern's responsibility.

  
  
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  Equipment: General office equipment, general hand gardening tools, hand power tools, Cushman cart.

  
  

For full consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume.

The hourly rate is $20.00/hour for enrolled college students and for college graduates.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.