Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

Located in the “garden capital of the United States,” the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College has been called “the most beautiful campus in America.” The Scott Arboretum is the 400-plus acre campus of Swarthmore College, an excellent liberal arts college, located 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia.

Established in 1929, the Arboretum has been accredited as a level III arboretum by ArbNet. Volunteers play a key role in activities and assist the full time staff of about 20 in maintaining the gardens and collections, and conducting educational programming. For more information, visit scottarboretum.org.

Volunteers play a key role in activities and assist full-time staff of about 20 people in maintaining outstanding collections of woody ornamentals of over 4,000 taxa and a variety of special gardens. For more information visit www.scottarboretum.org.

The opportunity:

The Scott Arboretum Summer Internship offers a unique work experience in a campus arboretum well-suited to an individual interested in a career in ornamental/public horticulture. On-the-job training includes exposure to garden maintenance, plant records and curation, plant propagation, and volunteer interaction. Summer interns rotate with gardening staff affording exposure to all areas of the Scott Arboretum including a sustainable rose garden, intimate garden settings of the Cunningham House, Fragrance Garden, Pollinator Garden, and Harry Wood Garden, green roofs, and seasonal container gardening featuring unusual annuals and tropical plants. Other opportunities typically include: admittance to the Woody Plant Conference, weekly plant walks, lunch with the Director, field excursions to visit area gardens, sessions with staff, equipment use demonstration, and writing Plants of the Week, a feature on the arboretum’s blog, Garden Seeds.

Essential Responsibilities

• Work activities to include working with gardening staff and volunteers
• Special project development and area garden work
• Participates in summer intern field trips
• Educational programming at the Scott Arboretum
• Travel and professional development support of $6,000 for conferences, travel, and programs based on proposal approvals
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Interested in a career in ornamental/public horticulture

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Come join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications including resume and cover letter with pay expectations by January 31, 2023.

PA Criminal Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Review the Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook, we offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)*

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.