Toni M. and Donald S. Scherzer Endowment Internship in Groundskeeping

Toni M. and Donald S. Scherzer Endowment Internship in Groundskeeping

The Grounds Department at the Cleveland Museum of Art is seeking a motivated high school student for a short-term summer internship. Under the supervision of the Grounds Supervisor, the candidate will spend their time shadowing Grounds personnel, learning skills and participating in the daily duties of our Grounds Department. The candidate will also meet and interact with industry professionals that regularly perform work on site.

During the internship, the candidate will be assigned specific landscape beds where, with the assistance of the Grounds Supervisor, will identify plantings, examine fertility issues, identify and weed invasive species, as well as practice disease and pest identification. They will also be involved in turf and tree health management and be tasked with aiding in researching more organic and/or pesticide-free fertilization and pest management methods. As safety and wayfinding of museum visitors is a top priority, the candidate will review what areas are checked daily to identify safety issues and understand how we welcome and interact with patrons.

Beyond the training provided by the Grounds team, the candidate will also have the opportunity to explore topics and skills related to the project that they have an interest in learning, specifically what interests them most when it comes to a career in this field.

Eligibility Requirements:

To apply, applicant must:

• Be a high school junior or senior
• Candidates from underserved populations, which may include Latinx, BIPOC, and students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
• Note: candidates under the age of 18 must possess a work permit

Additional Requirements and Application Materials

• A letter of intent describing your interest in Horticulture as well as a list of topics/skills you would like to explore during the internship
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions and is regularly exposed to cold, wet and / or hot, humid conditions. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Language Skills: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to read and comprehend directions on cleaning products. Ability to read and comprehend OSHA reports. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions and requests from supervisors and museum staff.
• Mathematical Skills: Basic mathematical skills needed to safely and economically measure and mix cleaning solvents.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Physical Demands: 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 the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk; use hands to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or bend; and talk or hear.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Application Deadline: May 3rd, 2024

This internship is funded by the Toni M. and Donald S. Scherzer Endowment which provides a $1,500 stipend.

The internship is part-time, 8:00am-4:00pm, for three weeks. Weeks are scheduled consecutively but can be non-consecutive depending on the candidate’s schedule.

Anticipated start date: June 3rd, 2024