Volunteer Team Intern

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society seeks a Volunteer Intern who will gain hands-on professional development and valuable experience in event planning for a thriving nonprofit organization. Interns will be challenged with a fast-paced, quick turnaround experience on a hard-working team. They will assist with planning and coordination of the 2027 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show and other volunteer opportunities as they arise. The successful candidates should have the ability to manage administrative and logistical support of the PHS staff in a busy special events environment and must be able to anticipate project needs, discern work priorities, and meet deadlines with little supervision. They should be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends, have a love for special event management, provide outstanding customer service, be an enthusiastic professional, and be able to build relationships with internal and external constituents.

This is a great opportunity for someone with a strong interest in event logistics and planning who wants to get a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes at events. Interns will have the benefit of learning critical event organizing and planning skills from experienced staff. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Reporting to the Associate Director of Volunteers and working closely with the Volunteer Specialist, the Volunteers intern will assist with activities involving the general management of thousands (3,000+) of volunteers for the Flower Show. This intern will be helping to manage the Volunteer Lounge at the Flower Show, which is the area that all volunteers report to first for their shifts. This role will also work closely with the Infonet Committee members, which is the Committee responsible for many of the customer service volunteers at the Show. This role will assist with volunteer management before the Flower Show by helping with communications, recruitment, volunteer training, and record keeping. After the Show, the Volunteers Intern will also work closely with the Volunteer Specialist managing the volunteer data for the Fall Tree Plantings and Tree Week. 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Ability to manage multiple projects and work assignments from a variety of staff and volunteers. 
• Passion for special event management and planning.
• Fantastic customer service ethic and high expectations for quality. 
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both in person and by phone, with high professionalism. 
• Excellent communication skills, including writing, proofreading skills, and speaking. 
• Possess strong organizational/multi-tasking skills and attention to detail.
• Be a self-starter, able to take initiative on individual projects; ability to accomplish projects with little supervision.
• Proficient learning new platforms and using the latest versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. As well as email and web searches. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS/STIPEND

• January 11, 2027 – April 30, 2027. Full time at 40 hours/week preferred. Increased hours during the build of the Flower Show as well as during actual show days of the Flower Show.
• Occasional workdays with long hours
• Occasional evenings and weekends
• Occasional on-site local volunteer workdays outside of Flower Show may be required. 
• Must be able to endure extended periods of walking and/or standing.
• Must be able to lift 20lbs
• Interns are given a stipend of $5,000 for the duration of their internship.

To learn more about us, visit www.phsonline.org or https://phsonline.org/the-flower-show

Please no telephone or walk-in inquires. EOE. Only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

EEO NOTICE: 

At PHS, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.