Orchid Collection Intern

About UsAt The Huntington, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to support and promote the appreciation of the humanities, the arts, and botanical science. The Huntington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.The HuntingtonFounded in 1919, The Huntington is a collections-based research and educational institution open to the public, housing world-class library, art, and botanical collections. Its mission is to support research and promote education in the arts, humanities, and botanical science and to display and interpret its extraordinary resources for diverse audiences.The CultureHere we are committed to the highest of standards in all that we do – from preserving and protecting the collections, to exhibitions, educational and scholarly programming, visitor and reader services, and beyond. Achieving excellence across these pursuits requires a diversity of perspectives, expertise, experience, and methodologies.At The Huntington, our organizational Culture is shaped by the following core values: Intellectual curiosity, Collaboration, Stewardship, Belonging, and Integrity.Intellectual Curiosity: Knowledge, lifelong learning, and a spirit of inquiry are at the core of our mission and organizational culture.Collaboration: Teamwork and a collaborative attitude are important at all levels of The Huntington. We foster relationships internally among our departments and externally with organizations throughout the community.Stewardship: We are committed to the care and development of our collections, our financial and physical resources, our staff, and our community.Belonging: We strive to attract and maintain a workforce of individuals with diverse talents, backgrounds, and perspectives. Our organizational culture promotes a sense of welcome, inclusion, and connection.Integrity: We value respect and honesty, working to fulfill our mission with honor and ethical principles.Job DescriptionAbout the RoleThe Orchid Collection Intern ship is an opportunity , funded by the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Science Initiative to support students aspiring to work in museums and botanical gardens and provide them with hands-on experience in a setting with professionals in the field of orchids .With over 10,000 orchid plants, The Huntington has one of the largest orchid collections in the United States and one of the most diverse species collections in the world. The collection contains over 3,600 unique varieties, representing 280 genera, including, but not limited to, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium , Cymbidium, Cattleya, Stanhopea , and Lycaste .The ideal candidate is proactive, highly organized, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This is a 9 - week , full-time opportunity from June 1 – July 31 , perfect for someone interested in pursuing a career in plant science, botany, horticulture, conservation, and related fields of research.The botanical intern reports to the Associate Curator, Orchids, but works under the direct supervision of the Orchid Specialist Horticulturist , performing duties that support staff in maintaining the orchid collection.S/he/they will demonstrate a background of working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic , and socioeconomic backgrounds, using a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible approach.Essential DutiesParticipate in Internship programming led by the Internship CoordinatorCreate and present a final project based on the work done during the 12-week internship on various projects outlined below.Approximately half of the assigned responsibilities will involve aiding in the curation of live plants, with the remaining half dedicated to assisting in orchid archival organization for the ongoing RAIL (Rapid Access Image Library) upload project.Assists in maintaining orchid collections under direct supervision by watering, transplanting, planting, grooming, fertilizing, and weeding.Assists in maintaining orchid-related exhibits by designing floral arrangements, creating educational content and interpretative signage, and mounting orchids in public spaces.Assists in planning, preparation, and setting up for orchid-related events such as shows, symposiums, and conferences.Assists in organizing and cataloging physical and digital assets relating to the orchid collection.Assists the Plant Records and GIS Mapping Specialist in managing and updating records pertaining to the orchid collection.May be asked to perform duties in other areas of the gardens as needed.Must adhere to written safety policy, following all precautions and directions in the use of equipment and chemicals.May perform other related duties as assignedCandidate Requirements and ExperienceKnowledge, skills, and abilities:Must be a current university student or recent graduate (1 year max)Must be able to operate light-powered equipment and should possess basic pruning and potting skills.Must be in good physical condition to stoop, bend, walk long distances, and lift moderate and, occasionally, heavy loads.Familiarity with the safe and proper use of hand tools and garden equipment.Must be able to work independently without constant supervision or be able to work in teams with volunteers.Working ConditionsMust be able to work in the botanical gardens, conservatories, and support nursery.Work outdoors in variable weather conditions and in climate-controlled growing spaces with tropical-like temperatures and humidity.Use of tools and equipment is common.Ability to perform physical work in the gardens and collections , which may include bending, pulling, stooping, hauling, and lifting up to 50 pounds from time to time.Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Working Environment: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job . They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this job.The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this internship . They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this internship .Internship EligibilityApplicants must be undergraduate or graduate students (minimum age 18) whose field of study aligns with the internship opportunity.This internship is available to Los Angeles area residents.The Huntington will not sponsor J-1 visas for internship participants at this time.Compensation & BenefitsWe provide competitive compensation, generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees including:Pay Rate: $17. 5 0/hr.Discounts for staff in The Huntington Store and restaurantsFree admission to various museums and cultural institutionsFree passes each month to welcome family and friends to visit the groundsThe Application ProcessPlease submit a cover letter and CV/resume as a single PDF attachment.You will have the opportunity to submit additional documents on the “My Experience” section of the application. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Jewish Education Project