Join a Great Team, Work for a Great Cause
Passionate about native plant conservation, horticulture, or botanical education?
Native Plant Trust welcomes your skills and enthusiasm! We provide a collaborative, congenial atmosphere for our employees at our headquarters and botanic garden, Garden in the Woods, in Framingham, MA, and at our native plant nursery, Nasami Farm, in Whately, MA. See the green boxes below for descriptions of open positions.
We also provide rewarding internships in our Conservation, Horticulture, and Public Programs departments. Our internships offer opportunities to get your hands dirty (literally) while gaining valuable experience. Scroll down the page to learn about the internships available for the next year.
Want to volunteer with us? Volunteers fill crucial roles in all aspects of our work. Read about our Plant Conservation Volunteer program and our other volunteer opportunities.
About Native Plant Trust
Native Plant Trust leads the movement to conserve native plants in the wild and use them in designed spaces. We do this to increase the beauty and resilience of New England and the planet. From our base in Massachusetts, staff and trained volunteers work throughout New England to monitor and protect rare and endangered plants, collect and preserve seeds to ensure biological diversity, detect and control invasive species, conduct research, and offer a range of educational programs.
We welcome visitors from all over the world to Garden in the Woods, our renowned native plant botanic garden in Framingham. We also operate a nursery at Nasami Farm in western Massachusetts and manage six plant sanctuaries in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont that are open to the public. Native Plant Trust is the nation’s first plant conservation organization, the only one solely focused on New England’s native plants, and among the first organizations worldwide to receive Advanced Conservation Practitioner accreditation by London-based Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), which included an endorsement by an International Advisory Council representing six continents. Please visit www.NativePlantTrust.org for more information.
Native Plant Trust is entering an exciting time of transition and expansion. On the eve of our 125th anniversary, the board and staff seek to elevate the visibility and impact of the organization with an anticipated doubling of staff in the next five years. Doing so requires strategically investing in staff, systems, and programs that facilitate organizational growth and growth in the movement to protect native plants in the wild and use them in the built environment.
Native Plant Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access and to being a welcoming and safe place for all who engage with us. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
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Major Gifts Officer
Position Summary
The major gifts officer will be joining the organization at an exciting time of growth. The candidate will have the opportunity to impact the future of Native Plant Trust’s philanthropic programs during the 125th anniversary in 2025 and beyond.The major gifts officer will be a key member of a growing Philanthropy team—currently six people—working with fundraising and program staff, the Development Committee, and Board of Trustees to support a $5M+ operating budget plus capital projects and endowment funds in alignment with the organization’s strategic goals. Reporting to the director of Philanthropy and working closely with the CEO, the major gifts officer will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors at the $25,000+ level to execute both short- and long-term philanthropic initiatives.
Responsibilities
● Maintain a personal portfolio to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects toward the goal of securing philanthropic support.● Partner with trustees, Council members, and/or other volunteers in fundraising activities; supporting with coaching as needed.
● Work collaboratively with program directors to learn about their priority needs, advise on potential funder outreach, facilitate discussions and site visits with prospective funders, and coach colleagues in funder relations.
● Work closely with the Philanthropy manager, especially with regard to progressing pipeline members and mid-level donors through to the major gifts program, and assisting with cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising events.
● Interact with prospects and donors on a regular basis, adhering to the highest ethical standards, and producing timely contact reports that include relevant next-steps.
● Prepare solicitation letters, stewardship correspondence, proposals and reports, and review pledge forms and gift acknowledgements.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have at least five years’ major gift experience, preferably in environmental and conservation fields, and will be familiar with the current landscape of philanthropy in New England, including planned giving. They will be self- motivated, have a thorough understanding of fundraising best practices, and be able to handle confidential information with care and sensitivity.They will be demonstrably proactive in furthering donor relationships and creating strategic connections for the organization, experienced in small and large fundraising events and incorporating fundraising components into programmatic events. They will be confident in accurately representing the organization, and speaking to others across multiple sectors about its mission, work, challenges, and opportunities. Significant experience in direct, one-to-one solicitations and experience working with funders at the local, regional, and national levels to secure six-figure gifts is preferred.
