The AOC has unique and exciting opportunities to serve as a Horticulture Plant Health Care Aide during the Summer Internship Program, which offers hands on professional experience, networking, training and most of all exposure to careers in public service, on Capitol Hill.
All students must be U.S. Citizens or person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B). Applications will be accepted from students who are at least sixteen (16) years of age by June 30, 2025 AND currently attending a college or university. College students must have a major in Plant Pathology, Landscape Architecture, Arboricultural, Horticulture, Natural Resource Management and/or Biological Sciences, or other field related to the position being filled. Note: Participation in the Summer Intern Employment Program is limited to a total of three years. Candidates are eligible to participate no more than three years, collectively or consecutively, in the Summer Intern Employment Program. Candidates who have reached the three years in the program will be deemed ineligible to participate this calendar year.
Horticulture Plant Health Care Aide Students in the role have an opportunity to perform a variety of horticultural projects for the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum (CGA), or the U.S. Botanic Garden, related to plant health care and Integrated Pest Management. Students will learn about landscape plant health and relationships with environmental factors. This role will assist gardeners and the Plant Health Care Specialists with daily field scouting, monitoring, data recording, and implementing control tactics of major plant pests and disease on the campus grounds. Additionally, students will assist with setting up, implementing, and recording the efficacy of control tactics in reducing spider mite populations of highly infested ornamental plantings.