Horticulture Intern

Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) is hiring a Horticulture Intern to support our botanical collections and ornamental gardens. TBG is a not-for-profit charity focused on connecting people with plants and inspiring people to live in harmony with nature.

Working with a committed and enthusiastic team, the Horticulture Intern will support a variety of garden areas and activities, including monitoring the health of plants and greenspaces, watering and feeding plants, trimming trees and shrubs, fertilizing and mowing lawns, weeding gardens and keeping green spaces and walkways clear of debris and litter. Ultimately, you will ensure our gardens and green spaces are always healthy and beautiful.

**Scope of Position**

Reporting to the Lead Horticulturist, or their designee, the Horticulture Intern is responsible for planting and taking care of plant collections for the gardens of the TBG and contributing to the aesthetic and mission-driven experience. This seasonal internship position supports the Garden from May-August (exact contract dates to be confirmed upon offer).

**Position Summary**
- Caring for the indoor and outdoor plant collections, and plant displays/exhibits.
- Regular garden tasks include weeding, pruning, dead-heading, and watering.
- Preparation of soil for planting and transplanting, where necessary.
- Spreading of compost, fertilizer and mulch where necessary.
- Plant identification, including woody, perennial, annual, vegetable, and indoor plants
- Identification of weeds, insects and disease for their prevention and treatment.
- Work with and maintain proper care of hand tools and light/medium power equipment: including but not limited to secateurs, hand saws, backpack blower, string trimmer, and lawn mower.
- Interact with TBG members and garden visitors, providing a positive guest experience
- Work with garden volunteers; provide direction and supervision when necessary.
- Horticulture Interns will work on the various gardens and plant displays in accordance with their maintenance needs and re-planting schedules.
- Horticulture Interns will have the opportunity to customize their work plan based on interest with the Horticulture Team. There will be training opportunities and continuous feedback throughout the duration of their work term.
- Other duties as assigned

**Experience, Education and Professional Qualifications**
- Interest and experience in Horticulture or a related field
- A love of the outdoors
- Ability to work in all weather conditions, including heat, rain, and wind
- Willingness to operate small equipment as instructed, such as line trimmers, blowers, and lawnmowers

**Personal Attributes**
- Eagerness to learn
- Physically capable of walking, standing, kneeling, or sitting for extended periods

**Working Environment**

Work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environmental conditions; cold, warm, humid, heat may regularly occur; exposure to radiant energy and inclement weather; exposure to fertilizers, and organic pest control agents. Outdoor environments in different seasons. Much of the work is done in public areas with frequent interaction with visitors.

**Physical Demands**

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Essential and marginal duties require a high-level of stamina and good physical condition. Daily duties may include moderate lifting (up to 50lbs.), carrying, walking, repeated bending, being on your feet for most of the day, working with garden tools, working outside during adverse conditions, operating mechanical equipment, operating computers, the ability to distinguish colours and the ability to drive vehicles safely.

**Application Procedure**
- be between 15 and 30 years of age at the beginning of the employment period*
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment** and
- have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

*The youth must be 15 years of age at the beginning of the employment period. The youth may be more than 30 years of age at the end of the employment period as long as the youth was 30 at the beginning of the employment period.

**International students are not eligible participants. As the objective of the CSJ program is to support youth entering the Canadian labour market, the temporary nature of an international student's time in Canada does not allow for a long-term connection to the labour market.

International students include anyone who is temporarily in Canada for studies and who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada. Youth awaiting a refugee status ruling, as well as those who