Internship Program
The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden (RSBG) Internship Program is designed to provide practical hands-on experience in the following areas of interest: garden maintenance & renovation, propagation, nursery management, and retail management.
Botanical Garden & Nursery Internship
One full-time position available in 2009 for up to 6 months - Spring through Fall 2009
Schedule can be negotiated. Some weekend work required.
Wages: $10/hour
Garden Management: Learn how to care for a 22-acre botanical garden, including proper pruning and planting techniques, landscape design, weed control, renovation, irrigation, and plant identification.
Nursery Management: Gain valuable experience in the operation and maintenance of a highly specialized nursery with emphasis on propagation techniques. Learn propagation methods including grafting, cuttings, seed sowing and hand pollination as well as greenhouse operation, transplanting, inventory control, data entry and plant identification. Detail oriented and mechanical ability or aptitude helpful.
Retail Management Internship
One 8-week position available Spring 2009
Part-time (24 hours/week – Schedule can be negotiated; however, least one day must be on the weekend – prefer both weekend days, if possible)
Wages: $10/hour
Learn how to manage the RSBG Plant Sales Pavilion including pricing, displaying plant material, maintaining and stocking sales facility, creating labels and signage, supervising volunteer assistants and record-keeping. Enthusiastic self-starter sought.
The RSBG is a 22 acre garden featuring one of the largest collections of Rhododendron species in the world. Over 4,500 forms of 488 species are displayed in a natural woodland setting. Additional plant collections include ferns, maples, heathers, bamboo, alpines and carnivorous plants. Special features include the Alpine Garden, PondGarden, Hardy Fern display garden, Gazebo, Gift Shop and Plant Sales Pavilion. The garden is located in Federal Way near I-5 and Highway 18.
The garden is supported by the Rhododendron Species Foundation (RSF), an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the study, cultivation, display and distribution of Rhododendron species. The RSF is internationally recognized as a leader in Rhododendron conservation. To find out more about our organization, please visit our web site at www.rhodygarden.org
To apply, please send your resume and letter of interest to:
RhododendronSpeciesBotanical Garden
Rick Peterson, Internship Coordinator
PO Box 3798
Federal Way, WA 98063