Rhododendron Germplasm Intern

Rhododendron Germplasm Intern  

David G. Leach Research Station  

Internship   
 

Opportunity:     

Passionate about plants, botanical gardens, and horticultural research? The David G. Leach Research Station team is seeking a summer intern to assist our Rhododendron germplasm conservation and enhancement program. The Rhododendron Germplasm Intern will be exposed to a wide array of duties at a botanical garden emphasizing the development, care, and use of woody plant collections, especially rhododendrons, for broad scholarship, the nursery industry, and biodiversity conservation. Duties of the Rhododendron Germplasm Intern are primarily horticulture and include nursery crop breeding projects, collection and field plot maintenance, collection curation, plant propagation, and nursery production .  All members of the Holden Forests & Gardens’ (HF&G) intern cohort will participate in professional development, such as workshops, scientific lectures, networking, and field trips. Interns will also develop and present independent projects at HF&G’s SEARCH symposium at the end of the internship.   Holden Forests and Gardens offers over 3,600 acres of forested land, living plant collections, gardens, and high-tech laboratories spread across three campuses. This position is based at the David G. Leach Research Station in Madison, OH, a 30-acre field station and garden with towering trees, choice landscape plants, and a world-class rhododendron collection. The intern will also have a short rotation in the rhododendron gardens at Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, OH, and will occasionally travel to Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland, OH.     

Position Details:  

•  Internship begins on May 19, 2026, flexibility in start date with academic scheduling needs
• Applications are due February 9, 2026
• 12-week internship  
• 40 hours per week   
• Pay $14.00/hour 
• Low-cost housing at Holden Arboretum may be available  
• Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents  
• Open to undergraduate or recent graduates 

Key Responsibilities:  

Key Responsibilities of the Rhododendron Germplasm Intern will include, but are not limited to:    

•  Assist with plant breeding projects, including pollinations, field plant evaluation and maintenance, planting of breeding populations, disease screens, and propagation  
•  Aid with collection care and development, including horticultural duties like pruning, mulching, planting, watering, weeding, and scouting pests and diseases 
• Help with nursery production, including propagation, watering, transplanting, fertilizing, pest and disease management, and pruning   
• Work with supervisor to develop and complete an independent project which will be presented at a poster symposium at the end of the internship 
• Participate in intern cohort activities and professional development across campuses   
• Rotate to Holden Arboretum to assist in their rhododendron gardens 

Qualifications and Skills:   

• Support Holden Forests & Gardens’ mission, vision, and values 
• Demonstrate a passion for people and nature  
• Passion for connecting people with the wonder, beauty, and value of trees and plants to inspire action for healthy communities  
• Pursuing or recently completed an undergraduate degree in a plant-related field, preferred but not required 
• Enthusiasm for temperate woody plants   
• Strong skills in communication, organization, adaptability, and critical thinking 
• Ability to work independently and in a diverse team 
• Experience working with volunteers, a plus   
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 products, specifically Teams, Outlook (email and calendar), Word, Excel, and PowerPoint or ability to learn   
• Valid driver's license and an acceptable motor vehicle record, required 

 Physical Requirements 

Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation:  

• Working outdoors in all weather conditions   
• Operating small-engine machinery such as rototillers or push mowers 
• Driving utility vehicles and small tractors   
• Transporting oneself by foot over a variety of terrain that may be wet, slippery, uneven, rocky  
• Performing repetitive physical tasks 
•  Standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, reaching, pulling, pushing, sitting, grabbing, and lifting up to 50 lbs. 

 Apply:     Would YOU like to join us and play an integral part at this exciting time for HF&G and add a competitive edge to your resume and experience? Applications are due February 9, 2026. 

 Qualified applicants should submit a résumé, a letter of interest discussing your interest in this position and career goals, and contact information for at least two references through out link here.     

Holden Forests & Gardens is an equal opportunity employer and values an authentic sense of belonging at all levels of the organization, including staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and visitors. HF&G believes that working toward an equitable culture that values all perspectives enriches the work environment, helping achieve our goal to build a greener and healthier Northeast Ohio. We are working to create and sustain a supportive environment and sense of belonging for people of all backgrounds.  HF&G promotes an equitable approach in its hiring, retention, and promotion; in Board recruitment efforts; and in community partnerships and programming.