Program Description

The U.S. National Arboretum offers a limited number of internships to qualified individuals seeking on-the-job work experience and training in horticulture, botany, research, education, facilities management, and public garden administration. Selected individuals gain hands-on experience throughout the Arboretum's various plant collections, greenhouses, and research laboratories.

Summer Research Internships: 3 months, full time, beginning in May or June

Description: The arboretum was founded as a place for researchers to develop and discover new landscape plants. The development of plants for the American public is still an integral part of the arboretum’s mission and is conducted by the Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit. Interns are assigned to a particular area within the arboretum. All participate in regularly scheduled educational programs and field trips, work on independent projects that benefit the arboretum, and are supervised by the arboretum's professional staff. Compensation for the 2012, 3 month internship is approx. $11.91/hr. The work week for most interns is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. College credit may be arranged by the student and is encouraged.

Qualifications: Applicants need to have either completed at least 24 hours of relevant course work or have acquired one year of practical experience in a plant production setting. Experience in horticulture and the ability to work independently are very important. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: 

1. Knowledge of plant propagation and maintenance using sound greenhouse practices.
2. Knowledge of greenhouse environmental control systems in the control of light and temperature.
3. Skill in the preparation of buffers, solutions and gels using quantification techniques for DNA and PCR extractions.
4. Ability to use computer programs to obtain, tabulate, analyze and summarize data.

Duties & Working Conditions: This position is located in the Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit, Beltsville, MD and provides technical support to a scientific research program in horticulture on the propagation, seed germination, and evaluation of woody landscape plants responding to the effect of environmental factors, such as light, temperature, and nutrition on plant growth and development.  The investigations require the production of test plants in both greenhouses and in controlled environments.  Plants are sampled for laboratory research for foliar analysis.   DNA fingerprinting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology are used to complete the project plan of the genera covered under the Woody Landscape Plants Germplasm Repository.

There is no deadline. However, supervisors will begin to look over applications starting April 15th.  To receive first consideration, please apply by April 15th.

Education Internship: 3 months, full-time, 40 hours per week, May/June – August, 2012

Description: The intern will work with the Arboretum’s educational program coordinator to assist with the development and implementation of programs for children and families and will assist with other program-related duties within the Education and Visitor Services Unit. Compensation for the 2012 internship is approx. $13.00/hr. The work week will be set in accordance with the intern’s schedule. Once set, it will remain the same throughout the internship with the exception of some weekend hours that may be required. College credit may be arranged by the student and is encouraged.

Qualifications: Applicant must be a full-time student at a college or university at the beginning of the term of the internship and needs to have either completed 24 hours of relevant course work or have one year of practical experience. Strong communication and writing skills, basic computer skills such as word processing and email, interest in children’s education, and the ability to work independently are very important. Experience designing web pages is a plus, but is not required.

Duties and Working Conditions: This position offers an opportunity to help the National Arboretum develop and evaluate educational programs for children and families. The intern’s duties will include evaluating and developing National Arboretum children’s activities and assisting with other Education and Visitor Services Unit activities and special events. The work will be conducted primarily in the offices of the Education and Visitor Services Unit of the Arboretum.

There is no deadline. However, supervisors will begin to look over applications in early February 2012. To receive first consideration, please apply by March 1, 2012. 

To apply:

To apply for the summer internship, please send a cover letter, resume, transcripts,
and a completed Supplemental Questionnaire via email or postal mail to:

     Internship Office
     US National Arboretum
     3501 New York Avenue, NE
     Washington, DC 20002
     USNA.Internships@ars.usda.gov

Click here to download the supplemental questionnaire.