Horticultural Soil Science Intern at Midwest Groundcovers LLC – Maple Park, Illinois

OBJECTIVE/ACCOUNTABILITY

To achieve business and personal goals through the company while assisting in the Quality Control Program. To gain an understanding of raw components for growing mixes and how they interact to yield desirable characteristics for plant production. To become proficient in laboratory techniques and assist in other scientific and technical support for the company.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lab Work

• Learn lab techniques

• Assist in the testing of raw components

• Assist in the testing of mixes produced through the Mix Plant

• Process and record data

• Manage samples

Research

• Conduct a study under the guidance of the supervisor

• Study to be presented at the culmination of the internship

• Exact study topic dependent on yearly needs and intern educational focus

Field Work

• Collect samples from various facilities for analysis

• Collect data from the field

Technical Support

• Learn about various technical aspects of the company

• Urban Soils

• Green roofs

• Growing mixes

• Raw components

Other

• Attend meetings and events as needed

• Sample preparation for customers

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled in, or recently graduated with, an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study

• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks

• Ability to lift 25 lbs

• Strong communication and organizational skills

BENEFITS

• Paid holidays

• Employee discounts

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Proudly ranked as both a 2024 and 2025 Top Workplaces Winner in several categories, including Woman-Led companies and Cultural Excellence for Professional Development. Midwest Trading is a wholesale supplier leading the Green Industry in Chicagoland with sustainable products for over 40 years. We specialize in greenhouse and nursery mixes, custom-engineered soils for green roofs, bioswales, and rain gardens. We also provide landscape mulches, soil amendments, and horticultural supplies.