Horticulture Internship: Ornamental Display

Horticulture Internship: Ornamental Display 2025

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden’s mission is to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create a working environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming as we honor employee experiences, perspectives, and unique identities.

Phipps Conservatory is offering a summer Horticulture Internship to students interested in gaining practical experience in a botanical garden setting. Horticulture interns work with Phipps’ staff in various capacities to plant and maintain the public gardens and conservatory plantings. This internship is primarily outside maintaining the exterior plants of the Conservatory. Interns should be expected to work in summer-like conditions. Training will be provided in such skills as watering, planting, weeding, pruning, deadheading, mulching, propagation, IPM and plant identification, as well as other aspects of maintaining the gardens in exceptional condition. Phipps’ innovation in Sustainability and plans for the future are part of the educational component. This internship provides an excellent opportunity for students interested in a career in horticulture, public gardening or landscape design to gain practical, hands-on experience in a renowned horticultural institution. 

The summer Horticulture Internship runs from May through August, based on the student’s university schedule.  The Horticulture Intern will work 40 hours/week for a maximum of 16 weeks; this is a paid internship.

Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at least halfway through course of study, or one-year post-graduate from undergraduate program, or currently enrolled as a graduate student, majoring in horticulture, landscape architecture, environmental sciences, botany or related field. Previous experience with gardening or landscaping work is preferred.  Interns must enjoy doing physical work outside in the Pittsburgh climate which is often hot and humid and be willing to work both independently and in groups.

 For more information about Phipps, please visit our website: www.phipps.conservatory.org.