Full-Time Openings

GARDENER

Job Description

Assist Horticulture staff with the installation and care of the display gardens and horticultural collections, both outdoors and under glass. Individuals in this position should have a keen interest in horticulture and gardening, a general understanding of horticultural principals, and the skills necessary to perform basic horticultural tasks.

Responsibilities
• Assist with the hands-on maintenance of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees and tropical plants in a manner consistent with the horticulture standards of the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
• Physically work in all aspects of garden maintenance and development including soil preparation, planting & transplanting, mulching, watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, propagating, potting, raking, sweeping & blowing, tree & brush cutting, and recordkeeping.
• Utilize shovels, trowels, fan rakes, grading rakes, spades, digging forks, pickaxes, brooms, hand shears, hand saws, loppers, pole pruners & pole saws, wheelbarrows, fertilizer spreaders, garden carts, ladders, and other hand tools to complete assigned tasks.
• Operate push mowers, weed-whackers, backpack blowers, push blowers, garden ATV’s, tractors, pickup trucks, and other power equipment in accordance with LGBG safety protocols and regulatory standards (training will be provided).
• Participate in weekly group maintenance tasks such as blowing walkways, filling gas cans, and caring for tools and equipment.
• Participate in group projects with other horticulture staff and in cross-departmental projects.
• Work with Horticulture Volunteers.

Skills and Abilities
• A demonstrated understanding of the horticultural practices and procedures required for soil preparation, planting & transplanting, mulching, watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, propagating, mowing, raking, sweeping & blowing, and tree & brush cutting.
• The ability to identify frequently used woody, herbaceous, and annual landscape plants by common name.
• The ability to use shovels, trowels, fan rakes, grading rakes, spades, digging forks, pickaxes, brooms, hand shears, hand saws, loppers, pole pruners & pole saws, wheelbarrows, fertilizer spreaders, garden carts, ladders, and other hand tools effectively.
• The ability to operate push mowers, riding mowers, weed-whackers, backpack blowers, push blowers, garden ATV’s, pickup trucks, chainsaws and other power equipment safely and effectively.
• The physical strength, dexterity, and coordination sufficient to perform the above functions.
• A willingness to interact with the public on an informal basis by answering questions, providing directions, etc.
• The ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

Education and Experience
• An Associate’s degree in Horticulture, Botany, Plant Science, or a related field.
• One year of experience as a professional gardener or groundskeeper.
• Virginia Pesticide Applicator’s License (or the ability to obtain one within six months of hire).
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Other combinations of education/experience appropriate to the job will be considered.

To apply, please see the full Gardener job description (PDF) and submit a cover letter, resume, and Lewis Ginter Employment Application to George Cowart, Horticulture Manager, at [email protected]

PLANT RECORDS CURATOR

Position Description
The Plant Records Curator is responsible for maintaining all plant related records including the plant records database, files of plants received, accession tags and display labels, and electronic maps. This position works under the general supervision of the Director of Horticulture and reports to the Horticulture Manager for the coordination of daily activities, attendance, and other operational procedures.

Responsibilities
• Accession all woody and herbaceous plants at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and the Lewis Ginter Nature Reserve in accordance with accessioning protocols.
• Maintain IrisBG plant records database files including plant accessions, names, locations, and sources. Update files on a regular basis to accurately reflect the composition of the living collections including plant-outs and removals.
• Maintain electronic maps of woody and herbaceous collections using IrisBG Garden Explorer and GPS transmitter. Update maps on a regular basis.
• Serve as primary institutional contact with IrisBG technical staff. Troubleshoot database problems and coordinate periodic software upgrades.
• Identify plants using botanical references and by comparison with other named specimens.
• Verify plant names using botanical references. Update plant record database to reflect nomenclatural changes.
• Maintain accurate labeling; coordinate and produce embossed aluminum plant accession tags and engraved plastic display labels and affix them to plant specimens in the field. Oversee tag embosser and label engraver operation by staff and volunteers.

Additional Responsibilities
• Coordinate periodic inventories of the plant collections.
• Review collections for proper identification using taxonomic keys, herbaria, and other references.
• Track plant specimens that are part of the garden’s Memorial Tribute Program, including plant name and location, recipient and donor name, contact information, memorial wording, etc.
• Supervise the plant records activities of seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Maintain plant records supplies including accession tag blanks, display label engraving stock, and mounting stakes and wire. Submit requisitions for purchases.
• Provide information on LGBG plant collections to staff, board members, donors, horticultural professionals, and the public in the form of plant lists and maps for the production of reports, newsletters, blog posts, brochures, press releases, etc.
• Assist with preparation of yearly Index Seminum international seed exchange.
• Participate in garden-wide events, exhibitions, and group projects, when required.
• Assist with preparation of Plant Records budget.
• Work collaboratively with other divisions to fulfill the Garden’s mission and accomplish its goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Horticulture or his/her designee.

