Company description

Queens Botanical Garden is an urban oasis where people, plants and cultures are celebrated through inspiring gardens, innovative educational programs, and demonstrations of environmental stewardship.

Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) is a private non-profit cultural institution located on 39 acres of New York City public land in Flushing, New York. In FY24, the Garden served approximately 282,000 visitors, including 22,000 schoolchildren. A recently completed visitor survey reveals that 45% of visitors speak a language other than English at home. This fact underscores the importance of the mission and the challenges and opportunities QBG faces daily in creating programs, exhibits and landscapes that serve the needs of people who live in and visit one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the nation. The Garden has committed itself to addressing the complex and ever-changing needs of its diverse community and to being the place where people, plants, and cultures meet.

Internship description

QBG Compost is a place where New Yorkers can participate in and learn about composting through tours, workshops, internships, and volunteer opportunities. Compost is made and applied to promote soil and plant health. Compost is used across the botanical garden and the Farm and distributed to those who participate in Food Scrap Drop-Offs.

Queens Botanical Garden seeks interns for the QBG Compost Site. The interns will support the Compost staff with all aspects of on-site composting. We are looking for dedicated, hard-working individuals with a keen interest in composting.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore environmental justice principles and how equitable access to composting and sustainable waste management benefits underserved communities
• Cultivate an in-depth awareness about food scrap recycling and waste reduction in NYC
• Gain proficiency in composting by processing food waste and helping to manage onsite compost piles
• Develop and teach compost themed workshops

Qualifications:

• Self-motivated, excellent communicator, with the ability to work alone as well as with others
• Demonstrate reliability with consistent attendance and punctuality
• Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions
• Interest in food waste reduction
• Willing to work in an environment that can be messy, including food scraps and horticulture waste, with occasional exposure to strong odors
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds safely
• Ability to perform diverse, sometimes repetitive, tasks that can be physically demanding

Schedule:

This is a part-time seasonal position. Multiple positions available from February through May for 14 hours per week. A flexible schedule may be worked out to accommodate school or other needs.

Compensation:  $17/hour

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

February 07, 2025