14 members of the McCrory Gardens summer team wearing matching orange t-shirts.

Employment at McCrory Gardens

Available Positions

McCrory Gardens is accepting applications: January 21 鈥 March 31, 2025

2025 Season
Seasonal Gardener

Accepting Applications: 1-21-25 鈥 3-31-25 

Number of Positions: 10 

Season: Full Time (40hr/week) 鈥 May 12 鈥 August 22
Opportunities for part time hours during spring and fall semesters for student employees 

Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4 pm. M-F (some weekend and evening hours may be required)  

Pay: According to experience and qualifications 鈥 starting at $11.50/hr 

2025 Seasonal Gardener Description 

2025 Application

Job Description: 

The Seasonal Gardener will be an employee of McCrory Gardens and South 啵啵直播秀 State University, under the general supervision of the Crew Leader and Director of Horticulture & Grounds. The Seasonal Gardener will play an important role in maintaining McCrory Gardens and its diverse plantings during the growing season. Together with a team of gardeners, volunteers, and maintenance technicians, as well as the McCrory Gardens administration team, the Seasonal Gardener鈥檚 responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following. 

Primary Tasks:

  • Planting of 30,000+ annuals, perennials, vines, bulbs, grasses, shrubs, and trees;
  • Care for diverse plantings located throughout McCrory Gardens;
  • Hand water and monitor irrigation of plantings, especially during time of establishment and drought;
  • Perform seasonal landscape work including pruning, clean-up, bulb planting, dividing and transplanting;
  • Stage equipment, supplies, and materials for daily operations;
  • Operate a variety of hand tools, power tools and vehicles needed for daily operations;
  • Participate in trash removal procedures, as needed;
  • Maintain highest standards for cleanliness and order throughout McCrory Gardens;
  • Interact in a friendly and respectful manner with visitors and answer general questions from the public;
  • Maintain equipment and tools needed to perform daily tasks;
  • Assist with the Garden Glow set up/ take down for any early season & late season staff  

Advantages: 

Employees will be trained on: 

  • Garden maintenance strategies
  • Use of horticultural tools, equipment, and vehicles
  • Plant identification
  • Weed identification and management
  • Mulch types and application methods
  • Understanding seasonal impacts on horticulture
  • Irrigation, fertilization, and other plant care techniques
  • Factors that affect plant placement 

Requirements:

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to lift 25 lbs.
  • Willing to work in all types of weather, under strenuous conditions
  • Team player, creative and organized 鈥 Self-motivated with the ability to work alone and in groups
  • Enthusiastic, work to high standards and ability to take direction
  • Strong work ethic
  • Background check required 

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

  • Obtained or currently pursuing a degree in a related field, (Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, etc.)
  • Commercial Pesticide Applicators License (certification obtained once hired at no personal cost)
  • Knowledgeable about hand tools and small machinery a plus
  • Driver鈥檚 license preferred
  • Basic carpentry & irrigation/plumbing skills a plus
  • Scout for pests and disease and correctly manage via pesticides or cultural practices;
  • Strong gardening skills
  • Demonstrated ability of hardy plant care appropriate to the region 

Please call us at 605-688-6707 or email Chris.Schlenker@sdstate.edu or Hannah.Stolt@sdstate.edu for any questions or more information. 

 

Horticulture Intern

Accepting Applications: 1/21/25 鈥 3/31/25 

Number of Positions:

Season: Full Time (40hr/week) 鈥 May 12 鈥 August 22 
Opportunities for part time hours during spring and fall semesters for student employees 

Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. M-F (some weekend and evening hours may be required)  

Pay: According to experience and qualifications 鈥 starting at $13.00/hr 

2025 Horticulture Intern Description 

2025 Application

Job Description: 

McCrory Gardens is seeking Summer Horticulture interns. The interns join the Horticulture staff and experience the daily tasks and responsibilities of a public garden horticulturist. McCrory Gardens Horticulturists teach the interns through discussion-based learning, practical, hands-on experience, and mentorship. This internship is intended to give real world training and understanding into the upkeep and maintenance of a public garden. 

Under the direction of supervising staff members, interns experience a variety of topics including annual and perennial plant management, greenhouse operations and propagation, woody plant care, curation practices, educational programming, community outreach, and more.  

The emphasis of this internship is to allow students to explore the various facets of horticulture in a public garden setting. McCrory Gardens鈥 Horticulture Internship is pleased to offer an 鈥渋ntern-centric鈥 experience that focuses on the intern鈥檚 growth, development, and understanding of horticulture. The Horticulture Intern will be an employee of McCrory Gardens and South 啵啵直播秀 State University. The Horticulture Intern will play an important role in maintaining McCrory Gardens and its diverse plantings during the growing season. Together with a team of gardeners, volunteers, and maintenance technicians, as well as the McCrory Gardens administration team, the Seasonal Gardener鈥檚 responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following. 