Skills and Abilities
• An understanding of standard plant collections curatorial practices and procedures.
• Familiar with IrisBG collections management software and IrisBG Garden Explorer GIS software.
• Ability to identify a wide variety of trees, shrubs, vines, herbaceous perennials, and annuals suitable for cultivation in central Virginia. Familiarity with tropicals helpful.
• Familiar with horticultural taxonomy.
• An understanding of the principals of horticultural nomenclature.
• Willingness to work with staff and volunteers of all ages and from all backgrounds.

Education and Experience
• A Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Botany, Plant Science, or a related field.
• Two years of professional experience managing and maintaining botanical garden records.
• Proficiency in the use of IrisBG Collections Management Software and Microsoft Office applications is required.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Other combinations of education/experience appropriate to the job will be considered.

To apply, please see the full Plant Records Curator job description (PDF) and submit a resume, cover letter and Lewis Ginter Employment Application to John Morse at [email protected].

Operations Housekeeping Assistant

Job Description
The Operations Assistant in Housekeeping is responsible for assisting in day-to-day functions of the Garden including custodial and housekeeping duties.  A successful candidate must have the ability to communicate effectively with staff of all levels and interact with Garden visitors and volunteers in a cheerful and positive manner. They must be able to work independently without supervision as well as alongside other members of the Operations team.

To apply, please see the full Operations Housekeeping Assistant Job Description (PDF) and submit a resume, cover letter and Lewis Ginter Employment Application to Justin Brown at [email protected]

Part-Time & Seasonal Openings & Internships

Visitors Center Associate

Job Description
Handles payment in exchange for admission fees and membership dues, event tickets, and classes
 Responsible for all cash and credit card transactions; following established procedures for opening
and closing assigned register
 Able to efficiently use TAM database to perform ticket sales, register guests for classes, run reports, check daily schedule of events, look up events for guests needing information (date and location confirmation, etc.)
 Able to use Outlook and Microsoft office products to check Admissions emails, respond via email to
Garden staff on admissions-related matters if needed and check shared calendar for staffing schedule updates
 Able to efficiently and accurately use Raiser’s Edge database to look up memberships and issue
temporary membership cards, sell new memberships and renew existing or lapsed memberships
 Able to recruit membership sales, appropriately recommend upgrades and provide special membership services
 Assists with handling membership mailings, promotions, and specials
 Participates in strategies that grow the membership base and retain current members
 Keeps working area organized, is ready to conduct business and keeps the area tidy for following day’s shift
 Provides departmental support as requested and needed to handle exceptionally busy processing seasons
 Makes use of slow periods by performing administrative duties like assembling member packets, restocking Garden materials and seasonal rack cards, etc.
 Ensures areas of visitor entry in Visitors Center are ready for the day’s business to include turning monitors on, ensuring all signage are accurate, checking for accurate signage on exteriors doors as verified by ActiveNet schedule of events each day
 Able to create and print new signage if needed to alert guests of time-sensitive issues like closings, limited access to certain areas of the Garden, safety alerts, special event information, etc.

To apply, please see the full Visitors Center Associate job description (PDF) and submit a cover letter, resume, and Lewis Ginter Employment Application (PDF) to Robin Gregson at [email protected]

Public Relations & Marketing Intern (Social Media)

The PR department strives to build the Lewis Ginter Botanical brand through all communication and concentrates efforts on publicity or “free” exposure for the Garden.  By supporting all areas of the Garden, public relations and marketing works to entice people to visit, and to engage them in a relationship with the Garden.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden connects people through plants to improve communities.

General job duties of Public Relations Interns:

• Work with director of public relations and public relations coordinator to help meet needs of reporters and photographers.
• Help update calendar events on the Garden’s website
• Post Garden info to websites such as tourism sites and media calendars
• Research and write basic news releases
• Take and upload digital photos of the Garden
• Assist with events as needed
• Provide general office and project support for the PR & Marketing Dept.
• Assist in supporting the Garden’s social media efforts as needed, including filming and edit movies.
• Write blog posts and tell stories for the Garden’s blog.

Qualifications:

• Strong writing & communication skills
• Ability to work on computers and use a digital camera
• Some simple graphic design skills and the ability to use or to learn PhotoShop & WordPress
• Should be prepared to work in a business environment
• Ability to work on deadline
• Should be able to work alone and as part of a team
• Experience using Flickr, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, blogging is helpful

Internship training includes:

• Press release formats and AP style
• How to write to encourage news coverage and create public interest
• The opportunity to learn more about social media and using it to connect with the community & to pitch stories

This internship is offered year-round. Hours are flexible but require a minimum of 150 hours per semester and 10-15 hours per week. We also welcome interns and volunteers who are not students. This is an unpaid internship. As an intern, you will be eligible to earn volunteer benefits.

To apply please send the following to Ms. Jonah Holland, PR & Marketing Coordinator at [email protected].

• Resume
• 2 writing samples
• Cover letter detailing your interest in the specific internship and how this experience will help you reach your educational and career goals, and your scheduling availability (start/end dates, day/times available).
• 2 recommendations (preferably on LinkedIn)

Deadlines for applications (somewhat flexible):

Fall Semester/August 25
Spring Semester/November 30
Summer/March 15