Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

volunteering and job opportunities

The Garden has many volunteer opportunities. To learn more, click here.

The following jobs are available:

Facility Events Staff Assistant (Part-time)

Reports to: Guest Services Manager

Overtime Status: Non-exempt

Job Summary: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden comprises 81 total acres, with 35 acres under intense cultivation and a conservatory with over 10,500 sq. ft. of display area. The Garden accommodated 250,000 visitors in FY 2006-07, 40,000 diners, 429 rental groups, including 105 weddings and hundreds of education offerings for all age groups.

The Facility Events Staff Assistant(s) reports to the Guest Services Manager and is responsible for assisting with the logistics of rental events including weddings, corporate, non profit and private events, to ensure a quality experience for the rental client and their guests. This position will work closely with the Guest Services Manager, Meriwether Godsey event managers, Facility Events Coordinators and [Operations Coordinator] to ensure events run smoothly and in accordance with facility rental terms and conditions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Post temporary event signage based on booked events/venues.

Direct guests to appropriate parking areas and event entrances.

Inspect event venue to ensure the physical event setup is complete and accurate and venue is ready for guests.

Direct vendors to appropriate venue(s) based on vendor information form(s) and in compliance with rental contract terms and conditions.

Greet guests and provide event and/or basic Garden information as needed.

Liaison to client at ceremony venue, ceremony musicians and caterer at reception venue.

Monitor ceremony venue for compliance with mandatory ceremony start time and rental term requiring acoustical ceremony music.

Assist late guests to ceremony venue and monitor venue for possible noise conflicts due to multiple events in the Garden.

Direct guests from ceremony to reception venue and be accessible for guest questions.

Monitor reception music at Bloemendaal House to ensure compliance with rental term related to reception music start time and Henrico County noise ordinance.

Attend Saturday wedding rehearsal(s) to review event setup with bridal client and/or wedding coordinator; answer questions and/or coordinate last minute requests.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Knowledgeable about facility rental terms and conditions, especially key terms that may affect multiple events.
Willingly and cheerfully integrate work of department with the efforts of other departments (particularly guest/visitor services, facility rental, operations, and catering).
Make recommendations for facility rental event logistics.
Perform duties with an eye to the horticultural and educational mission of the Garden, and to preserving the beauty of the displays.
Ensure all mishaps, injuries and incidents are reported immediately and ultimately in writing to supervisor and the Assistant Executive Director for Finance and Operations.
Be vigilant to any possible threat to the safety of visitors, volunteers, and staff or to their property. Ensures all concerns are reported promptly.
Follow procedures and protocols established by supervisor and the Garden, including those outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Perform other duties as assigned by Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, Guest Services Manager or supervisor.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

Must be able to lift 20 pounds intermittently
Must be able to work outdoors in all seasonal extremes
Must be able to walk quickly between all garden venues

Note: Duties described above have been identified as essential functions as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Number of employees supervised: 0

Qualifications:

Knowledge: A demonstrated understanding of event coordination; 1-2 years experience in event planning/coordination is preferred. Some experience in -or working with- the food service or tourism industry is required.

Skills: Must be detail and customer-service oriented with strong organization skills. Excellent communication and logistical skills are required. Must have a cheerful, calm and courteous demeanor.

Abilities: Able to communicate effectively with people at all levels and in various settings via multiple communication tools. Must be articulate and a demonstrated self-starter; proven ability to work in a team environment is required.

Education: An associate's or bachelor's degree is preferred, preferably in event management, hospitality or tourism. An associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field and/or significant experience in event coordination, hospitality or tourism fields will be considered.

Desiree Tenenbaum Guest Services Manager Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Fax (804) 262-4786 desireet@lewisginter.org

2/22/08

Internship Opportunities

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia is seeking candidates for twelve week and nine month paid internships starting in mid-May, 2008.

The intern will be a seasonal member of the Horticulture department and will gain exposure to a variety of professional experiences by working in a public garden. Applicants should be students in good standing who are working toward an AAS or BS in Plant Sciences (Horticulture, Botany, Agricultural Education), Life Sciences Education or a recent 2008 graduate.

Internships are a prime opportunity to gain valuable experience working alongside professional horticulturists and educators. Interns have access to the Garden's extensive living plant and herbarium collections, greenhouses, library, and staff.

Through the years, intern projects have contributed significantly to the development of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and have focused on subjects like children's gardening, display or interpretation for a native tree trail. In addition to specific requirements for their projects, all interns keep a written journal of activities during their internship, and may participate in staff meetings, field trips and adult education classes offered through the Garden.

For images or more information about Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, please visit our website at www.lewisginter.org.

Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, a one-page personal statement that articulates career goals and how this internship may support professional development, and a letter of recommendation from an advisor, instructor, or professional colleague. Applications will be reviewed until the positions are filled. E-mail information to:

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Education Internship

Karen Clowers, Horticulture Coordinator

1800 Lakeside Avenue

Richmond, VA 23228

e-mail: karenc@lewisginter.org

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden provides education to the community about the plant world, promotes the best in horticulture and landscape design, and works toward the goal of being a leader in botanical and applied horticultural research. For more information, visit www.lewisginter.org

Paid Internship Opportunity, Start Date, May 2008

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia (www.lewisginter.org) is seeking candidates for a paid internship opportunity beginning in mid-May and available through Labor Day, 2008.

The intern will be a seasonal member of the Children's Garden Team and will gain exposure to a variety of professional experiences while working with children and families in an outdoor environment. The primary emphasis of this internship is on the development and facilitation of creative programs and activities that support and encourage a young child's natural curiosity about the world around them. Applicants should be students in good standing who are working toward an AAS, BS or MS in Early Childhood Development or related fields.

Internships are a prime opportunity to gain valuable experience working alongside professional educators. While the botanically rich, interactive Children's Garden is home base for this internship, interns have access to the Garden's extensive living plant and herbarium collections, greenhouses, library, and staff.

Through the years, intern projects have contributed significantly to the development of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and have focused on subjects like children's gardening, horticultural therapy, and interpretation for a native tree trail. In addition to specific requirements for their projects, all interns keep a written journal of their daily activities during their internship, and may participate in staff meetings and adult education classes offered through the Garden.

Education Internship, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228, FAX 804-262-0048, e-mail: registrar@lewisginter.org