Join – Volunteer – Give
Santa Fe Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer committed to the community and is committed to serve as an educational resource that connects people with nature and fosters respect and enjoyment of plants and conservation. We actively seek to recruit, hire, promote, and retain a diverse workforce that welcomes and engages people from varied backgrounds.
Through exploration of our public garden, fun and innovative programs, volunteerism, and education, we provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to be inspired by and learn from nature.
Employment Opportunities
To apply for the current open positions:
Please send your resume and cover letter as attachments via email to [email protected] and include the job title in the email subject line. Applications will be reviewed immediately until the positions are filled.
Visitor Center Cashier
The Visitor Center Cashier welcomes visitors, processes admissions and memberships, and makes sales of Gift Shop merchandise. The VC Cashier may be the first and or the last face a Garden visitor sees, so a friendly, welcoming demeanor is absolutely required. The position also requires the ability to correctly and reliably handle cash, including making change, and make efficient credit card transactions, provide visitors with accurate Garden and Museum Hill information, and give concierge-level treatment to all visitors. The VC Cashier position demands professionalism and excellence in customer service.
Events Administrator
The Events Administrator provides seasonal administrative and operational support to the Events Manager in the coordination and execution of private facility rentals at SFBG. This role is dedicated exclusively to private events, including weddings, receptions, corporate retreats, memorials, and similar functions. The Events Administrator helps ensure that all rentals are administered professionally, aligned with organizational policies, and executed to a high standard of client satisfaction.
This position is a seasonal administrative support; billed 160 hours at approximately 7 (7.25) hours/week for 22 weeks (May 2 – July 4; August 1 – October 31). Working hours will primarily be during the week, but may require occasional weekend work for tours and event assistance. Computer work may be completed remotely, at the discretion of the Events Manager.
Event Operations Support
The Santa Fe Botanical Garden seeks an Event Operations Support contractor to provide operational assistance for private facility rentals and special events hosted on Garden grounds. The contractor will support event setup, on-site logistics, and post-event breakdown for a range of private gatherings such as weddings, receptions, corporate retreats, memorial services, and other events. Responsibilities center on preparing event spaces according to approved layouts, coordinating with vendors, assisting with audiovisual equipment when needed, supporting event timelines during programs, and restoring facilities to standard operating condition following each event. The role is event-based, with work scheduled according to Garden rental bookings, and requires reliable coordination, professional communication, and the ability to work effectively in an outdoor venue environment.
This is an independent contractor role compensated at $35 per hour and is not a staff or employee position.
The Garden is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. It is our policy to encourage and support equal employment opportunity for all associates and applicants without regard to gender, age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual preference or orientation, gender identity, spousal affiliation, marital status, military/veteran status, handicap or disability or membership in any other protected group.
Internship Opportunities
Linda Milbourn College Internship Program
Internship Summary
Linda Milbourn was the executive director of the Santa Fe Botanical Garden from 2003 to 2014. She passed away in 2019 after a fierce battle with pancreatic cancer. The dream of our botanical garden was realized not only because of Linda’s determination, but also her admirable collaborative spirit, integrity, kindness, and humor. The Linda Milbourn College Internship honors her love of gardens and lifelong learning through on-site education of a future generation of environmental leaders. The internship was made possible by an anonymous donor in the hope that it will attract additional funding for many years to come. This eight-week hands-on experience will occur in and around the Santa Fe Botanical Garden (SFBG), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with facilities located at 715 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM 87505.
Applicant Eligibility
The Linda Milbourn College Internship is open both locally, regionally and nationally to students presently or recently enrolled in an accredited college, university, or technical school. Applicants interested in horticulture, garden design and management, environmental studies, science education, or community outreach will be preferred. Spanish language proficiency is also desirable.
Admission Requirements
Applicants will be considered for the internship based on the following:
- A one-page resume listing their grade point average, relevant academic activities, and recent employment.
- A one-page essay highlighting their specific interest in the internship, their idea for a special project during the experience, and how this opportunity will serve their career aspirations.
- A written reference from two of the applicant’s professors, supervisors, and/or employers.
Length of Internship
Eight (8) weeks, beginning in June 2026.
Internship Activities and Mentorship
Internship responsibilities are intentionally broad and experiential, providing exposure to multiple aspects of Garden operations while allowing space for individual interests and learning goals. Working alongside staff mentors, interns will typically engage in the following activities:
- Public Education & Interpretation
Assist with hands-on education programs, guided tours, community days, and informal visitor engagement, including staffing education carts and supporting interpretive activities for families and school groups. - Site Renovation & Garden Projects
Support ongoing site improvements and seasonal garden projects, which may include planting, maintenance, habitat enhancement, and assisting with small-scale renovation efforts that improve visitor access and learning spaces. - Interpretive Signage & Visitor Experience
Help research, design, install, and evaluate temporary interpretive signage that communicates ecological, horticultural, and cultural stories throughout the Garden. - Special Project Development
Research, develop, and implement a focused special project aligned with the intern’s academic interests and Garden priorities. Projects may support education, interpretation, horticulture, or community outreach and will be completed with guidance from staff supervisors.
Throughout the internship, students receive mentorship from staff across departments, gaining insight into nonprofit operations, collaborative project planning, and public-facing work in a botanical garden environment.