The candidate will be highly organized, adept at multi-tasking and adapting to changing and competing needs/priorities, and will demonstrate creativity, problem-solving, and planning skills both working independently and as part of a team.
They should have proficiency in databases such as Altru by Blackbaud, Google, Microsoft Office, and other web-hosted services coupled with exemplary interpersonal, oral, written, and presentation skills. They will be able to convey compelling impact stories about complex projects and maintain close attention to detail while following proposal guidelines.
This is an exempt, year-round, benefit-eligible position with a starting salary of $75,000 - $90,000 per year. The position requires some evening and weekend work, regular travel throughout New England, and is based at the headquarters office in Wayland, MA.
To Apply
Email a letter of interest and resume (MS Word or PDF, with your last name at the beginning of the file name) to development@nativeplanttrust.org by end of day on Monday, October 14, 2024.
Annual Internships
Native Plant Trust offers the following annual internships in conservation, horticulture, and marketing (Public Programs).
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Herbert J. and Esther M. Atkinson Conservation Internship; Lovejoy Conservation Internship (2024 application period is closed)
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.
Description
Native Plant Trust is offering two 25-week internships for the 2024 field season. The two conservation internships offer a range of learning opportunities in areas that are integral to NEPCoP and the PCV programs, from coordinating with landowners and volunteers to conducting botanical surveys and processing data. Interns will work with conservation staff to create a personal education plan, have the opportunity to take Native Plant Trust’s educational programs and courses at no cost, and participate in seminars and an informal reading and discussion group in the conservation department.
In addition, the intern will complete an independent project on a topic of interest in botany, ecology, and/or conservation. Interns based in New England will also have the option of participating in botanically-interesting field trips and our seasonal contract work, which may include the planning and implementation of habitat restoration and management activities, invasive species initiatives, and seed collection.Desired Skills
Candidates should be passionate about plant conservation, have some familiarity with the flora of New England and associated ecological systems, excellent speaking and writing skills, a willingness to call landowners to secure access to their property, and a sense of humor. Experience with volunteers and data management is preferred. Interns must respect and maintain the confidentiality of rare species locations and sensitive data. Access to a personal vehicle is strongly recommended.
Details
Starting date: April 8, 2024, but can be flexible.
Location: Based at our headquarters in Wayland, MA (~10 min drive from Garden in the Woods in Framingham). Interns have the option of renting a room for the duration of the internship, in a house steps away from Garden in the Woods, for $300/month. This includes all utilities except internet and phone.
Hours and Compensation: 40 hours/week at $15.00/hour.
To Apply
Submit cover letter, resume, and list of three references by February 9, 2024, by email to:
Frederick (Erik) Sechler
Ecological Programs Coordinator
Please note that Native Plant Trust is not able to support the visa process for international applicants.
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Marylee Everett Internship (2024 application period is closed)
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.
Description
Native Plant Trust is offering one 13-week conservation internship for the 2024 field season. The internship offers a range of learning opportunities in areas that are integral to the NEPCoP and the PCV programs, from coordinating with landowners and volunteers to conducting botanical surveys and processing data. The intern will work with conservation staff to create a personal education plan, have the opportunity to take Native Plant Trust’s educational programs and courses at no cost, and participate in seminars and an informal reading and discussion group in the conservation department.
In addition, the intern will complete an independent project on a topic of interest in botany, ecology, and/or conservation. Interns based in New England will also have the option of participating in botanically-interesting field trips and our seasonal contract work, which may include the planning and implementation of habitat restoration and management activities, invasive species initiatives, and seed collection.
