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Horticulture Intern

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

People & HR

Grand Rapids, MI, USA

Posted on Feb 5, 2026

Position: Horticulture Intern

Location:

Grand Rapids, MI

Job Id: 732

# of Openings: 1

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park promotes the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts. Meijer Gardens is ranked among the 100 most visited art institutions in the world. The organization embraces the concept of a major cultural attraction centering around horticulture & sculpture. Meijer Gardens' commitment is to create a legacy of lifelong learning, enjoyment, and a rich cultural experience for generations to come.

Department: Horticulture

This is a paid internship, paid bi-weekly.

Schedule and Duration: This position is approximately 40 hours per week, adjusting work hours on an agreed as-needed basis during peak project periods, which may occasionally include modified hours or limited weekend availability.

All interns must be available for a minimum of 10 weeks between June and August and participate in the required internship program sessions. These sessions are held every Wednesday for 3 hours and are included as part of your weekly schedule.

Position Summary: The Horticulture Internship offers hands-on learning opportunities for students or emerging professionals interested in public gardens, landscape management, or botanical sciences. Interns will work alongside experienced horticulture staff to support daily garden operations, build fundamental horticulture skills, and gain exposure to a wide range of plant care and landscape maintenance practices. This role is ideal for individuals seeking real-world experience in a dynamic outdoor environment while contributing to the beauty and care of our gardens

Essential Functions

Collaborate with horticulture staff to learn and assist with daily garden and greenhouse tasks.
Participate in supervised plant care activities such as soil preparation, planting, pruning,
mulching, weeding, watering, fertilizing, and basic irrigation support.
Support turf care and lawn maintenance within specialty garden areas as part of a small
team.
Receive training and hands-on experience operating lawn mowers, weed whips, backpack
blowers, and other small landscape equipment.
Assist with snow removal when needed, using tools such as walk-behind snow throwers and
shovels to help maintain safe walkways.
Contribute to the setup and removal of seasonal exhibits and plant displays.
Maintain cleanliness and organization of tool storage areas, carts, and shared equipment.
Assist staff with volunteer activities by providing basic direction and support under
supervision.
Learn to safely perform tasks requiring work at height, including ladder use.
Support compost removal and proper placement of materials for recycling.
Engage positively with guests and volunteers, offering assistance and information as
appropriate.
Perform daily duties with growing independence as skills develop.
Complete additional tasks as assigned within the horticulture department or across the
organization that align with educational and internship goals.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop foundational skills in plant care, garden maintenance, and landscape tools/equipment.
Gain experience working within a professional horticulture team in a public-facing environment.
Strengthen problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
Build a practical understanding of seasonal garden operations and exhibit preparation.

Requirements:

Current enrollment in or recent completion of a degree, trade, or certificate program in Art, Art History, or a related field at an accredited institution.
Available for a minimum of 10 weeks of in-person intern programming in Grand Rapids, MI
Ability to commit to scheduled work hours and program requirements.
Strong interest in learning and professional development.
Valid Driver’s License without work restrictions
Basic horticulture knowledge is preferred but not required. Successful candidates should demonstrate curiosity, willingness to learn, and an interest in plants or environmental work.
Demonstrated interest in horticulture, plant science, environmental studies, landscape maintenance, or related fields.
Ability to follow instructions, work safely, and collaborate with staff and volunteers.

Organizational Expectations

Welcoming: Fostering joy and an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.
Excellence: Approaching all we do with world-class intentionalism.
Innovation: Embracing the future to create unique and engaging experiences in art, culture and nature with a commitment to creativity.
Integrity: Operating with honesty, transparency and accountability throughout the organization.
Stewardship: Preserving and enhancing our community, physical, cultural, and financial resources for current and future generations.

Working Conditions: Basic mobility is expected in offices, grounds, and exhibition areas. Ability to observe details at close range and communicate information accurately with others. Engage in occasional object manipulation with or without assistance and efficiently navigate the workspace to access essential resources. Ability to regularly move up to 20 pounds and frequently up to 50 pounds (i.e., load, unload, and move supplies, medium to heavy weight tools, and equipment). Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder. This job operates in a professional indoor office environment, across grounds, and exhibition areas. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors with exposure to extreme temperatures, loud noise, dust, fumes, hazardous materials, cleaning agents, small spaces, and varying heights.

As part of our onboarding process, all new hires are required to complete our background check.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

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Horticulture Intern

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