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: Facility Attendants
Supervisor: Facility Attendants Manager
Pay Type: Hourly, Non-Exempt, Seasonal
Compensation: $15.00 per hour
Position Summary: The Sustainability Intern will work with volunteers and the Facility Attendants team to coordinate recycling and waste diversion efforts at our Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts and Tuesday Evening Music Club. This role will also work collaboratively with another summer intern and internal staff to develop and implement a composting plan for the organization. Interns will work approximately 25-29 hours per week, with scheduling flexibility based on department needs and intern availability
Essential Functions
- Summer Concerts
- Seek continuous improvements and innovative ways to improve a successful recycling program
- Coordinate with the Facility Attendants team regarding waste collection and sustainability best practices.
- Report on concerts from a sustainability perspective, evaluating guest, volunteer, and staff engagement.
- Lead waste sorting and recycling efforts, including volunteer check-in, training, and monitoring; fill in for volunteer shifts when needed
- Serve as the main point of contact for third-party recycling and returnable diversion services
- General Sustainability Initiatives
- Research and gather feedback from staff, guests, and vendors to identify opportunities for sustainable improvements.
- Meet with internal departments and external vendors to assess and reduce the organization's environmental footprint.
- Observe guest and staff behavior in facilities and outdoor spaces to support sustainability initiatives and encourage measurable improvements.
- Conduct research and data analysis to support the development of a multi-department sustainability budget for phased implementation.
- Work from an existing draft Sustainability Plan to further develop, refine, and implement organization-wide sustainability strategies.
Education and / or Qualifications preferred:
- Education: Current enrollment in or recent completion of a degree in a field related to sustainability/environmental studies.
- Skills/Knowledge/Licenses:
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Basic computer skills including Outlook, Excel, Word, Power Point, and Acrobat
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Strong customer service skills; confidence in communicating with diverse population
Organizational Expectations
- Embrace Meijer Gardens’ mission to promote the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts.
- Embrace the organization’s non-profit status and commitment to serving and treating the public with dignity and working with a broad and diverse group of employees, volunteers, members, and guests in a respectful and professional manner.
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, frequently up to 50 pounds, and occasionally move 100+ pounds (i.e., load, unload, and move supplies, medium to heavy weight tools, and equipment). Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder. Regularly operates in outdoor and challenging weather conditions, including exposure to temperatures exceeding 100°F and dropping below 0°F, rain, high humidity, snow, and direct sunlight. This encompasses both outdoor settings and greenhouse environments. May entail exposure to various workplace hazards such as hazardous materials, loud noise, and extreme heat/cold. Ability to work a flexible schedule of 20-24 hours per week including nights and weekends.
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.
