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
We are the nation’s first plant conservation organization and the only one solely focused on New England’s native plants. We save native plants in the wild, grow them for gardens and restorations, and educate others on their value and use. We are based at Garden in the Woods, a renowned native plant botanic garden that attracts visitors from all over the world. From this flagship property in Framingham, Massachusetts, 25 staff and many of our 1,500 trained volunteers work throughout New England each year 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. Native Plant Trust also operates a nursery at Nasami Farm in western Massachusetts and manages six sanctuaries in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont that are open to the public. Native Plant Trust is among the first organizations worldwide to receive Advanced Conservation Practitioner accreditation by London-based Botanic Gardens Conservation International, which included an endorsement by an International Advisory Council representing six continents.
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.
All employees of Native Plant Trust must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, including latest available boosters.
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Job Opening: Executive Director, Native Plant Trust
Native Plant Trust, a regional organization with a stellar national reputation in plant conservation, ecological horticulture, and adult education, seeks a dynamic leader and accomplished fundraiser as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). As the organization approaches its 125th anniversary, the talented staff and energized board are eager to realize an ambitious vision focused on the twin environmental crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. This offers the new CEO an exciting opportunity to lead a successful, well run organization into a period of significant growth and impact.
The search is being led by Koya Partners. For a full description and to apply, go to
https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/19880-native-plant-trust-chief-executive-officer/For more information, contact nativeplanttrust@koyapartners.com
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Job Opening: Northeast Seed Network Seed Collection Coordinator, Nasami Farm Nursery Whately, MA
Position Summary
The Northeast Seed Network is a new initiative by Native Plant Trust and partners to increase the availability of locally adapted seed from sustainably managed sources. The goal is to develop a network of growers interested in producing seed for use in restoration projects and by nurseries to grow plants for sale. The Northeast Seed Network aims to establish regional standards and protocols along with best practices for seed increase, collection, and storage. Native Plant Trust will manage the network and serve as the regional seed bank.
The seed collection coordinator will manage wild seed collections for habitat restoration projects in collaboration with partners such as US Fish & Wildlife Service. The seed collection coordinator will be responsible for planning and implementing visits to scout for and collect seed and for adherence to protocols for sustainability in collecting. The coordinator will supervise a team of four seasonal (6-month) positions.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and oversee the wild seed collection of plant species native to the region
- Ensure consistent standards and protocols for seed collection, handling, and distribution
- Manage four seasonal staff, including weekly planning meetings, training and implementation in seed collection protocols, and plant identification in the field
- Apply for and document permission for all wild seed collections
- Ensure adherence to safety protocols by field staff when conducting seed collections
- Maintain detailed documentation and data tracking of seed collections
- Communicate with Conservation and Horticulture departments on status and planning around seed collections
Desired Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate will possess a working knowledge of the flora of New England and experience facilitating meetings at field sites with partners and landowners. The candidate will be versed in ecological field work and will follow protocols for seed collection. Well-developed communication skills are essential. In addition, the position requires:
- Understanding of field safety and protocols for wild seed collection (training available)
- Strong organizational and leadership skills
- Ability to communicate clearly in writing and orally, and being comfortable conducting outreach for permits and permissions for conducting field collections
- Ability to work in various and sometimes difficult conditions in all types of weather
- Ability to be flexible in terms of daily tasks
- Positive outlook and willingness to learn and grow
Hours and Compensation: This is a full-time (40 hours/week), six-month, seasonal position with a salary of $22,500.00 Seasonal employees receive sick days and are covered by Workers’ Compensation, but are not eligible for health insurance or retirement benefits.
To Apply
Please submit a letter of interest and resume (MS Word or PDF format, with your last name as part of the file name), along with references to mpiantedosi@NativePlantTrust.org, using the subject line “Seed Collection Coordinator Application.”
Application deadline: August 21, 2023
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
Our internships for the 2023 field season have been filled. Please check back in January 2024 for information about the 2024 internships.
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Marylee Everett Internship
Our internship for the 2023 field season has been filled. Please check back in January 2024 for information about the 2024 internship.
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Chester B. Allen, Jr., Propagation and Horticulture Internship, Nasami Farm
Our internship for the 2023 season has been filled. Please check back in January 2024 for information about the 2024 internship.
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Native Plant Horticulture Internships, Garden in the Woods
Native Plant Horticulture Internship
Number Available: 2 Horticulture
Application Deadline: February 1, 2023
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.
Interns must provide proof of Covid vaccination and booster shot if eligible to be considered for the position.
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 1, 2023.