Primary Tasks: 

  • Planting of 30,000+ annuals, perennials, vines, bulbs, grasses, shrubs, and trees;
  • Care for diverse plantings located throughout McCrory Gardens;
  • Hand water and monitor irrigation of plantings, especially during time of establishment and drought;
  • Perform seasonal landscape work including pruning, clean-up, bulb planting, dividing and transplanting;
  • Stage equipment, supplies, and materials for daily operations;
  • Operate a variety of hand tools, power tools and vehicles needed for daily operations;
  • Assist with curation of plant collections;
  • Assist with educational and extension related outreach;
  • Maintain highest standards for cleanliness and order throughout McCrory Gardens;
  • Interact in a friendly and respectful manner with visitors and answer general questions from the public;
  • Maintain equipment and tools needed to perform daily tasks;
  • Assist with the Garden Glow set up/take down for any early season & late season staff  

Advantages: 

  • Employees will gain experience with:
  • Landscape Installation and Maintenance
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Landscape Design
  • Propagation
  • Greenhouse and Nursery Management
  • Turf Management
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Irrigation
  • Machinery Operation
  • Database Management
  • Land Management
  • Education and Outreach 

Requirements:

  • Strong passion for working with plants
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to lift 25 lbs.
  • Willing to work in all types of weather, under strenuous conditions
  • Team player, creative and organized
  • Self-motivated with the ability to work alone and in groups
  • Enthusiastic, work to high standards and ability to take direction
  • Strong work ethic
  • Background check required 

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

  • Obtained or currently pursuing a degree in a related field, (Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, etc.)
  • Commercial Pesticide Applicators License (certification obtained once hired at no personal cost)
  • Knowledgeable about hand tools and small machinery a plus
  • Driver鈥檚 license preferred
  • Basic carpentry and irrigation/plumbing skills a plus
  • Scout for pests and disease and correctly manage via pesticides or cultural practices;
  • Strong gardening skills
  • Demonstrated ability of hardy plant care appropriate to the region 

Please call us at 605-688-6707 or email Chris.Schlenker@sdstate.edu or Hannah.Stolt@sdstate.edu for any questions or more information.

Seasonal Arborist

Accepting Applications: 1/21/25 鈥 3/31/25 

Number of Positions:

Season: Full Time (40hr/week) 鈥  April 1 鈥 November 21 
Opportunities for part time hours during spring & fall semesters for student employees 

Hours:  7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. M-F  

Pay: According to experience and qualifications 鈥 starting at $15.00/hr 

2025 Seasonal Arborist Description 

2025 Application

Job Description: 

The Seasonal Arborist will be an employee of McCrory Gardens and South 啵啵直播秀 State University, under the general supervision of the Director of Horticulture and Grounds. The Seasonal Arborist will play an important role in maintaining the 45-acre South 啵啵直播秀 State Arboretum at McCrory Gardens during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The Seasonal Arborist鈥檚 responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following. 

Primary Tasks:

  • Tree and shrub pruning, removal, planting, propagation, etc
  • Mowing, string trimming, weeding, etc.
  • Scout for pests and disease and correctly manage via pesticides or cultural practices;
  • Stage equipment, supplies, and materials for daily operations;
  • Operate a variety of hand tools, power tools and vehicles needed for daily operations;
  • Participate in trash removal procedures, as needed;
  • Maintain highest standards for cleanliness and order throughout McCrory Gardens;
  • Maintain equipment and tools needed to perform daily tasks;
  • Assist with the Garden Glow set up/take down for any early season and late season staff 

Requirements:

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to lift 25 lbs.
  • Willing to work in all types of weather, under strenuous conditions
  • Team player, creative and organized
  • Self-motivated with the ability to work both alone and in groups
  • Enthusiastic, work to high standards and ability to take direction
  • Strong work ethic
  • Background check required 

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

  • Experience using chainsaws of varying sizes safely and efficiently
  • Obtained or currently pursuing a degree in a related field, (Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, etc.)
  • Commercial Pesticide Applicators License (certification obtained once hired at no personal cost)
  • Knowledgeable about hand tools and small machinery a plus
  • Driver鈥檚 license preferred
  • Completion of HO 339 鈥 Arboriculture and Urban Forestry
  • Strong gardening skills
  • Demonstrated ability of hardy plant care appropriate to the region
  • Demonstrated ability to identify trees and shrubs appropriate to the region 

Please call us at 605-688-6707 or email Chris.Schlenker@sdstate.edu or Hannah.Stolt@sdstate.edu for any questions or more information.

Guest and Venue Services Staff

Season: Up to 30 hours per week 鈥 starting date and ending date depend on events needs and schedules

Hours: Variable 鈥 Weekend, evening, and night hours are required, some holidays may be required as well. 

Pay: According to experience and qualifications for year-round regular part-time. Paid positions are $12/hour. 

