College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

Gardens and Grounds Management

Employment type: Full-Time
Application Due Date: May 1, 2026

HIDDEN LAKE GARDENS

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

 

INTERNSHIP POSITION: Gardens and Grounds Management

 

OBJECTIVE

To expose the student to the many facets of professional gardening, grounds management, and public horticulture. To provide the student with physical, hands-on experiences in horticulture, landscape, and lawn maintenance.

 

DESCRIPTION

Hidden Lake Gardens is a 755 acre public botanical garden and arboretum in the Irish Hills region of southeast Michigan, consisting of gardens, conservatory, plant collections, and natural areas. Specific gardens include Demonstration Garden, Elardo Shade Garden, Visitor Center gardens, and entry gardens. Plant collections include dwarf and rare conifers, hosta, and bonsai.

 

Hidden Lake Gardens is open 362 days of the year, attracts over 80,000 visitors, and is supported by 2,300 members and 120 volunteers. The botanical garden and arboretum are available to the public for educational, recreational, social, and cultural events.

 

WORK SCHEDULE

Interns work up to 30 hours per week. Approximately 15 weeks from May through August; other monthly timeframes are available to accommodate student’s schedules or requirements. Some weekend and evening work may be required. General daily work schedule is 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

 

COMPENSATION

To be determined.

We do accept unpaid interns seeking academic credits in lieu of hourly wages.

 

DUTIES

Assist staff in the maintenance of the gardens and plant collections including planting, mulching, mowing, watering, pruning, propagating, weeding, deadheading, fertilizing, and pest control. Also, work with staff in maintaining water features, pathways, Hiking trails, structures, and other hardscape elements. May also be opportunities for assisting staff in plant records, labeling, mapping, and conservatory/greenhouse.

 

PREREQUISITES

Must be a college, university, or vocational student in good standing, master gardener trainee, or pursuing a certification in horticulture, botany, environmental science, or similar program; must be willing to work outdoors in various weather conditions; must be willing to perform physical tasks such as lifting landscape materials, pushing wheelbarrows, using gardening tools, climbing ladders, and operating power equipment. Must be able to work independently and within a team. Must have an energetic and enthusiastic attitude. Must be prompt, communicative, reliable, and dependable.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Internship applications accepted on a rolling basis.

 

TO APPLY

Submit current resume plus name and contact information for three references including address and phone to:

Internship Program

Hidden Lake Gardens - Michigan State University 6214 Monroe Road Tipton, MI 49287 517-431-2060

hlg@msu.edu