Botanical Internship

About Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a distinguished National Historic Landmark and accredited museum located in Miami, Florida. The Botanical Intern role is a practical position that involves performing general landscape upkeep and assisting in the meticulous care of horticultural exhibits and living collections. This position is part of the Engagement & Cultural Resources Team within the Horticulture & Sustainability Department, reporting directly to the Senior Horticulturist and Horticulture Manager.

Mission and Vision: Vizcaya is managed by Miami-Dade County and operated by the non-profit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, Inc. Our mission is to safeguard the estate's cultural and environmental assets, fostering connections with history, understanding contemporary issues, and shaping future perspectives. Our vision is to establish Vizcaya as a lasting, inclusive, and innovative venue that encourages individuals to appreciate the cultural richness and environmental sustainability surrounding them.

Internship Overview: The Botanical Internship spans 12 months, concentrating on horticultural responsibilities while allowing scheduled exposure to various departments at Vizcaya. This experience aims to cultivate an understanding of managing a historic estate and public garden. The Intern will engage in a horticulturally focused project of personal interest throughout the internship. Participation in professional development activities, including field excursions, networking with South Florida horticulture professionals, plant procurement, and community outreach, is a vital component of the internship. The internship typically begins in the fall and concludes in the following summer, with flexible start and end dates to accommodate the intern's needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Engage in and learn daily hands-on landscape maintenance activities.
• Under the supervision of Horticulture staff, execute and document applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
• Maintain all landscaped and natural areas to established standards, both independently and under guidance.
• Provide lawn care services, including mowing, trimming, fertilization, and pest management as directed.
• Utilize a variety of hand tools and landscape power equipment.
• Manage volunteer teams on various garden-related tasks, either independently or under supervision.
• Assist in planting, cultivating, maintaining, and harvesting edible landscapes under direction.

This description is not exhaustive; duties and responsibilities may evolve over time.

Learning Opportunities:

• Orchid care and cultivation.
• Management of living collections, including recordkeeping and collection oversight.
• Urban agriculture and edible plant cultivation.
• Interpretation, including signage, art installations in a garden context, and public programming.
• Daily maintenance required to enhance a European-inspired garden.
• A comprehensive understanding of public garden operations.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent, with at least one year of collegiate coursework in landscape horticulture, public horticulture, or a related field.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs and work outdoors in various weather conditions, standing for extended periods and navigating uneven terrain.
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively, with availability for occasional weekend or evening shifts.
• Capable of applying pesticides or herbicides under supervision.
• Understanding of general landscape maintenance practices.
• Positive demeanor, strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and a commitment to teamwork and customer service.
• A genuine passion for horticulture, plants, and the natural environment.
• Fluency in English.

Compensation: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens offers competitive compensation, generous paid leave, retirement benefits, and comprehensive medical and other insurance for full-time employees. Compensation will be determined based on experience and skills, with a starting salary of $20/hour for qualified candidates.

Work Environment: The majority of work occurs outdoors in varying climatic conditions, including high heat and humidity. The role requires physical activities such as sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. The position necessitates the ability to stand for extended periods and safely navigate uneven surfaces, frequently lifting and/or moving up to 50 lbs. Interaction with the public, community members, partners, donors, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders is part of the role. Vizcaya maintains a non-smoking environment.

Position Type: This is a full-time (40 hours per week), non-exempt position. The internship may extend up to 12 months, depending on the successful candidate's needs and schedule. Periodic evening and weekend work may be required.

Diversity and Inclusion: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is dedicated to equity and inclusion, actively working to ensure that our staff, Board, and volunteers reflect the diversity of our community. We welcome applicants from underrepresented groups in cultural organizations and strive to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is an equal opportunity employer, respecting individuals of all backgrounds and not discriminating based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, familial status, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, or any other legally protected characteristics.