Conservation Program Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Job Posting Title:
Plant Conservation and Data Intern
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Hiring Department:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
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Position Open To:
All Applicants
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Weekly Scheduled Hours:
19
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FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt from FLSA
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Earliest Start Date:
Immediately
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Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Dec 09, 2026
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Location:
JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
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Job Details:
General Notes
This internship offers a unique opportunity to work with two teams at the Wildflower Center: Learning & Engagement and Science & Conservation. The intern will gain hands-on experience in both plant data management and conservation practices.
With the Learning & Engagement team, you will develop skills in botanical research, taxonomy, data entry, and metadata management. With the Science & Conservation team, you will develop skills in plant identification, field work, and seed banking.
The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation and cultivation of native plants through its gardens and programs. The Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden of Texas, a treasured Austin gem, and a national leader in the field of native plant education, gardening, sustainable landscapes, land restoration, plant conservation and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants, welcomes 300,000 visitors annually, has over 18,000 member households and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its popular native plant database. The Center envisions thriving, native plant landscapes everywhere that nurture wildlife, uplift communities, and ensure ecological resilience for generations.
Wildflower Center staff are University of Texas at Austin employees receiving all associated benefits as well as an annual membership to the Center, discounts on Center classes, access to Wildflower Center events, and discounts at the Shop and Gallery. An inspiring, collaborative and beautiful work environment with outstanding coworkers awaits you.
Purpose
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is seeking one intern to work with both the Learning & Engagement and Science & Conservation teams to help with researching for and editing the Native Plants of North America database and supporting seed banking and conservation horticulture activities.
Responsibilities

• Research and compile data on plants native to North America using online and library resources for the Native Plants of North America database.
• Support the transition to and development of a new database interface by retagging images and identifying errors in data.
• Improve species profiles by uploading and organizing plant images.
• Assist with germination trials, seed cleaning and storage, and conservation horticulture.
• Organize and enter seed bank records.
• Support Science & Conservation staff and interns with vegetation surveys in October.
• Participate in fieldwork and trips as opportunities arise.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Intern will prepare a short presentation about their experience to Center staff.

Availability
Must be able to commit to at least two days per week (1 day with Learning & Engagement team and 1 day with Science & Conservation team), 12-19 hour per week. Schedules can be flexible depending on intern's availability. Field work tends to occur Tuesday-Thursday. The Intern and Supervisor will work together to set the work schedule. Discussion of work schedule options will occur during the interview process. Internship will start on August 24, 2026, or after, and will end on December 9, 2026, before finals begin.
Qualifications

• The intern will be required to fulfill a 120-160 hour commitment during the times allotted for the individual program to which accepted.
• Candidate must be enrolled in a college program in the areas of natural resources, environmental science, conservation, botany, biology or related field.
• Proficiency in MS Excel.
• Knowledge of botanical nomenclature is helpful but not required.

Requirements

• Intern will be required to perform moderate physical activity such as bending, lifting and pushing while working in an outdoor environment in hot and cold temperatures.
• Intern must have reliable transportation to and from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, Texas, 78739). There is no bus service to the Wildflower Center. The closest bus stop is at Slaughter Ln and Westgate Blvd.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Salary Range
$18.00 per hour
Application Schedule and Job Date Information

• Applications for the Fall 2026 Semester should be submitted by July 26, 2026. Interviews will be held August 3-12, 2026.
• Start date of the position will be the first day of class, August 24, 2026, or later.
• End date will be on December 9, 2026, prior to the start of finals.

This intern position is for Fall 2026 semester. There is a possibility of continuation into the Spring 2027 semester based on funding, business need, and work performance.
Required Materials

• Resume or CV, with relevant coursework and work history
• College transcript, unofficial transcripts are acceptable
• Letter of Interest (Cover Letter) stating your interest in native plant conservation, what you would like to gain through this internship, and why you would like to intern at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Please also include your availability in your cover letter.
• List of three references with their contact information

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
Students in this position may choose to enroll in the UTSaver voluntary retirement programs.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
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E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.