Arboretum Plant Collections Management Internship

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Arboretum at Penn State is offering one paid (starting at $14.00/hour) internship in plant curation and collections management for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates interested in career paths in museum studies, plant science, horticulture, biology, GIS, or related topics. This position will run for up to 6 months, preferably beginning in April and ending in October; however these dates are negotiable.

This is a short-term position for up to 40-hours per week;full-time equivalent hours will not exceed 16 weeks. Scheduled internship activities generally take place between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on weekdays with few exceptions for professional development opportunities and field trips. This is a hybrid position with some remote work opportunities available, although the majority of time will be spent on-site at the Arboretum.

Experience:

This internship will help develop skills relevant to a career in collections management, plant curation, and professional horticulture. This position will work with the Arboretum's Curator of Living Collections to manage the Arboretum's plant collections utilizing IrisBG recordkeeping software and other technology, as well as mapping, labeling, and inventorying the living collections. This position will also introduce interns to the world of research, public gardens, media, and visitor services.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist in the management of the Arboretum's plant records system using IrisBG recordkeeping software (e.g., verify plant nomenclature and ID; accession, de-accession, update records, export and import reports and data) for internal and public use.
• Collect GPS field data using mobile mapping and GIS technology to assist with plant records, public mapping projects, and research at the Arboretum.
• Create and fabricate public-facing plant display labels, accession tags, commemorative plaques, and other signage in-house for the Arboretum's plant collections.
• Conduct annual plant field inventories in the Arboretum's botanic gardens and greenhouse facilities.
• Research and create plant-specific information about the Arboretum's collections for web, print, and social media distribution.
• Assist with plant specimen collection for research, herbarium, educational, or disease testing purposes.
• Compile, organize, and archive images of Arboretum plants and commemorative assets.
• Assist with supply inventories and other operational/visitor service tasks as needed.

Qualifications:

• Applicants should be undergraduates, graduate students, or recent graduates and should demonstrate a strong interest in horticulture, plant science, biology, environmental studies, GIS, geography, museum studies, or library and information science. This position will require working outside in variable weather conditions. The preferred applicant will demonstrate a working knowledge of plant ID skills/taxonomy or the desire to learn. Strong organizational ability, attention to detail, familiarity working with data sets, Microsoft Office suites, ArcGIS applications (desired), and the ability to learn new software and technology will be expected. Preference will be given to candidates who can explain how this opportunity will help them reach their career goals.

Requirements:

• Resume or CV
• Cover Letter
• Contact information for at least two professional references with one of these highly preferred as a written letter of recommendation.

Application deadline is Friday, Jan 31, 2025. Interviews will be scheduled beginning in February 2025.

This job requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid USdriver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required.

This job requires the following 3 publicly available clearances:
* PA State Police Criminal Background Check
* PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form
* FBI Criminal Background Check

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: