Horticulture Summer Intern 2026 - Full Time

Description

**For consideration, please provide a cover letter and resume.

Philbrook Museum of Art is a vibrant cultural institution in Tulsa, Oklahoma that welcomes approximately 150,000 visitors each year. A 1920s Italianate Villa nestled in 25 acres of designed gardens, the Museum features selections from an actively growing collection of approximately 16,000 objects. The Philbrook Gardens include fiver major gardens, five smaller gardens, four historical structures, 17 works of art, an urban forest numbering over 1,000 trees, and Crow Creek, a tributary of the Arkansas River. The gardens have been a growing emphasis for the institution in recent years and are now a keystone of the museum’s programming.

Philbrook holds the visitor at the core of its mission, which is to make a creative and connected community through art and gardens. Philbrook recognizes that integral to our own mission is to seek out, learn from, and support those already engaged in community building efforts. Our own efforts toward creating a safe place for belonging, learning, inspiration, and fun begins with transparency and accountability to our institutional values:

Values: Core beliefs that guide our conduct

• Creativity: We regard learning, creativity, and the investigation of ideas as a vital, life-long pursuit. We advocate for inquiry, debate, play, experimentation, and collaboration in all our activities, programs, and practices.
• Wellbeing: We believe art and gardens are essential to the physical and emotional wellbeing of our community. We create and support opportunities for relaxation, inspiration, reflection, exercise, and fun.
• Relevance: We embrace our role as civic influencers to spark dialogue and promote positive change; increase access to diverse ideas, cultures, and perspectives; champion social justice; and be relevant and welcoming to all.
• Sustainability: We strive to employ sustainable practices to preserve our collection, campus, and environment for future generations. We exercise fiscal responsibility to ensure short- and long-term viability and maximize our impact.

Internship Overview

Philbrook Museum of Art seeks applications for a Horticultural Intern. The Horticultural Intern is responsible for assisting the horticulture staff with the daily maintenance of the gardens including but not limited to, all aspects of plant health care and day-to-day horticulture operations as assigned by the Horticulture Manager. The Intern will be required to complete either a special garden project or maintain a garden journal.

The Internship is intended to supplement the learning experience directly in relation to the field of study and provide the building blocks for a career in the horticulture industry. The applicant should be currently enrolled in, or recently graduated with, a Horticulture Science degree or a related degree, or have one year of related experience, paid or unpaid, with the intent of starting a career in the horticulture industry. Previous experience in gardening is preferred and the Intern should enjoy physical outdoor work in the Oklahoma climate. The Internship is paid and expected to work 35 hours a week, Monday-Friday, for a 12-week duration beginning in May. Due to Horticulture programs an occasional evening shift may be required.

What You Will Do

The intern will rotate through the various gardens and gain skills in areas such as weeding, watering, pruning, deadheading, mulching, IPM, and plant identification; in addition to learning other aspects of maintaining a display garden. Maintaining prompt and reliable attendance is critical to successfully perform the duties of this internship.

Horticulture Operations

• Plant and maintain seasonal flower displays, perennials, and containers.
• Monitor plants for issues and report concerns to the Horticulture Manager.
• Perform pruning, fertilizing, disease and pest control, minor irrigation repairs, greenhouse production duties, and other tasks as assigned.
• Maintain and repair tools and equipment, water systems, and garden furniture and fixtures, as needed.
• Report equipment issues to the Horticulture Manager.

Administrative

• Under leadership of the Horticulture Manager, achieve an individual project that contributes to the Horticulture Department’s short- and long-term plans consistent with Philbrook’s mission, vision, & strategic plan; or maintain a detailed journal.
• Greet, interact with, and provide information to visitors.
• Maintain the security and integrity of the grounds.
• Follow safety policies and procedures. Keep everyone’s safety and experience at the forefront.

Requirements

What You Will Bring

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

• Basic knowledge of horticulture science and techniques such as: ornamental plant maintenance, plant propagation, herb and vegetable gardens, disease and pest management, and basic small engine operation and maintenance preferred. Learning is expected and is the purpose of the internship.
• Basic interpersonal communication skills required for visitor interaction.
• Must be able to meet physical demands and working conditions.
• Valid driver license required

Education or Equivalent Experience

• Must be enrolled in or recently graduated from an institution studying horticulture or a related field
• - OR -
• One year experience, paid or unpaid, with the intent of starting a career in the horticulture industry

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Philbrook is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. At Philbrook, we value a diverse and inclusive workforce. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.