2027 Outdoor Experience Internship

Job description

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization. Job Description: Job Title: Outdoor Experience Intern Reports to: Nature Engagement Program Manager FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt Location: Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site) Date Reviewed: 10/23/2026 About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission. In June 2026, Crystal Bridges’ 114,000 square foot expansion opened to the public, allowing the museum to expand access for all. The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment. Position Summary: The Outdoor Experience Intern supports the Trails and Grounds team in delivering nature-based educational programs and caring for outdoor learning environments. This position combines environmental education, guest engagement, program logistics, volunteer support, horticultural work, and nature-based interpretation. The intern will gain hands-on experience in landscape stewardship, program development, evaluation, and cross-departmental collaboration while working in both indoor and outdoor settings. Duties and Responsibilities: · Assist in planning and delivering outdoor educational programs for youth, families, adults, and other diverse audiences. · Support guided nature walks and outdoor activities, including preparation, setup, participant engagement, and cleanup. · Help develop curriculum materials, interpretive content, and educational resources aligned with environmental learning goals. · Assist with workshops, classes, and special events that connect art, nature, wellness, and stewardship. · Create or support nature-based writing and interpretation for programs, signs, digital communications, and other educational materials. · Promote conservation practices, habitat care, and sustainable gardening through educational content and guest interactions. · Coordinate and support landscape and grounds volunteers, including scheduling, orientation, training, communication, and task supervision. · Participate in horticultural and grounds tasks, including planting, weeding, watering, mulching, pruning support, and habitat maintenance. · Collaborate with Trails and Grounds, Learning and Engagement, Guest Services, Facilities, and other departments to support integrated outdoor experiences. · Engage museum guests in ways that foster curiosity, belonging, and appreciation for the natural world. · Assist with program logistics, including materials preparation, participant communication, attendance tracking, and equipment organization. · Collect and summarize participant feedback and other program information to support evaluation and continuous improvement. · Follow and support safety, risk-management, and weather-related procedures for outdoor activities. · Help maintain educational tools, program materials, natural learning spaces, and shared work areas. · Perform other related duties as assigned. Qualifications: · Current undergraduate student with an interest in environmental education, horticulture, outdoor recreation, interpretation, museum education, or a related field. · Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. · Comfortable engaging with diverse audiences, including children, families, adults, volunteers, and museum guests. · Organized, dependable, adaptable, and eager to learn in a collaborative environment. · Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and contribute effectively as part of a team. · Ability and willingness to work outdoors in varying weather and terrain conditions. · Basic proficiency with computers and common workplace applications, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation tools. · Experience with gardening, landscaping, environmental education, interpretation, public programs, or volunteer coordination is preferred but not required. Timeline: Anticipated Start Date: January 25, 2027 Anticipated End Date: November 15, 2027 Inclement weather make-up dates: To be scheduled as needed in coordination with the direct supervisor. Schedule: Normal work hours are 7:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m., Monday-Friday. Occasional schedule adjustments, early mornings, evenings, or weekends may be needed to support programs, events, or weather-dependent work. Compensation: Undergraduate Students: $13.00 per hour Required Documents: Cover Letter Resume Cover Letter Questions: · What interests you about this Outdoor Experience Internship, and how does it connect with your educational or career goals? · Describe an experience in which you helped others learn about, connect with, or care for nature. What did you learn from the experience? · This internship includes public engagement, outdoor work, horticultural tasks, writing, and collaboration across departments. Which of these areas most interests you, and where would you most like to grow? · Outdoor programs and landscape work can change because of weather, guest needs, or operational priorities. Please share an example of how you adapted when a plan changed. Physical Demands and Work Environment The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. Physical Demands: The position requires verbal and written communication with others; prolonged use of a computer; good hand-eye coordination; and the use of hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, controls, and standard office equipment. The intern must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, stretch, climb, reach, and work on uneven terrain. The position requires physical stamina and the ability to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Visual acuity is required to review written and digital materials, observe program participants, identify landscape conditions, and safely perform indoor and outdoor tasks, including close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment: Work is performed on-site in offices, museum spaces, classrooms, libraries, trails, gardens, natural areas, active landscape work areas, construction-adjacent areas, and communities served. Indoor work may take place in professional, climate-controlled spaces using computers, printers, and other standard office equipment. Outdoor work includes exposure to weather conditions prevalent at the time, uneven surfaces, insects, plants, dust, pollen, noise, tools, equipment, and potentially hazardous chemical solutions used in landscape operations. The role requires regular interaction with the public, volunteers, and internal team members in a professional and courteous manner. Local travel and occasional schedule flexibility may be required to support programs and business needs. All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion, where permitted by state law, of a confidentiality agreement and background check. Proper identification verifying eligibility to work in the United States will also be required. Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.