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Horticultural Intern - Paid

The Town of Mt Crested Butte is excited to announce that we will be adding two (2) horticulture internships. This opportunity is aimed at providing students with field experience and education in park development, installation, and maintenance of various garden projects with an emphasis on xeric, native plant species and conservation. The second focus of the internship is to develop and implement a public education program to share the important role of native plants, pollinator gardens, and rain gardens in conserving natural ecosystems.
 
Mt. Crested Butte is nestled in a high valley of the Colorado Rockies at 9,375 feet. More specifically, it is in the southwest region of Colorado (western slope) and the western region of the Elk Mountain Range in the northern end of the upper Gunnison Valley. The closest ‘large’ town is Gunnison, with a population of 6700. The town has sub-alpine, alpine plant environment, with cool days, cold nights, and a relatively short growing season. The average rainfall is 10 to 20 inches a year.

The internship will involve working interactively with a small team of gardeners, groundskeepers, and maintenance technicians. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
·      Interns will be required to work 40 hours per week for a minimum of 8 weeks at $15/hour.
·      Projects will include primarily outdoor field work in variable mountain and inclement weather conditions.
·      Interns will have the opportunity to choose a project from a suggested list or special interest projects approved by the Parks Supervisor.
·      Candidates should be able to stoop, bend, and carry up to 40 pounds as much of their time will be spent at various sites around town.
·      Interns must be currently enrolled in a college institution.
·      Candidates must be willing to submit to a background check if accepted into the program.
·      Intern work will be supervised by the Parks Supervisor and other staff.
 
Primary Tasks
·      Maintenance and selection of drought tolerant and xeric plantings of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, grasses, and bulbs.
·      Perform seasonal landscape work including pruning, mowing, clean-up, bulb planting, dividing and transplanting, and leaf removal.
·      Scout and identify pests, disease, and invasive species.
·      Stage equipment, supplies, and materials for daily park operations.
·      Participate in trash removal procedures, as needed.
·      Maintain highest standards for park cleanliness and order throughout town, including sweeping and maintenance around features, planking, benches, and stairs.
·      Maintain equipment and tools needed to perform daily tasks.
·      Hand water and monitor irrigation of plantings, especially during time of establishment and drought.
 
Qualifications
·      Detail-oriented, with considerable attention to order and cleanliness throughout the park areas.
·      Willingness to work as part of a team or alone, in all weather conditions.
·      Ability to perform heavy physical labor daily.
·      Ability to use outdoor maintenance and power equipment; operate vehicles. 
·      Experience in landscape maintenance preferred.
·      Able to work overtime, weekends, holidays as needed.
·      Clean driving record and have a valid driver’s license. If you do not have a Colorado’s Driver’s License you will need to submit a seven year driving record from your State.

To apply please submit your cover letter and resume to Tiffany O’Connell at