Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

Located in the “garden capital of the United States,” the Scott Arboretum & Gardens of Swarthmore College has been called “the most beautiful campus in America.” The Scott Arboretum & Gardens is the 400-plus acre campus of Swarthmore College, an excellent liberal arts college, located 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia.

Established in 1929, the Arboretum has been accredited as a level III arboretum by ArbNet. Volunteers play a key role in activities and assist the full-time staff of about 20 in maintaining the gardens and collections with over 4,000 taxa of woody ornamental and a variety of special gardens. For more information, visit scottarboretum.org.

The opportunity:

The Summer Education Internship offers a unique view into public horticulture education. This role allows for opportunities to learn about and experience programming for adults, youth, and families as well as communication, interpretation, and membership. Main responsibilities include assisting with the Chester Children’s Chorus Arboretum summer class, supporting educational programming including tours, trips, workshops and conferences, and developing interpretive materials. The intern will also participate in field excursions to visit area gardens throughout the summer.

The Scott Arboretum Summer Education Internship offers a unique view into public horticulture education. This role offers opportunities to learn about and experience programming for adults, youth, and families, as well as communications, interpretation, and membership. Main responsibilities include assisting with the Chester Children’s Chorus Arboretum Summer class, supporting educational programming including tours, trips, workshops, conferences, and developing interpretive materials. The intern will also participate in field excursions to visit area gardens throughout the summer. The internship is a minimum of 10 to maximum of 28 weeks; typically starting in March to May and ending August to October. Work hours are 8:30 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm, with occasional evening and weekend hours depending on events.

Essential Responsibilities

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

• Support educational programming for adult and youth audiences, including excursions, workshops, tours, and field trips.
• Assist with set up, take down, and activities during special events, such as the Rose Celebration and the Woody Plant Conference.
• Support program leader(s) during the Chester Children’s Chorus Arboretum Summer class.
• Assist with the development and updating of interpretive materials such as brochures.
• Participates in summer intern field trips.
• Writes Plant the week articles for the Scott Arboretum & Garden's blog, Garden Seeds.
• Develop and lead a video segment of Gardener's Almanac for Scott Arboretum & Garden's YouTube channel.

INTERPREATATION:

• Maintains educational brochures distribution.
• Updates educational collateral for various audiences.

HORTICULTURAL TASKS:

• Maintains plantings for summer programs.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide support other staff members and as called upon which may include:
  • Publicity and promotion assistance
  • Registration and records assistance
  • General support of Arboretum office function
  • Membership initiatives
  • Fundraising initiatives

Who you are:

• Builds successful working relationships with coworkers and supervisors. Projects a positive image of the Scott Arboretum & Gardens and of Swarthmore College. Communicates readily and works effectively as a member of a team.
• Works successfully with coworkers, interns, students, and Arboretum volunteers in order to efficiently and effectively accomplish the workload of the department.
• Adapts to new work situations, people, ideas, procedures, and organizational structures, in order to be successful in a constantly changing work environment.
• Exhibits maturity, reliability, composure, and stability under pressure in order to handle on-the-job stresses and challenges.
• Understands and abides by a high standard of professional ethics in order to ensure the integrity of the organization.
• Works successfully with a diverse department and upholds the College’s commitment to equal opportunity.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Interested in a career in environmental education.
• Be able to obtain PA Youth Clearances by the start date.
• Must have the physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds for event setups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in education and/or events.
• Experience working with children.

Physical Demands

• Utilize technology such as computers, printers, cameras.
• Set-up for events including tables, chairs, refreshments, and supplies.
• Conduct walking tours.
• Lift 50 pounds for event set-up.
• Speak on the telephone.

Working Conditions

• Work outside in extreme hot or cold conditions.
• Work evenings and weekends as programming requires; with advance notice.
• Work in a stationary position or extended periods at a desk with a computer.
• Travel locally.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter, by January 30, 2026. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).

The pay for this position is $20.00 per hour, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting.

Act 153 Clearance Required by Position 

This position may regularly interact with minors. Under Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law, (23 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§6301, et seq.) employees who have direct contact with minors are required to obtain the following background clearances prior to the start of employment:

• Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) through the Pennsylvania State Police
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (PACA) through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
• FBI Criminal History Background Check (FBI Fingerprint).

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.