Candidates for Gardening and Horticulture Internship - Care of The Park - Livingston, NJ

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Jersey Cares is seeking a highly energetic Intern interested in learning more about caring for a historical landscape work of art, Essex County Branch Brook Park. In this internship, an emphasis will be placed on the gardens in the southern division of Essex County Branch Brook Park and there will be an opportunity to learn about horticultural tools, plant selection, and garden design.

We champion a masterwork of landscape architecture, conceived by Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. and designed by the Olmsted Brothers. The centerpiece of the first county park system in America located in the renaissance city of Newark, Essex County Branch Brook Park now enjoys new life. Together with a community of friends, we are restoring the park’s historic design and restoring it for today's lively use. Our program mission...

Restoring the Park

• To restore a landscape work of art to its highest standards of use and beauty.
• To enroll visionaries who support and sustain this effort.

Renewing Our Spirit

• To bring together people of all ages and backgrounds in the ongoing renewal and care of their park.
• To engender pride of place and a sense of ownership in an entire community.

Intern Responsibilities

The candidate should expect to learn the daily operations of a horticulture team in a public park, with an emphasis on horticultural best practice and ornamental garden maintenance. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Weeding, watering, mulching, planting, pruning, and other aspects of plant care.
• Working with volunteers and seasonal staff.
• Assisting with departmental and educational events.
• Data collection relating to landscape observations.
• Compile research into a user-friendly resource to share with the department, Garden and visitors.
• Prepare and present a report of experience, procedures, and findings to Garden staff and visitors.
• Commitment to remain in regular communication with the internship supervisor.
• A specific project will be developed with the intern and Gardener Foreman / Program Director or Program Manager.
• Collaboration and communication with key stakeholders.

Physical Demands

The candidate must be able to handle the physical demands, which include a level of physical fitness adequate to enable you to, for example...

• Lift 25 lbs. to waist height.
• Be outdoors for 4-6 hours on your feet in a variety of weather conditions
• Handle shovels, rakes, pruners, handsaws, hammers and other tools in a safe manner

Requirements

Our Internship opportunities are for everyone. Are you a mid-career professional or student seeking to transition into the nonprofit sector, an at-home parent seeking to re-enter the workforce or a senior looking to share their talent? This is an opportunity for you!

• Garden maintenance experience is preferred but not required. The Gardener Forman will teach you what you’ll need to know.
• Prior experience with volunteer or youth leadership is preferred but not required.
• Must have a strong interest in horticulture, public parks, and the environment.
• Willingness to work with volunteers and park patrons.
• This is an outdoor internship and may require working in all types of weather.

About Jersey Cares

Jersey Cares works to meet compelling community needs by encouraging civic engagement. With local service agencies, corporations and civic-minded individuals as our partners, we link volunteers with meaningful service projects to improve and enhance our communities. Jersey Cares is a non-profit, community-based organization established in 1993. We provide individuals, families, and corporate and community groups with a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. Jersey Cares partners with hundreds of nonprofit agencies to provide service projects that range from tutoring children to painting new murals in schools. Jersey Cares is an affiliate of the HandsOn Network, an innovative alliance of volunteer catalysts throughout the world.

How to Apply

To apply please submit a cover letter and resume. The start and end dates are flexible and offered year-round.

Attention: Thomas Dougherty

Via Email

Stipend/Wage- None, this is a volunteer opportunity or school credits available for an internship.

Job Type: Internship

Work Location:

• One location