Desired Skills
Candidates should be passionate about plant conservation, have some familiarity with the flora of New England and associated ecological systems, excellent speaking and writing skills, a willingness to call landowners to secure access to their property, and a sense of humor. Experience with volunteers and data management is preferred. Interns must respect and maintain the confidentiality of rare species locations and sensitive data. Access to a personal vehicle is strongly recommended.
Details
Starting date: April 8, 2024, but can be flexible.
Location: Based at our headquarters in Wayland, MA (~10 min drive from Garden in the Woods in Framingham). Interns have the option of renting a room for the duration of the internship, in a house steps away from Garden in the Woods, for $300/month. This includes all utilities except internet and phone.
Hours and Compensation: 40 hours/week at $15.00/hour.
To Apply
Submit cover letter, resume, and list of three references by February 9, 2024, by email to:
Frederick (Erik) Sechler
Ecological Programs Coordinator
Please note that Native Plant Trust is not able to support the visa process for international applicants.
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Chester B. Allen, Jr., Native Plant Propagation and Horticulture Internship (2024 application period is closed)
Description
Native Plant Trust is offering a 28-week propagation internship at our nursery at Nasami Farm, which produces plants for habitat restoration, wildlife landscapes, garden displays, and sale to the public at both the nursery and Garden in the Woods. For more information, please visit
www.NativePlantTrust.org.
The intern will gain hands-on experience identifying, propagating, and cultivating New England native plants. As a member of our small, dedicated nursery team, the intern assists in many facets of nursery operations, including propagation of numerous species, retail plant sales, 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 intern 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.
Desired Skills
Candidates should possess some botanical understanding, familiarity with horticultural practices, an interest in native plants of New England, excellent communication skills, and a strong desire to learn.
Details
Location: Nasami Farm, Whately, MA
Application Deadline: Jan. 29, 2024
Duration and Start Date: 6 months (28 weeks), starting late March/early April
Hours and Compensation: 40 hours/week at $15.00/hour. One weekend day is required; schedule is typically Tuesday-Saturday.
Native Plant Trust is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
To Apply
Submit via email or mail a resume, cover letter, and a list of three references by January 29, 2024, to:
Alexis Doshas, Nursery Manager
Native Plant Trust at Nasami Farm
128 North Street
Whately, MA 01373
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Native Plant Horticulture Internships, Garden in the Woods (2024 application period is closed)
Native Plant Horticulture Internship
Number Available: 2 Horticulture
Application Deadline: February 16, 2024
Duration: 6 months (26 weeks), starting in March or April
Hours and Compensation: 40 hours/week at $15.00/hour
Contact: Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture
Telephone: 508-877-7630 ext 3401
Fax: 508-877-3658
Email: ulorimer@NativePlantTrust.org
Interns assist in all aspects of botanic garden operations for Garden in the Woods, including the use of proper horticultural practices (such as planting, pruning, weed management, and irrigation), renovation and construction of new gardens, inventory and plant record keeping, and public education. They will gain hands-on experience identifying and cultivating native plants in a botanical garden setting. Interns can take advantage of classes held at the Garden and are expected to undertake an independent research project. This is an exceptional learning opportunity aimed at gaining valuable career experience caring for gardens and natural areas, planning and leading projects , and managing volunteers.
Horticulture interns working at Garden in the Woods have the option of renting a room for the duration of the internship, in a newly renovated house steps away from the Garden, for $300/month. This includes all utilities except the internet and phone.
Interns are covered by worker’s compensation and receive paid sick time per Massachusetts law. Native Plant Trust does not provide health insurance or vacation benefits to seasonal interns. Benefits include a wide range of optional education classes and field trips.
The ideal candidate should possess strong plant identification skills and a specific interest in native plants of the Northeast. Priority is given to applicants with an interest in pursuing a career in public horticulture and botanic garden management.
Native Plant Trust is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
To apply, please email or mail a resume, cover letter, and a list of three references to:
Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture Native Plant Trust
180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA 01701
Applications are due February 16, 2024.