Ruth Borun Nursery Internship

Position: Ruth Borun Horticultural Intern
Department: Horticulture and Garden Operations
Status: Seasonal Intern; 30 hours/week for 34 weeks
Reports to: Manager of Horticulture & Collections
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Descanso gardens is an urban retreat located 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, Descanso Gardens is a place of year-round natural beauty, with internationally renowned botanical collections and spectacular seasonal horticultural displays. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums as a museum of living collections, Descanso Gardens welcomes more than 750,000 visitors annually. The principal collections include California native plants and oak woodlands; one of the largest collections of camellias in the Western Hemisphere; a rose garden with specimens from all corners of the globe; and significant presentations of lilacs, cherry trees and cycads. Descanso Gardens has been designated an
International Camellia Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society. The Gardens are operated by the Descanso Gardens Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in a public-private partnership with Los Angeles County. The annual budget of $15 million is funded by memberships, philanthropic gifts, fees and support from Los Angeles County.

In 2022 through a generous gift of the Borun family, the Ruth Borun Nursery and Propagation Center at Descanso Gardens was established as the first phase in a multiyear Master Plan. The nursery supports the Gardens primarily through three avenues; the conservation of rare and unique cultivars either generated through historic breeding at Descanso, or no longer found in the trade, expanding support of native habitat through the establishment of a diverse native plant propagation program and supporting seasonal ornamental planting for displays.

INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION:
The Ruth Borun Horticultural Intern will train in the propagation of the Gardens' camellia, lilac, rose, California natives and ornamental collections under the direction of the Manager of Horticulture and Nursery Horticulturist. They will then spend a corresponding period with each section horticulturist. The Intern will work for a period of 8 months from November 2nd, 2026 to June 30th, 2027, for six hours a day, five days a week. The Intern reports to the Manager of Horticulture & Collections and will work with a team to learn all areas of the horticulture operations at Descanso Gardens, contributing to the sustainability of our plant collections and gaining key experience in all facets of plant propagation.

INTERNSHIP TIME COMMITTMENT:
The Intern will be expected to work 30 hours per week for 34 weeks between November 2nd, 2026 – June 30th, 2027.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Includes but are not limited to:
  Assists the Nursery Horticulturist in maintaining the nursery and greenhouse through watering, fertilizing, grooming, transplanting, and weeding.
• Sources, acquires, and propagates plants to support and enhance the Gardens collections and displays under the direction of the Horticulture team
• Maintains and develops a propagation schedule
• Assists with labelling and databasing protocols in the Nursery
• Works with each section horticulturist (Camellias, Roses, Displays, California Natives, Plant Records) to develop a thorough understanding of the collections plants in their landscape
• Assists with maintaining seed inventories
• Maintains and develops propagation infrastructure, irrigation and greenhouse facilities
• Assists section horticulturists in the development of seasonal displays and educational content.
• Leads volunteer teams in nursery assignments
• Keeps daily work journal documenting projects and responsibilities throughout internship.
• Intern must write a letter to the Borun family detailing their experience upon the completion of their internship.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Qualified applicants will present a demonstrable interest in horticulture and the propagation of plants.
Must be able to lift 40 lbs.
Must be able to work under variable weather conditions including heat, cold and rain.

COMPENSATION:
$18.50/hourly

Work Location: In person

TO APPLY
Interested applicants may apply by submitting a PDF or MS Word Letter of Interest and
Resume to [email protected] with "Ruth Borun Internship 2026" in the
subject line. We will accept resumes until the position is filled.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. I have received, reviewed, and fully understood the job description. I further understand that I am responsible for the satisfactory execution of the essential functions described.

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Employee Signature                               Date
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Employee