University Overview The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023. Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play. The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more. Posted Job Title Horticulture Intern - Morris Arboretum & Gardens Job Profile Title Intern - Arboretum Job Description Summary The Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania inspires an understanding of the relationship between plants, people and place through education, research and horticultural display. Located in the Northwest section of the city, the Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a destination for plant lovers from Philadelphia and beyond. The home to a collection of more than 13,000 woody plants and host to special and educational events. Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a hub for botany, horticulture and urban forestry and a special part of Penn. Job Description The Horticulture Internship is looking for individuals with a strong passion for plants and public horticulture. This 9-month internship is responsible for the physical maintenance of the Arboretum. Interns receive hands-on training in all aspects of garden management and care of the living collections. Specific emphasis is placed on refining a wide range of practical horticulture skills. Interns also assist in supervising volunteers. Through monthly educational opportunities, interns gain knowledge and insight into all other aspects of managing a public garden. This Internship will last approximately 9 months, is classified as Part-Time, and will pay $16.00 an hour. Those selected should expect to work approximately 40 hours a week, depending on operational needs. Duties and Responsibilities + Assist with all garden tasks, including weeding, pruning, planting, mulching, and turf care. + Learn to properly identify weeds and implement control methods. + Demonstrate pruning skills using CODIT philosophy and assist in formative pruning of the Arboretum's plant collection. + Demonstrate knowledge of proper pesticide use--handling, mixing, applying, and clean-up of pesticide equipment. + Take part in watering plants and containers on a rotating weekend schedule. + Participate in the Horticulture Department's project days. + Interact with visitors as garden ambassadors . + Direct horticulture volunteers under the section leader’s guidance. + Learn to operate the following garden machinery:Small Equipment Operation - weed whacker, push mower, string trimmer, leaf blower, snow throwerLarge Equipment Operation - golf cart, riding mower, backhoe, tractor, dump truckArborist Equipment Operation - chainsaw, chipper + Perform additional duties as requested Qualifications/Requirements + A high school diploma or GED is required, and an associate's degree or bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred. + Demonstrate a passion for horticulture, plants, and the natural world, + Be able and willing to communicate with diverse Arboretum visitors, + Be able and willing to work independently and as part of a team, + Be able and willing to work in all weather conditions, + Be able and willing to lift at least 25 lbs., + A valid driver's license is required. Work Environment The Horticulture Internship is a hands-on program that assists in the maintenance of the Arboretum's outdoor gardens, including the Rose Garden, woodland garden, ornamental gardens, and shade gardens. The interns work alongside the horticulture staff in all weather, rain or shine. Each intern will be assigned a horticulturist to work with but has the opportunity to work in other areas of the garden during team project days. Job Location - City, State Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department / School Morris Arboretum Pay Range $15.34 - $16.00 Hourly Rate Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class. Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job. University Benefits + Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. + Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions. + Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard. + Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be. + Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting. + Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance. + Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally. + University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free. + Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks. + Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures. + Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements. + Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household. ​ To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.