Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark and accredited museum in Miami, Florida (www.vizcaya.org). The Horticulture Intern is a hands-on position that performs general landscape maintenance duties and assists in ensuring the effective care of horticultural displays and living collections. The position is on the Engagement & Cultural Resources Team in the Horticulture & Sustainability Department and reports to the Senior Horticulturist and Horticulture Manager. Vizcaya is owned by Miami-Dade County and is operated by the non-profit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, Inc. Our mission is to preserve the estate’s cultural and environmental resources to engage people in connecting with the past, understanding the present and shaping the future. Our vision is to position Vizcaya as an enduring, inclusive and innovative place that inspires people to embrace the cultural vitality and environmental sustainability of the world around us.

Essential Functions

Under the guidance of the Urban Farm Horticulturist, participate in and learn daily hands-on urban farming related activities.
Under supervision, maintain urban farming and edible garden–focused areas. Maintain ornamental pots and elevated growing beds.
Under supervision, maintain a clean and organized nursery environment.
Work with a wide variety of hand tools and landscape power equipment.
If required, manage volunteer teams on various garden-related tasks.
Work with vermiculture and limited composting operations.

This job description is not designed to be comprehensive; duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Learning Opportunities:

The intern will gain experience in tasks that are needed in the establishment of day-to-day operations of a growing and organically run urban farm spread amongst several locations on the Vizcaya property.
Learn the propagation techniques essential to grow plants from seed, cuttings, and divisions.
Learn how to harvest crops effectively and efficiently, and how to prepare and store harvests for later use.
Learn how to use common landscape hand tools and power equipment.
Learn about volunteer management and leading volunteer teams.
Gain experience in crop and harvest planning and scheduling.
Learn basic nursery management skills
Learn to identify edible plants that thrive and produce in the South Florida climate.

Position Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent, and some course work or experience in horticulture, gardening, urban farming, or a closely related field is preferred but not required.
Capable of carrying up to 50 lbs. and working outside in all weather conditions, able to stand for long periods of time and safely traverse uneven surfaces.
Ability to work independently as required or as part of a group.
Understanding of and some experience with general garden maintenance practices.
Positive attitude, good interpersonal skills, flexibility and commitment to collaboration and customer service.
A passion for growing plants, connecting people with them, and a passion for the natural world.
English fluency.

Factors Vizcaya Will Consider When Evaluating Applicants and Determining Compensation

Additional relevant work experience, training and education.
Additional experience in horticulture and landscape techniques including fertilization and weed control.
Horticulture Professional Certificate or, in lieu of a Certificate, 1 year of the above experience.
Spanish, Haitian Creole and other language skills

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a part-time (up to 30 hours per week) position with a duration of up to 12 weeks. Periodic evening and weekend work may be required.

To Apply

Please submit a resume to: Internship@vizcaya.org. Please reference the position title in the subject line of your email.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is committed to equity and inclusion and is engaged in a strategic process to ensure that our staff, Board and volunteers reflect our community’s

diversity. Vizcaya welcomes applicants from groups that are underrepresented in cultural organizations and seeks to recruit, develop and retain a diverse workforce. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is an equal opportunity employer. Vizcaya respects people of all backgrounds and does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, familial status, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, or other applicable legally protected characteristics protected by law.