Landscape Operations & Design Summer Internship

Position Summary

This internship is built for students interested in how outdoor spaces are constructed, managed, and designed at scale. Interns will spend the majority of the summer in the field working with landscape crews and project leaders, followed by a focused design experience that ties hands-on work to planning and execution.

Cross Creek is a multi-division, family-owned company with over 50 years of experience in landscape construction, grounds management, and horticulture. Interns will gain direct exposure to commercial and residential landscape operations in the Richmond area.

Program Layout

Weeks 1–3: Grounds Maintenance Operations

• Work alongside grounds management crews to learn daily operations, safety standards, equipment use, and site workflows. Participate in pruning, mulching, fertilization, plant identification, and routine property maintenance.

Weeks 4–6: Landscape Construction & Installation

• Join landscape installation teams on active job sites. Assist with layout, soil preparation, plant placement, sod installation, and coordination between crews and materials. Observe how timelines, sequencing, and site conditions affect installations. 


• Support project managers on patios, retaining walls, steps, and outdoor living projects. Learn site logistics, material staging, quality checks, and introductory irrigation or lighting concepts.

Weeks 7–8: Design Process and Software

• Shadow designers during appointments. Learn SketchUp, AutoCAD, Dynascape and other design tools. Review client briefs and help develop early concepts.

Weeks 9–10: Landscape Design Project

• Work with the design team to develop a planting and layout concept based on real-world constraints. Create digital drawings, plant lists, and a short presentation connecting field experience to design decisions.


• Start building a planting design with guidance. Select plants, create palettes, draft digital sketches, and consider cost, maintenance, and aesthetics.

Key Learning Outcomes

• Understanding of landscape operations and jobsite workflow


• Exposure to construction sequencing and project coordination


• Applied plant knowledge in real installation settings


• Introduction to professional landscape design tools and process

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in a college or accredited academic program


• Comfortable working outdoors in physically active conditions


• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work on uneven terrain
  


• Strong interest in landscape operations, construction, or design

Schedule & Benefits

• Four 10-hour workdays per week with three-day weekends


• Hands-on field experience with professional crews


• Mentorship from project managers and designers


• Flexible scheduling for summer commitments