This Internship Opportunity is currently Not Available.
About the Internship
The Horticulture Division at the North Carolina Zoo is seeking a Zoo Horticulture Intern to join our team. This internship provides hands-on experience in grounds maintenance and plant care within a zoological setting, offering exposure to real-world projects and professional mentorship. The Horticulture Division works to create immersive, naturalistic habitats that support animal welfare, educate guests, and promote conservation.
Key Responsibilities
- Receive and place plants in appropriate holding areas using proper potting, labeling, and transport techniques
- Prepare sites by removing rocks, tilling soil, and adding soil amendments using hand tools
- Install and water plants, utilizing proper cultivation practices
- Remove damaged, diseased, or unsafe plant material to maintain a healthy plant collection
- Assist with pruning to ensure guest safety, routine plant maintenance, and overall collection health
- Identify and control invasive or toxic weeds using appropriate methods while ensuring guest and animal safety
- Monitor and protect plant collections from guest interference or damage
- Provide information to guests about horticulture and conservation efforts
- Build constructive working relationships through cooperation, respect, and teamwork
- Additional responsibilities as needed
Qualifications & Skills
- Currently enrolled undergraduate juniors or seniors, or recently graduated undergraduates (within one year) from a relevant field of study (e.g., horticulture, botany, environmental science, landscaping)
- Basic knowledge of grounds maintenance and plant care
- Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions and perform basic calculations
- Capable of working in extreme weather conditions (heat, rain, cold) and standing/walking for extended periods
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs., bend, stoop, and work on variable terrain
- Manual dexterity to safely handle tools and equipment
- Capable of using hand-held radios, phones, and computers for communication and task management
Schedule and Additional Information
Summer Internship
- 10 Week Full-time Internship:
- This internship is 10 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week), totaling 400 hours
- Must be available to work a full-time schedule, Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Due to the safety-sensitive nature of this role, supervisors may enforce additional standards, such as specific footwear or protective gear
