Garden Intern

The Garden Intern is an important part of supporting healthy living at PTM and will work within the Exhibits Department to help maintain, improve, and interpret the Please Touch Garden. This opportunity will allow the intern to experience working directly with an urban garden in an interactive children’s museum setting. Primary responsibilities for the Garden Intern include:

• general garden maintenance and upkeep
• plant management
• planting schedules
• maintenance of garden exhibits
• working with the Museum Learning team to assist with Garden-related events and programming

Essential Functions:

• Garden Maintenance: Weed, clean, water, and maintain the planted areas and planter boxes in the Please Touch Garden according to schedule.
• Planning: Research gardening, garden science and outdoor play, and work with the Exhibits team to develop management and use plans for the Please Touch Garden.
• Programming: Work with the Museum Learning Department to assist in ongoing, garden-related programming.
• Final Presentation: Work with the Exhibits and Museum Learning teams to develop an informal, experiential education program/exhibit based around the garden which they will present to the PTM staff towards the end of the internship.
• Equipment: Identify material and tool needs and work with Exhibits staff to coordinate purchases to assure that the garden is fully equipped.
• Patio: Coordinate with facilities staff in the maintenance and upkeep of the patio portion of the Garden.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required. All applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student and are receiving credit for the internship.
• Must have completed at least sophomore year of college by the end of the semester in which the internship starts.
• Experience maintaining a garden through a full season from planting to harvesting.
• Experience working with children in an educational setting.
• Ability to communicate information effectively.
• Ability to function independently as well as on a team.
• Ability to work outside during summer and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Ability to embrace and demonstrate the Museum’s Mission, Values, and DEIBA Commitment.
• Must have PA Act 153 clearances (PA criminal history, FBI fingerprints, and PA Child Abuse) completed prior to hire.
• All employees are required to have COVID-19 vaccination, and flu vaccination, as a term and condition of employment.