Concert & Special Events Security Intern

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: Safety & Security                                    

Supervisor: Director of Safety & Security                                                

Pay Type: Part-time, Non-exempt, Seasonal

Schedule: Approximately 20–24 hours per week, primarily evenings and event-based schedules, including some weekends. Schedule will align with the concert and special event calendar.

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 Concert & Special Events Security Intern will explore live event safety operations with a focus on guest protection, crowd management strategy, and the consistent application of security protocols. This internship provides hands-on exposure to real-time concert and special event operations while engaging in forward-thinking research that informs long-term security planning. In addition to observing and analyzing on-site event security coordination, the intern will collaborate with Safety & Security leadership to evaluate emerging technologies that enhance situational awareness and operational decision-making.

The primary focus of this internship will be the Concert Security Technology & AI Innovation Project, in which the intern will research, assess, and design recommendations for AI-driven tools that strengthen guest safety, operational efficiency, and strategic preparedness. The role intentionally balances real-time operational learning with innovation-focused analysis to support continuous improvement in concert security practices.

Learning Outcomes:

Observe and document security operations across multiple concerts and special events, identifying opportunities where technology may improve safety, efficiency, or situational awareness

Research and assess AI-enabled video analytics and crowd-monitoring tools that support crowd density tracking, bottleneck detection, and restricted-area monitoring

Evaluate integrated, AI-supported security operations platforms that centralize incident reporting, camera visibility, and real-time decision-making during events

Explore AI-driven crowd flow, wayfinding, and guest-safety technologies applicable to live event and large-scale public environments

Develop a technology evaluation and recommendation summary that considers feasibility, scalability, guest experience impact, and high-level cost awareness

Propose a pilot-use concept outlining how selected technologies could be tested during a future concert or special event

Requirements:

Enrolled in a trade, degree, or certificate program 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.
• Interest in safety & security operations, emergency management, risk analysis, public safety, or event operations.
• Coursework or interest in criminal justice, cybersecurity, emergency management, information systems, data analytics, public administration, or related fields.

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. Occasionally, may be required to work outdoors under inclement weather conditions.

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.