Intern, Horticulture

This is a 40 hours per week, 12 week summer internship.

Portfolio or examples of work preferred.

Summary:

Missouri Botanical Garden is seeking one, paid landscape design/GIS intern to join the horticulture team for the 2026 summer season. This internship blends creative landscape design with geospatial analysis, offering hands-on experience in spatial data management of various landscape projects. The intern will work directly with Garden staff to assist with tasks such as site inventory, analysis, planning, design, and documentation. This seasonal, full-time internship provides hands-on learning experience for students or early-career professionals interested in exploring career opportunities within scientific and cultural institutions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Creates and updates GIS maps of plant collections and Garden infrastructure to support horticulture projects.
• Assists with inventory of Garden areas and data collection using GPS and mobile mapping tools.
• Maintains and organizes spatial datasets, metadata, and basic geodatabases.
• Supports analysis related to existing plantings, topography, land use and management, irrigation, or visitor access.
• Assists with conceptual and schematic landscape designs for Garden areas and other sites.
• Prepares maps and designs graphics for internal use, reports, presentations, and other public-facing materials.
• Participates in team planning meetings specific to assigned projects and contributes ideas and technical support.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed and adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately to supervisor.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:

• Communication - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.
• Collaboration - Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
• Accountability - Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues' concerns.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.
• Stewardship - Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Demonstrated interest in plants, landscapes, and public gardens environments.
• Coursework or experience in Site Planning, Data Visualization, GIS/Spatial Analysis & Modeling, Data Management.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Adherence to all health and safety guidelines.
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required

Education:

• Current enrollment in or recent graduation from a program in Landscape Architecture, Planning, GIS, or related field.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro and/or ArcGIS Online and Spatial Analyst.
• Working knowledge in other ESRI products (StoryMaps, Experience Builder, Field Maps, Survey 123, 3D Analyst).
• Experience with design software (AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, other 3D rendering software).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and shared file systems.
• Ability to learn and use MBG's plant database system.

Mathematical Skills:

• Requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and to calculate percentages and decimals

Reasoning Ability:

• Applies facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must have the ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report (MVR) to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.

Work Environment:

• 80% work inside at a desk and 20% work outside.
• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions
• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• Garden employees, volunteers, guests, vendors, and contractors
• National and international botanical institutions, government agencies, and conservation divisions

Supervisor (title not person):

• Senior Manager, Kemper Center for Home Gardening

*Request applicant to upload design portfolio or examples of work