Visitor Services Assistant Intern

"All applicants should apply using the University of Michigan Careers website, eRecruit. Read below for instructions on how to apply"

Please note your Job Opening ID is 260330

1. Go to https://careers.umich.edu/ 

2. Under Job Search, enter the Job Opening ID or the Job Title in the Keyword box. 

3. Click on the Job Posting. Click on Apply Now at the top of the job posting. .

4. You are now in the standard application. Answer all questions and proceed through the application process as prompted. 

5. Click Submit when you are through.

How to Apply

Applications are welcomed and encouraged from all qualified individuals regardless of background and identity. A one-page cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume in a single pdf file. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experiences that directly relate to it. 

Who We Are

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum is a transformative force for social and ecological resilience through the waters and lands we steward. We turn this commitment into action by:

• Positioning humans as active participants within the natural world and compelling the university community and our publics to negotiate the full complexity that entails.

• Advancing partnerships, programs, and all that we steward to catalyze access and impact in a radically changing world.

• Emerging as University of Michigan’s premier partner for research, teaching, and public impact in sustainability, climate-forward practices, and biocultural diversity.

• Promoting healthier communities, cultures, and ecosystems through active care and cultivation of the gardens, fields, natural habitats, and dynamic systems that sustain our world.

For more information about MBGNA and the summer internship program, please visit: https://mbgna.umich.edu/summer-internships 

For questions about the internship application, please contact: MBGNAinternships@umich.edu 

Job Summary

The MBGNA summer internship takes place Monday, May 5 to Friday, September 1, 2025.  In order to fully participate in team collaboration and project work, selected candidates are expected to complete all dates of the internship. This is a student summer internship position with Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. This position will assist with weddings and other events and work with the Visitor Experience team. This position also serves as the primary point of contact for many of our over 500,000 annual visitors at both the Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The internship program runs May 6 through September 1, 2025 and includes evening and weekend hours. 

Learning Objectives

The MBGNA summer internship provides university-level students with opportunities to:

• Participate in experiential learning in a nature-based organization
• Directly contribute to strategic operations of a mission-driven organization
• Help unify and catalyze equity and justice across lands, waters, and dynamic systems

• Applicants must have one year of experience enrolled in a college or university by the internship start date. Recent college graduates who earned a degree in December 2024 or are planning to earn a degree by May 2025 are eligible to apply.  
• Must have a flexible schedule with weekend and evening availability from early May through Labor Day.

Responsibilities

This internship position is part of the Visitor Experience team at MBGNA.  This internship is focused on  Visitor Services. As part of the Visitor Experience team, this position will regularly interact with visitors, volunteers, and other MBGNA departments during the course of a workday.  

This internship position will support the goals of the Visitor Experience team through the following: 

• Greet visitors, take phone calls and communicate information about our properties and programs
• Assist with retail operations, plant sales, rentals, and special events.