Herbarium Intern - Temporary

The Herbarium at The Morton Arboretum is recruiting an herbarium intern to begin in May. The intern will assist with tasks related to herbarium specimen processing. Primary activities may include collecting plants in the Living Collections of The Morton Arboretum or off-site, mounting, accessioning, databasing, imaging, and filing. Additional activities may consist of assisting with curating research specimens, making folders, adding annotations to specimens, proofreading data entry, streamlining protocols, assisting with preparing loans, or other activities. A good candidate will enjoy a mix of working outdoors and in the herbarium, handling and working with specimens, and have an interest in collections work. At times, within the Herbarium/Plant Systematics Lab, staff and interns assist with other projects, such as the Bur Oak Common Garden project if maintenance, weeding, or any other group lab activity is needed. As time allows, the internship is expected to include imaging and analyzing leaf shape data, providing the intern with broader coding and research experience. The position may extend into early October, depending on intern availability. 

Position Summary: Assist in herbarium operations in The Morton Arboretum’s Herbarium, a regionally and internationally visible archive of biodiversity, a hub for research, and a community resource for researchers, botanists, and the public. Support the operations in the Herbarium through activities that may include collecting, mounting, accessioning, databasing, imaging, and filing specimens, among other tasks.

Essential Functions: 

• Assist with herbarium specimen collecting, mounting, accessioning, databasing, and imaging.

• Process specimens through dryer and freezer cycles. 

• Clean and maintain herbarium equipment and space as used, 

• May assist with field/garden workdays for the lab as needed. 

• May assist with the curation of herbarium specimens. 

• Participate in weekly lab meetings with the Systematics Research Program as schedule allows.

• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Current enrollment in Associate or Bachelor’s degree program, with an interest in studying biology, environmental sciences, or a related field, or have obtained an Associate's or Bachelor's degree. Organization and independent working skills preferred. Willingness and eagerness to learn necessary field, herbarium, and library research skills required. Experience with database, spreadsheets, and Google applications beneficial. 

Success Factors: Ability and willingness to work in laboratory and field environments. Good written and oral communication skills. Clear thought, visual acuity, and manual dexterity needed. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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 these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: walking over varied terrain, bending, limited lifting and carrying (up to 50 lbs. assisted). Use of chemicals may be necessary. 

• Work Environment: Office environment and Arboretum grounds. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, in a variety of weather conditions. Some local or national travel may be required.

• Equipment: General office equipment, field and herbarium equipment, hand tools.

• Schedule: 15-20 hours/week

The hiring rate for this position is $20.00/hour. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package. 

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. 

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.