Ferry Foundation Children’s Garden Intern

Ferry Foundation Children’s Garden Intern

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Internship

Opportunity:

The Education department is seeking a Children’s Garden Intern. The Ferry Foundation Children’s Garden intern will help facilitate a sense of wonder and connection to the natural world for visitors to the Hershey Children’s Garden and other areas of the Cleveland Botanical Garden. The intern will do this by engaging diverse audiences of all ages, researching & delivering engaging activities about plants, working with volunteers, horticulture, and education staff members to maintain the garden, and the plants in it. Additionally, they will be assisting, evaluating, and improving current program offerings. This intern will integrate within the Education department, working closely with the Family and Youth Engagement Coordinator. The Children’s Garden Intern will develop skills in museum and public garden education, public program development consistent with National Association of Interpretation best practices, engaging diverse audiences, and educational program delivery. This internship offers collaboration with fellow interns and professional staff across Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G), professional development opportunities such as career exploration workshops, lectures, networking, and field trips. All interns will have the opportunity to develop and present their research at HF&G’s SEARCH symposium. This position is based at the Cleveland Botanical Garden campus in Cleveland, OH with travel to the Holden Arboretum campus in Kirtland, 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 Ferry Foundation Children’s Garden Intern include, but are not limited to:

• Prioritizing the guest experience in all aspects of public-facing work at Cleveland Botanical Garden (CBG)
• Collaborate with Education and Horticulture staff and volunteers to assist with the maintenance of the plants and other items in the Hershey Children’s Garden
• Assist with and deliver youth programming in the Hershey Children’s Garden and other locations on the Cleveland Botanical Garden campus
• Opportunities to evaluate current offerings and to develop new activities as time and interest allow
• Assist Summer Camp Staff with activities and supervision of campers as needed
• Work with supervisor to develop and complete an independent project which will be presented at the SEARCH symposium at the end of the internship
• Opportunity to assist with events and programs at the Holden Arboretum campus
• Other relevant duties as assigned
• Qualifications and Skills:
• Support Holden Forests & Gardens’ mission, vision, and values
• Demonstrate a passion for people and nature
• Pursuing or recently completed an undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences, Environmental Education, Environmental Science, History, Museum Studies, English, Communication or related field, preferred
• Experience working with youth and families in a natural setting and presenting information to diverse audiences
• Good communication, collaboration, and customer service skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 products, specifically Teams, Outlook (email and calendar), Word, Excel, and PowerPoint or the ability to learn
• Strong organizational skills, adaptability, and critical thinking skills
• Reliable transportation and ability to get to both the Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Gardens for various training, required

Physical Requirements

Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Stand and sit for extended periods of time
• Sitting, standing, kneeling, and bending on uneven surfaces
• Walk and work on wet, uneven, slippery, or rocky terrain
• Walk the equivalent of about 5,000-10,000 steps daily, several times per week
• Ability to ascend and descend stairs

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 resume, letter of interest discussing the value of connecting people to nature and how developing skills in public programming at an educational, mission-driven institution like HF&G could contribute to their future career goals, and contact information for at least two references.

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.

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