Internship Stipend and Program Benefits
The intern will earn $5,000 for eight (8) weeks of employment (paid per bi-monthly by direct deposit). Additionally, work-related travel expenses (e.g., trips to other botanical gardens or environmental education sites) will be covered. The intern must have their own vehicle with proof of insurance, a driver’s license, as well as housing.
Requirements for Completion of Internship
The intern must complete at least 320 hours of work, with guidance and support from staff supervisors. Their work must incorporate researching, developing, and implementing a special project covering a topic of interest (mutually agreed upon). A written report and oral presentation of the work completed during the internship are required.
To Apply
Applicants should submit the documents described in the section “Admission Requirements” to [email protected] no later than May 15, 2026. Online and/or in-person interviews will be conducted in April-May, with an anticipated start date of June 1 or June 16. Questions about the internship can be sent to [email protected].
Thank you for your interest!
The Jill and Stanley Jankowski Science and Conservation Internship
Internship summary
Since its inception in 1987, SFBG’s board, staff, and volunteers have focused on conserving and protecting biodiversity. The Garden demonstrates a commitment to educate on climate change, water conservation, importance of native plants and protection of their pollinators, conservation of biodiversity, and community science. This internship provides a unique opportunity to learn about the biodiversity of New Mexico from a variety of experiences including field-based data collection and monitoring, seed collection and storage practices, public engagement and outreach, and collections care and management of the newly established SFBG herbarium. The internship will include projects with the Rare and Endangered Plant Program within the New Mexico Forestry Division, providing hands-on experience in conservation efforts. Interns will collaborate on projects related to research, management, and protection of rare and endangered plant species. SFBG’s work aims to significantly support and enhance the region’s botanical research and conservation efforts.
Full description here.
Applicant Eligibility
Open to currently enrolled students (undergraduate or graduate) in an accredited college, university, or technical school who have completed 60 semester hours of course work with a 3.0 GPA in the major. Intended for students majoring in an appropriate field related to the mission of the SFBG, such as: biology, botany/plant science, zoology/animal science, ecology (including restoration ecology), horticulture/landscape architecture, environmental science, natural resource management, wildlife-conservation biology, environmental education, sustainability, and business (marketing, communications, non-profit management, tourism).
The internship requires the ability to work outdoors and hike on uneven terrain. Strong attention to detail is essential, along with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Admission Requirements
Applicants will be considered for the internship based on the following:
- A one-page resume (or transcript) listing their grade point average, relevant academic activities, and recent employment.
- An essay highlighting their specific interest in the internship and how this opportunity will serve their career aspirations.
- A project proposal to be completed during the internship (guidelines provided here).
- A letter of support from a faculty member familiar with the student.
Length of Internship
40 hours a week for 8 weeks between the months of June through August (flexible starting date).
Intern Activities and Supervision
The intern will assist the Director of Science and Conservation with the summer field season, conservation horticulture in the living collection, the horticulture and botanical library, and the herbarium. Work will include botanical field trips throughout natural areas of New Mexico to monitor and document native plants, and managing data and collections on-site at the Garden. Work may also include ecological restoration projects on-site at the Garden and seed collection.
Internship Stipend and Program Benefits
The intern will receive $5,000 for eight (8) weeks of work. The intern must have their own vehicle with proof of insurance and a driver’s license.
Interns are expected to be based in the Santa Fe area and may apply for a housing stipend of up to $5,000. Please indicate in your application that you will apply for the housing stipend.
Requirements for Completion of Internship
The intern must complete at least 320 hours of work, with guidance and support from the Director of Science and Conservation. A written report and oral presentation of the work completed during the internship are required.
Applications are open and being accepted for 2026. Please apply by Feb. 1, 2026.
Questions about the internship can be sent to [email protected].
Thank you for your interest!
Other Resources
American Public Gardens Association
Available positions at gardens all over North America are posted and updated. Begin your search.
APGA’s Career Development Center is the most comprehensive resource of its kind for the public horticulture industry—providing position openings in botanic gardens, arboreta, zoos, horticultural societies, and even museums, along with a number of other career-oriented resources for experienced and new public horticulture professionals, as well as those just beginning to explore the industry.
American Horticultural Society Internships
AHS offers a variety of internships throughout the year at River Farm in Alexandria, VA.
Communication/Editorial internships with the American Horticultural Society are open to any college-level student of journalism, English, horticulture or related fields, and to adults with relevant experience who are making a career change or seeking additional training.
Horticultural internships with the American Horticultural Society are open to anyone interested in a career in horticulture, with preference given to those pursuing a degree or who have completed a degree in horticulture, or a related field. Member Programs internships with the American Horticultural Society are open to individuals interested in nonprofit and program management.
The Garden Club of America Scholarships
The Garden Club of America offers a wide range of excellent scholarships and fellowships. Check their website at www.gcamerica.org for a complete updated list, detailed information, applications, and deadlines.
Areas of study include:
- Landscape Architecture
- Horticulture
- Medicinal Botany
- Ecological Restoration
- Coastal Wetlands
- Garden History and Design
- Tropical Botany
- Endangered Bird Habitat
- Field Botany
- Urban Forestry
- Desert Studies
- Environmental Science
- National Parks
