Jobs & Internships

Position Overview

Native Plant Trust is seeking its next director of Development to lead the organization's fundraising and donor stewardship programs during an exciting time of renewal and planned growth.

The director of Development is a senior leadership role responsible for guiding Native Plant Trust’s fundraising and donor relations strategy, strengthening philanthropic systems and operations, and ensuring the organization has the current and future philanthropic support needed to fulfill its mission. Reporting to the chief executive officer, the director of Development partners closely with the board of trustees, development staff, program leadership, volunteers, and philanthropic partners to build an integrated, mission-aligned development function that supports the organization’s next phase of impact and growth.

The director of Development leads all philanthropic and donor engagement activities, including the donor circles program (Supporters, Sustainers, and Conservation Circle), major gifts, annual fund campaigns, planned giving, institutional partnerships, and donor stewardship. As a critical organizational leader and decision maker, this role balances strategic leadership with active relationship management, ensuring strong and sustained growth in philanthropic revenue, optimized development operations, a cohesive and rewarding donor experience, and high visibility of Native Plant Trust’s impact within the philanthropic community.

For the complete job description, candidate profile, and salary details, please see the position profile at DSG | Koya, which has been exclusively retained for this engagement. The search team is being led by Anne McCarthy, Liz Lombard, and Angie Sessoms.

To Express Interest

Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out the Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at 
nativeplanttrust_DOD@dsgco.com. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Two of Native Plant Trust’s core initiatives–the New England Plant Conservation Program (NEPCoP) and the Plant Conservation Volunteer (PCV) program–engage professional and community volunteers in rare species monitoring, habitat management, reintroduction and augmentation projects, and long-term conservation planning. We work closely with Natural Heritage programs and with conservation organizations in all six New England states.

Native Plant Trust is pleased to offer two 25-week internships in 2026. These positions with the New England Plant Conservation Program and Plant Conservation Volunteers program offer a range of hands-on learning opportunities. Interns work closely with Conservation Department staff, supporting these programs by communicating with landowners and volunteers to enable surveys of rare plants on public and private lands, using GIS and databases to gather and share information, and conducting field work including rare plant surveys, habitat management, and seed collection. Interns focus on an area of interest by working on an active botany, ecology, or conservation project, and are invited to join educational botanical field trips. Training is provided, and interns may also enroll in Native Plant Trust’s educational programs and courses.

These are non-exempt, hourly, full-time, seasonal positions based at our headquarters in Wayland, MA. Compensation is $15.00/hour for 40 hours/week for 25 weeks (max wages $15,000). The work schedule is 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday, with occasional early morning, evening, or weekend hours. Shared housing may be available at $300 per month. These positions report to the Community Science Coordinator and work collaboratively within the Conservation Department and with other Native Plant Trust Departments.

The ideal start date is Monday, February 23, 2026, with some flexibility.

Primary Responsibilities

● Communicate professionally with landowners, volunteers, and staff to enable surveys of rare plants on public and private lands both by phone and in writing

● Support volunteer surveys of rare plants and seed collection efforts by providing materials, timely information, and answers to questions

● Use GIS, databases, and other technology to map, and communicate information about rare plants

● Enter data and ensure the quality of observational and spatial data collected by volunteers

● Perform botanical surveys of rare plant species and their associated plant communities

● Participate in habitat management, seed collection, and other Departmental and organizational efforts

● Contribute to the advancement of an active botany, ecology, or conservation project and present results

Skills, Experience, Attributes, Education, and Certifications

● Demonstrated interest in conducting botanical field work

● Ability to communicate clearly (in writing and orally) and interact well with the public

● Strong organizational skills, and the ability to work on multiple projects while remaining detail and deadline oriented

● Willing to travel throughout New England

● Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, and other standard computer operating programs. Ability to perform basic spatial analysis and map making in ArcGIS Pro is preferred

● Some knowledge of the flora and habitats of New England is preferred.

● Personal transportation to regular work locations is required. Transportation will be provided to field sites.

Physical Demands and Work Environment Factors

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

● Sit or stand in an office while conducting computer work.

● Walk, stand, kneel, crouch, and crawl for extended periods of time in field sites with uneven terrain.

● Conduct field work during inclement weather.

● Engage with a computer screen, speakers, and video camera.

To Apply

Please submit a letter of interest and resume in a single PDF document to CommunityScience@NativePlantTrust.org, using the subject line “Conservation Intern Application” and your last name as the first word of the file name. Review of applications will begin Monday, January 5, 2026.

These positions exist thanks to the generous donors who funded the Herbert J. & Esther M. Atkinson/Lovejoy and Marylee Everett conservation internships.

Position Summary

Native Plant Trust is offering two seasonal internships at our propagation nursery, Nasami Farm, which produces plants for habitat restoration, wildlife landscapes, garden displays, and sale to the public at both our retail establishments, which are located at Nasami Farm, Whately, MA, and Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA. For more information, please explore www.NativePlantTrust.org.

