Wild Gardens of Acadia Intern - Bar Harbor, United States - Friends of Acadia

Description

Job Description

POSITION: Wild Gardens of Acadia Intern

LOCATION: At the Wild Gardens of Acadia, Sieur de Monts Spring, Acadia National Park

REPORTING TO: Wild Gardens of Acadia Supervisory Gardener

JOB STATUS: Seasonal (total hours not to exceed 500 from early June through Labor Day)

FOA is committed to providing an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming environment for visitors, volunteers and staff from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

JOB SUMMARY: Friends of Acadia is accepting applications for the Wild Gardens of Acadia Intern for the 2024 summer season. Located at Sieur de Monts in Acadia National Park, the Wild Gardens of Acadia is an important park destination with thirteen habitats displaying native plants in habitats that are similar to those found in the park. Habitats range from deciduous and coniferous woods to a beach, bog, pond, roadside, and mountain. A committee of volunteers, the Supervisory Gardener, and the Wild Gardens of Acadia Intern manage the Wild Gardens in partnership with the National Park Service and Friends of Acadia. Friends of Acadia also provides financial and administrative support.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Perform regular maintenance activities, such as weeding, watering, transplanting, pruning, raking paths, turning compost, and setting up informational materials.

1. Learn about the habitats in the Wild Gardens, the native plants in those habitats, and the importance of conserving native plants.

1. Greet visitors to the Wild Gardens and answer their questions with patience and politeness. Share with visitors the importance of native plants. Respectfully inform visitors of Wild Gardens' policies (e.g., no pets allowed, no picnicking, etc.) if visitors are observed ignoring them.

1. Complete daily log of work activities. Record observations of visitor use and impacts, maintenance needs, and visitor comments, compliments, and complaints.

1. Work with the Supervisory Gardener and volunteers to plan and implement special events, such as garden tours.

1. Assist with preparing educational materials, such as information for the Wild Gardens' bulletin boards or new children's activities.

1. Write an end-of season evaluation of work experience with FOA and ANP.

1. Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Excellent communication and people skills. Ability to follow through on directions. Willingness to work independently and take initiative. Knowledge of or willingness to learn about Acadia National Park, native plants, and gardening. Must be eager and capable of working hard at a physically and socially demanding job which may involve lifting 50 pounds, bending, kneeling, raking, working in inclement weather (hot, cold, or wet), and attending to routine tasks. Reasonable accommodations will be made. Flexibility to adapt to quickly changing work demands and schedules and ability to be prepared for anything on any given day. Botany coursework helpful.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The Wild Gardens of Acadia Intern works primarily in the Gardens. The job may involve moderate risks or significant discomfort. Some work may be conducted at the on-site gardening shed or at the FOA offices.

COMPENSATION: The Wild Gardens of Acadia intern position is a seasonal position (hours not to exceed 500 from early June – Labor Day. Start and end dates to be determined by candidate's academic calendar. Hours and days off to be arranged with Supervisory Gardener. Intern will work no more than 40 hours per week. Weekend work may be required. WAGES: $17.85/hour. Pay period: Every two weeks. Housing: Not provided. UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT: Successful applicant will be provided with Wild Gardens uniform shirts, a pair of boots or shoes for use on the job (up to $200), rain jacket, hat, fleece jacket, nametag, and up to $150-worth of pants, rain pants, or shorts for use at the Gardens. Successful applicant must wear tidy, non-ripped clothing while working in the Gardens.

TO APPLY: Submit cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three references.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 5, 2024. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

Friends of Acadia is an equal opportunity employer. Founded in 1986, the organization's mission is to preserve, protect, and promote stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and the surrounding community for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations.

It is the policy of FOA to provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees in compliance with all applicable laws. This policy applies in all aspects of the employment relationship including (but not limited to) recruiting, selection, placement, supervision, working conditions, compensation, training, promotion, and termination.

FOA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, reproductive health decision-making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, in connection with any aspect of employment at FOA.