2025 Guest and Venue Services Position Description 

GVS Application

Job Description: person in this role will be an employee of McCrory Gardens and South 啵啵直播秀 State University under the general supervision of the Venue Sales and Services Coordinator and the Director of McCrory Gardens and will play an important part in assisting with scheduled events, primarily during the spring, summer, and fall seasons, with potential to extend employment possible through the holiday season. Together with a team of garden staff, volunteers, and other SDSU entities, as well as the McCrory Gardens administrative team, the Guest and Venue Services staff position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Primary Tasks:

  • Assisting with events - taking reservation request/inquiry, coordinating room layout, catering communications, greeting customer, AV equipment set up, flexibility in rearranging to customer鈥檚 needs, and take down/clean up after event.
  • Set-up and take-down of event equipment (chairs, tables, etc.) inside and outside
  • General and thorough cleaning and trash removal during and at conclusion of events, to include cleanup of the unexpected.
  • Safe and efficient operation of garden vehicles for the hauling of materials as well as the transport of guests
  • Staff the Welcome Desk as needed greeting customers, processing admission, sales and inventory in the gift shop and operating the payment systems.
  • Keeping the Education and Visitor Center and Straw Bale House clean and tidy for visitors and events. 

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

  • Strong work ethic
  • Flexible, dependable, punctual
  • Able to work nonstandard hours such as early morning or late into the night for banquets and weddings (sometimes after midnight), weekends and holidays (allowed to miss up to two wedding weekends during busy wedding season May-Dec)
  • Able to assist with event organize from start to finish
  • Excellent communication skills, appropriately knowledgeable and assertive with clients/guests/visitors
  • Team player, creative, detail oriented, and organized
  • Willing to work in all types of weather, under strenuous conditions
  • Bending and lifting up to 50 lbs., able to move and set up tables and chairs for indoor and outdoor events
  • Willing to learn to become certified and drive equipment (gators with a trailer, golf cart)
  • Self-motivated with the ability to work alone and in groups, also organizing volunteers
  • Using initiative in anticipating and knowing what needs to be done
  • Enthusiastic, work to high standards and ability to take direction
  • Professional communication and work attire is required. Proper footwear for setting up indoor and outdoor events. McCrory staff and volunteers represent McCrory Gardens and SDSU. 

Requirements:

  • Background check required 

Contact Information: Lori Puetz, McCrory Gardens Venue Sales and Services Coordinator, 631 22nd Ave, Brookings, SD 57007 605-688-6707 lori.puetz@sdstate.edu

Marketing Student Internship

Season: 15-20 hours per week 鈥 starting date and ending date based on needs and schedule of applicant. 
- Additional hours potentially available by working on the Guest and Venue Services team as well 

Hours: Variable 鈥 Some weekends and evenings may be required. 

Pay: Starting at $12/hour and available for internship credit. 

2025 Marketing Internship Position Description 

Marketing Intern Application

Job Description: Person in this role will be an employee of McCrory Gardens and South 啵啵直播秀 State University under the general supervision of the Marketing Coordinator and Director of McCrory Gardens. They will play an important role in assisting with scheduled events and marketing efforts. Help needed primarily during the spring, summer, and fall seasons, with potential to extend employment through the holiday season to assist with Garden Glow. Together, with a team of garden staff, volunteers, and other SDSU entities, as well as McCrory Gardens administrative team, the Marketing Intern staff position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Primary Tasks:

  • Assisting with events 鈥 Taking day of content for our social media and assets
  • Assisting with graphic design creations for events
  • Support plans to develop and execute marketing initiatives
  • Research on target market
  • Creating content for social media platforms to engage visitors
  • Complete projects related to branding and other marketing
  • Perform competitive market analysis to identify areas of opportunity
  • Collect performance metrics to measure marketing effort progress
  • Editing and organization of website
  • Assisting with the start-up of a Social Media Ambassador Program
  • Creating connections with other Brookings Area Attractions and businesses 

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

  • Strong work ethic and willing to learn new things
  • Flexible, dependable, punctual
  • Prior knowledge of Canva, Meta Business Suite, and other graphic design/social media platforms
  • Able to work nonstandard hours such as early morning or late into the night for banquets and weddings (sometimes after midnight), weekends and holidays
  • Innovative and creative ideas to improve McCrory Garden鈥檚 yearly marketing efforts
  • Excellent communication skills and appropriately knowledgeable
  • Team player, creative, detail oriented, and organized
  • Self-motivated with the ability to work alone and in groups
  • Enthusiastic, work to high standards and ability to take direction 

Requirements: 

  • Background check required 

Contact Information: 

Alyson Swanson, McCrory Gardens Marketing Coordinator 631 22nd Ave, Brookings, SD 57007 605-688-6707 alyson.swanson@sdstate.edu 

2025 Marketing Internship Position Description Marketing Intern Application

Contact us
McCrory Gardens
Physical Address
631 22nd Ave
Brookings, SD 57006
Mailing Address
Box 2140A
Brookings, SD 57006
Hours
Mon - Fri: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Nov.-April
* Fall/Winter Hours run from Nov. to April.
* Last admission at 4:30 p.m.
* Extended hours for special events and holiday shopping.
Follow Us