Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Landscape Internships (2 positions available)

Fallingwater (Mill Run, PA)

Fallingwater, the architectural masterwork designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, seeks applications for two (2) Interns for the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation 2026 summer landscape internship opportunity.  

Job Description

The landscape internship will consist of outdoor work for the Fallingwater grounds and the completion of a project that combines design work and hands-on work. The interns will work independently and alongside the Fallingwater Horticulturist to complete their projects and implement improvements to the landscape. 

Job Duties

Duties and responsibilities will include weeding, planting, monitoring and removal of invasive plant species, and pruning. The interns will work under the direct supervision of the Horticulturist and the Senior Director of Operations and Sustainability. Interns will additionally be advised by an outside landscape architecture professional. Several educational field trips are part of the internship. The intern will increase their skills and knowledge in plant identification, plant care, and design of the landscape.  

Physical Requirements

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Ability to perform strenuous, hands-on outdoor landscaping and gardening tasks in a variety of weather conditions.  

• Requires stooping, kneeling, crawling, bending, turning, and reaching. (Full range of body motion for extended periods of time. 

Qualifications

Enrollment in a master’s program or undergraduate program in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Plant Science, or related fields of study is required. Experience with Adobe Photoshop and CAD or other drafting software or hand drafting experience is preferred but not required. Applicants must have the ability to perform hands-on outdoor landscaping and gardening tasks in a variety of weather conditions. Some experience working outdoors or plant care experience is a plus.

Location

This position's primary location(s): Fallingwater (Mill Run, PA)

Fallingwater is located in rural Mill Run, Pennsylvania, 15464, and is approximately 90 miles southeast from the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Having a motor vehicle is strongly recommended as there are no stores or amenities within walking distance of onsite housing.

Position Duration

Ten weeks, beginning June 1, 2026 to August 7, 2026. The Interns will be expected to work during normal business hours (typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), forty hours per week. June 19 and July 4 are unpaid holidays.

Pay

This internship pays an hourly wage of $17.00 and includes free, on-site, co-ed, shared housing on the Fallingwater campus. Interns are responsible for providing their own food, linens, laundry supplies, toiletries, and incidentals.

Application Process

To apply, email the following items as PDF files to wpcjobs@paconserve.org and list Landscape Intern in the subject line. 

• Cover letter 
• Resume  
• Two letters of recommendation (employer or professor) 

Application Deadline

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Watershed Conservation Internship (Indiana)

Watershed Conservation Office (Indiana, PA)

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has been dedicated to protecting and restoring the region’s exceptional natural places since 1932. As a member-based nonprofit organization, we work in cities and towns across Western Pennsylvania and rely on the help of thousands of members, partners and volunteers. We are making a difference in our region’s water, land and life. We do this work for the benefit of wildlife and people who call Western Pennsylvania home, and for future generations. 

We are currently hiring an individual to fill the Watershed Conservation Intern position based out of Indiana, PA. The person in this position will work under the supervision of assigned Watershed Conservation staff in the summer of 2026 for approximately 12 weeks (500 hours). The function of this position is to assist with implementing a variety of watershed restoration projects and aquatic surveys, in close coordination with Watershed Conservation staff.     

Job Duties

• Water quality monitoring & assessment 
• Watershed restoration and stream habitat enhancement 
• Agricultural best management practices 
• Project design, planning, and implementation 
• Stream survey work including macroinvertebrates, fish, salamanders, and/or freshwater mussels 

Physical Requirements

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Utilizing keyboarding and fine motor skills  

• Utilizing gross motor skills to operate tools and equipment 

• Driving a motor vehicle  

• Pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds  

• Bending, twisting, stooping, crouching, kneeling, and crawling 

• Reaching overhead, at, and below eye level 

• Swimming and wading in flowing water 

• Climbing up and down stairways and ladders 

• Sitting/standing/walking for periods in excess of 2 hours traversing rugged terrain 

• Speaking and hearing in-person, telephone, and other remote speech (2-way radio) 

• Seeing with near, far, and peripheral visual acuity 

• Evenings and weekend hours 

Qualifications

• • Proficiency with all Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel 
  • Able to travel to various worksites and willing to work some evenings, weekends, and overnight trips as needed 
  • The ability to conduct field research in remote locations as part of a team is essential for this position 
  • Job requires the ability to traverse rugged terrain while carrying at least 50 pounds of equipment in a variety of weather conditions and assist with strenuous physical duties, including heavy lifting and using hand/power tools to complete construction activities 
  • To be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation. 

Location

This position's primary location(s): Watershed Conservation Office (Indiana, PA)

Position Duration

This is a part-time, temporary opportunity, lasting approximately 12 weeks (500 hours).

Pay

Application Process

Please send a cover letter, resume, salary expectations, and referral source to wpcjobs@paconserve.org and list “Watershed Conservation Intern” in the subject line.

Application Deadline

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