Community Gardens Intern

• Are you studying horticulture, food systems, or urban agriculture?

• Are you highly organized with a keen eye for the details?

• Do you enjoy working outside and helping others grow their own food?

• Are you interested in learning more about careers in Parks?

We are currently seeking a dynamic, highly organized summer intern for our Community Gardens Program. The internship program runs between June – August, with the time commitment of 25 hours per week for 10 weeks. The successful internship candidate will have the opportunity to design and manage the communal growing space at Nolte Community Gardens; this space is about 200-300 square feet, and will ultimately be designed, planted, and maintained by the successful candidate. The intern will work to enhance the educational, informational, and recreational experience that Montgomery Parks offers to its visitors. This role requires both administrative work to be performed indoors and physical work to be performed outdoors. Go to our website to learn more about the Community Gardens Program: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/community-gardens 

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery County Department of Parks system is a career staff complement of nearly 800 employees, 421 parks and over 37,000 acres of park land that serves a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC area. Go to our website to learn more: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/ 

Please Note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

• Works with volunteers, gardeners, and community partners to implement the project and ensure its sustainability.

• Designs a community garden plan/layout with attention to seed and/or plant varieties that have high yields that can benefit gardeners and donation efforts.

• Hosts at least three (3) harvest parties with the goal of donating at least 50 pounds of food in 2025.

• Scouts beneficial insects and/or dangerous pests to determine a baseline for what insect populations can exist in a community garden.

• Supports the Community Garden team with various projects throughout the season, including: supporting Grown@Pope; assisting with garden inspections; data collection and/or analysis; and other duties as assigned.

• As a final product, at the culmination of the internship the intern will provide a crop rotation plan, crop harvesting schedule, and deliver a presentation to HFEE staff about their internship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Has background or experience in: Sustainable Food Systems, Public Health, Environmental Sciences, Landscape Architecture, Landscape Design, Plant ID and Diagnostics, or other relevant fields.

• Proficiency in Microsoft and Adobe Suite.

• GIS experience or coursework.

• Superb written, verbal, organizational and interpersonal skills. Proficient in office software (MS Office), communicating (email), word processing, collecting and reporting data, preparing presentations, and researching (Internet).

• Must possess a valid Driver’s License and qualify to drive Commission vehicles to locations within Montgomery County and/or as directed.

• Ability to communicate in another language a plus.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and at least Junior class standing.

2. Students must be currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college, university, or trade school.

3. College/University students must submit a college transcript. An unofficial transcript is unacceptable.

4. Must provide references from past supervisors and/or professors.

5. Must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Working Conditions:

Work in this position is performed both indoors and outdoors. When working indoors, works in an office setting. When working outdoors, may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions, as well as: dirt and dust; unpleasant odors and fumes from fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides; wildlife and potentially harmful insects (i.e. bees, hornets, wasps); traffic hazards and noise. Must be able to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.