The interns will gain hands-on experience identifying, propagating, and cultivating New England native plants. As a member of our small, dedicated nursery team, the interns assist in many facets of nursery and greenhouse operations, including propagation and care of numerous species, seed collection and processing, record keeping, and public information duties. This is an opportunity to gain valuable skills by learning from staff, coordinating volunteers, leading projects, and participating in the development of an expanding nursery. The interns will also complete a special project of their interest, participate in educational activities, network with professionals, and attend field trips. The internship provides entry into both native plant studies and nursery management.

These are non-exempt, hourly, seasonal positions with the option of part- to full-time hours/week, including weekends, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Based at our propagation nursery, Nasami Farm, in Whateley, MA, the position reports to the nursery manager. Compensation is $15.00/hour (total maximum of 960 hours/total maximum wages of $14,400 is divided between the two internships, determined by their individual schedules).

The position starts late May/early June 2026; end dates flexible, late August through October 2026.

Primary Responsibilities

Propagation and plant care

● Seedling transplanting, soil mixing, tray and pot filling, potting

● Watering, scouting, and pest control

● Seed scouting, collecting, cleaning

Facilities and grounds

● Assist in greenhouse systems maintenance and functioning

● Mowing and garden bed maintenance

Research, administration, and communications

● Detailed record keeping

● Interaction with customers, volunteers, colleagues, other interns

● Plant identification, culture, trials (per personal interest)

Skills, Experience, Attributes, Education, and Certifications

The ideal candidate should have/be:

● some botanical understanding

● familiarity with horticultural practices

● an interest in native plants of New England

● excellent communication skills

● comfortable with physical labor

● a strong desire to learn

● The ability to work independently and within a small team is highly prioritized.

● A working knowledge of Google Suite including Drive, Sheets, Docs and calendars is helpful.

Physical Demands and Work Environment Factors

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

● assist with moving soil bags weighing at least 50 lbs.

● may stand or sit for long periods of time

● may use repetitive wrist and hand motions involved in plant propagation and care

● reach, with hands and arms

● use specific vision abilities (close vision and color vision)

● work in all types of weather, including heat and humidity

Staff take all necessary precautions to protect health and safety.

To Apply

Please submit a letter of interest, resume, and three references (MS Word or PDF format, with your last name the first word of the file name) to Alexis Doshas, Nursery Manager, adoshas@nativeplanttrust.org, using the subject line “Allen Internship Application,” by March 9, 2026.

Our 2026 Horticulture internships at Garden in the Woods have been filled, and we are no longer accepting applications. Please check back in 2027.

Native Plant Trust is pleased to offer two 26-week internships in 2026, based at Garden in the Woods, our renowned native plant botanic garden in Framingham, MA. Interns assist in all aspects of botanic garden operations at Garden in the Woods, including instruction in ecological horticultural practices (such as planting, pruning, weed management, propagation, and seed collection), renovation and construction of new gardens, inventory and plant recordkeeping, and public education. They will gain hands-on experience identifying and cultivating native plants in a botanical garden. Interns are expected to undertake an independent study project and present the results to staff and garden members. There will be opportunities to take field trips and classes at Native Plant Trust. This is an exceptional learning opportunity to gain valuable career experience in caring for gardens and natural areas, planning and leading projects, and managing volunteers.

These are non-exempt, hourly, full-time, seasonal positions reporting to the director of Horticulture. Compensation is $15.00/hour for 40 hours/week for 26 weeks (max 1,040 hours, max wages $15,600). The work schedule is Monday - Friday, with weekend days. Horticulture interns working at Garden in the Woods can rent a room for the internship in a shared house, a 5-minute walk away from the Garden, for $300/month. This includes all utilities except the internet and phone.

The ideal start date is at the end of March/beginning of April 2026. End date in September 2026. Flexibility in start and end dates is available on a case-by-case basis.

Primary Responsibilities

Garden care and maintenance

• Weeding, editing, path and trail maintenance
• Planting, transplanting, plant propagation
• Plant identification, ecology, field trips, hands-on skill building
• Seed collection

Independent study, administration, and communication

• Research and preparation of an independent study presentation
• Detailed record keeping (plantings and moth project)
• Assist with garden-wide events, public programs, and retail garden shop logistics
• Interactions with colleagues, volunteers, staff, and public

Skills, Experience, Attributes, Education, and Certifications

The ideal candidate is passionate about ecology and eager to learn about ecological horticulture and native plants of New England. Strenuous manual labor, consistent with outdoor work in all types of weather, is expected and desired.

Physical Demands and Work Environment Factors

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• lift items weighing at least 50 lbs.
• stand or crouch for long periods of time
• may use repetitive wrist and hand motions involved in weeding, planting and general garden maintenance
• reach, with hands and arms
• use specific vision abilities (close vision and color vision)
• have some close visual contact with a computer monitor
• work outdoors in all weather conditions, from cold to hot, and raining to full sunshine. Reasonable accommodations are provided during the summer months when excessive heat may be present, including breaks for water and shade or shifts in schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day.

To Apply

Please submit a letter of interest and resume (MS Word or PDF format, with your last name the first word of the file name), along with three references to Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture, ulorimer@nativeplanttrust.org, using the subject line “Horticulture Intern Application.”

Application deadline is February 15, 2026.