Ruth Borun Nursery Internship

 Department: Horticulture and Garden OperationsStatus: Intern; 30 hours/week for 34 weeksReports to: Director of Horticulture and Gardens Operations Descanso Gardens is an urban retreat located 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles,Descanso Gardens is a place of year-round natural beauty, with internationally renowned botanicalcollections and spectacular seasonal horticultural displays. Accredited by the American Alliance ofMuseums as a museum of living collections, Descanso Gardens welcomes more than 750,000 visitorsannually. The principal collections include California native plants and oak woodlands; one of the largestcollections of camellias in the Western Hemisphere; a rose garden with specimens from all corners ofthe globe; and significant presentations of lilacs, cherry trees and cycads. Descanso Gardens has beendesignated an International Camellia Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society. TheGardens are operated by the Descanso Gardens Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in apublic-private partnership with Los Angeles County. The annual budget of $15 million is funded bymemberships, philanthropic gifts, fees and support from Los Angeles County.In 2022 through a generous gift of the Borun family, the Ruth Borun Nursery and Propagation Centerat Descanso Gardens was established as the first phase in a multiyear Master Plan. The nursery supportsthe Gardens primarily through three avenues; the conservation of rare and unique cultivars eithergenerated through historic breeding at Descanso, or no longer found in the trade, expanding support ofnative habitat through the establishment of a diverse native plant propagation program and supportingseasonal ornamental planting for displays. INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION:The Ruth Borun Horticultural Intern will train in the propagation of the Gardens’ camellia, lilac, rose,California natives and ornamental collections under the direction of the Director of Horticulture andNursery Horticulturist. They will then spend a corresponding period with each section horticulturist. TheIntern will work for a period of 8 months from October 1 to May 31, for six hours a day, five days aweek. The Intern reports to the Director of Horticulture and Garden Operations and will work with ateam to learn all areas of the horticulture operations at Descanso Gardens, contributing to thesustainability of our plant collections and gaining key experience in all facets of plant propagation. INTERNSHIP TIME COMMITTMENT:The Intern will be expected to work 30 hours per week for 34 weeks between October 31st, 2024 – May1st, 2025. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:Assists the Nursery Horticulturist in maintaining the nursery and greenhouse through watering,fertilizing, grooming, transplanting, and weeding.Sources, acquires, and propagates plants to support and enhance the Gardens collections anddisplays under the direction of the Nursery HorticulturistMaintains and develops a propagation scheduleAssists with establishing new labelling and databasing protocols in the NurseryWorks with each section horticulturist (Camellias, Roses, Display, California Natives, PlantRecords) to develop a thorough understanding of the collections plants in their landscapeAssists with maintaining seed inventoriesMaintains and develops propagation infrastructure, irrigation and greenhouse facilitiesAssists section horticulturists in the development of seasonal displays and educational contentLeads volunteer teams in nursery assignmentsKeeps daily work journal documenting projects and responsibilities throughout internshipIntern must write a letter to the Borun family detailing their experience upon the completion oftheir internship QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:Qualified applicants will present a demonstrable interest in horticulture and the propagation ofplants.Must be able to lift 40 lbs.Must be able to work under variable weather conditions including heat, cold and rain.COMPENSATION: $17.50 per hourTo apply: Interested parties may apply by submitting a MS Word or PDF Letter of Interest and Resumeto [email protected] with RBNINT2024 in the subject line. We will accept resumes until theposition is filled.No phone calls, please.Descanso Gardens Guild Inc. acknowledges that equal opportunity for all persons is a fundamentalhuman value. Each employee will be considered based on individual ability and merit, without regard torace, color, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or marital status.