Corporate Landscape & Grounds Management Intern

Summary

CHS has an exciting opportunity within the Building & Office Services department for a summer Corporate Landscape & Grounds Management Intern. The Corporate Campus Landscape & Grounds Management Internship is part of the CHS Summer Internship Program and provides exposure to corporate facilities management, landscape architecture, arboriculture, horticulture, sustainability, campus planning, and grounds operations. Interns will gain hands-on experience while contributing to projects that enhance the employee experience and environmental stewardship of the CHS Corporate Campus.

This intern will serve as a valued member of the Building & Office Services team, contributing to and/or leading a variety of projects supported across the team, such as landscape design, project management, invasive species mitigation, tree care, vendor management, and more. You must be detail-oriented, independent, and eager to learn with excellent communications skills and the ability to handle multiple projects concurrently. To maximize the internship experience, this position will follow an on-site structure, spending 5 days each week on campus based at CHS in Inver Grove Heights, MN.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the maintenance and enhancement of the 30-acre CHS Corporate Campus landscape, including turfgrass, trees, planting beds, native landscapes, and outdoor gathering spaces.
• Support landscape architecture and grounds improvement projects from planning through implementation. Participate in campus beautification initiatives, seasonal color displays, and landscape renovation projects. Conduct tree inventories, assessments, and support arboriculture programs focused on tree health, preservation, and replacement planning.
• Assist with invasive species identification, monitoring, mitigation, and ecological restoration efforts.
• Support turfgrass management activities including mowing evaluations, fertilization planning, irrigation monitoring, and integrated pest management practices.
• Collaborate with vendors and contractors to monitor project progress, quality standards, and safety requirements. Assist with development and maintenance of campus landscape maps, asset inventories, and project documentation.
• Participate in sustainability initiatives related to pollinator habitats, native plantings, water conservation, and environmental stewardship.
• Conduct site inspections and provide recommendations for improving campus appearance, functionality, and user experience.
• Support project budgeting, bid review processes, vendor coordination, and project management activities.
• Assist with campus event preparations, including outdoor venue setup and coordination.
• Utilize technology and software tools to track projects, document findings, and communicate recommendations.
• Partner with Building & Office Services team members on facilities, safety, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Present project updates, findings, and recommendations to department leadership upon completion of assigned projects.

Minimum Qualifications (required)

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's or associate degree in Landscape Architecture, Arboriculture, Horticulture, Turfgrass Management, Grounds Management, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Facilities Management, or a related field.
• Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record; ability to operate company vehicles and on-site utility/ATV equipment for occasional groundskeeping and facility-support tasks.

Additional Qualifications

• Rising sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student with anticipated enrollment following the internship.

• Strong interest in landscape management, grounds operations, environmental stewardship, or corporate campus planning, with a passion for creating and maintaining attractive, safe, functional, and sustainable outdoor environments.

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and perform site inspections across a large campus environment.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously; effective verbal and written communication skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

• Experience with landscape design software (e.g., AutoCAD, GIS, SketchUp, Land F/X); knowledge of plant identification, tree care, turfgrass management, integrated pest management, irrigation systems, drainage principles, or landscape construction practices.

• Previous internship, work, or volunteer experience related to landscaping, grounds maintenance, parks, golf courses, athletic fields, arboriculture, nurseries, or horticulture.