Herbarium Intern

About the Role

The Herbarium Technician / Collections Assistant plays a key role in managing and enhancing the herbarium collection according to museum best practices. This position blends hands‑on specimen work, digital collections management, fieldwork, and collaboration with volunteers and staff.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Process plant specimens and accession them into the herbarium collection

• Digitize herbarium specimens, including:

  • Specimen preparation and handling

  • Photography and image management

  • Uploading images and transcribing labels

  • Updating and maintaining catalogue records

• Assist with improving digitization workflows, including the use of public participation platforms and emerging AI tools

• Prepare work plans for herbarium volunteers and provide guidance and support during their activities

• Assist with floristic surveys, including specimen collection, record keeping, verification, and reporting

• Identify plants in the field and in pressed form, including woody and herbaceous species from a variety of habitats

• Perform additional duties as required, including occasional support for ecological restoration projects

Knowledge and Qualifications

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of southern Ontario flora

• Experience using taxonomic keys and botanical terminology

• Solid understanding of plant nomenclature and taxonomy

Skills and Experience

• Hands‑on experience creating, processing, and handling herbarium specimens

• Experience with spreadsheets, databases, record‑keeping, and data entry

• Excellent organizational skills, particularly for field notes and specimen documentation

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment

• Experience using ArcGIS or other GIS tools is considered an asset

Why Work at RBG?

At RBG, you will be part of a mission‑driven organization dedicated to plant conservation, research, and education. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with an important botanical collection, contribute to biodiversity knowledge, and support conservation efforts that extend well beyond our gardens.

If you are meticulous, curious, and excited about connecting plants, data, and people, we encourage you to apply.

RBG is committed to becoming an environmentally sustainable organization.  This is an integral part of our corporate culture, and we require all our employees to assist us with this goal. Employees need to be committed to making the best ecological decisions possible in the execution of their responsibilities, keeping in mind the possible effects decisions may have on both the human and natural environments now and into the future.

Please submit applications to www.rbg.ca/careers by January 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Please submit your cover letter and resume as one pdf file saved using the naming convention of your first then last name and position title (e.g Jane Smith Garden Interpreter.pdf). 

RBG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodation is available under the Accessibility for Ontarians Act.  We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance our recruitment process, ensuring efficiency and fairness. AI helps us review applications consistently, match skills to job requirements, and streamline communication. All decisions are guided by human oversight to uphold our commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity. If you have questions about the use of AI in this process, feel free to contact hr@rbg.ca.