Full-Time Openings

Conservatory Horticulturist

The Conservatory Horticulturist is responsible for planning, coordinating, and assisting with the development, management, and daily care of the plant displays and thematic collections in the Conservatory and nearby grounds. Individuals should have a strong understanding of horticulture, display mastery of the skills necessary to perform horticulture tasks, and be familiar with the identification and cultivation of a wide variety of tropical and subtropical plants. She/he will be able to design creative and aesthetically pleasing displays and be familiar with the principals of glasshouse operation and management. The ideal candidate will be detail oriented and will have a strong eye for design. 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

Responsibilities  Coordinate, oversee, and assist with the daily care and maintenance of Conservatory displays and plant collections in a manner consistent with the horticultural standards of the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.  Physically work in all aspects of Conservatory maintenance and development including soil preparation, planting, mulching, watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, sweeping, and blowing.  Inspect the Conservatory and nearby grounds regularly and identify tasks that need to be performed.  Prioritize horticultural tasks, develop work schedules, and coordinate their implementation.  Supervise daily activities of Gardeners, seasonal staff, and volunteers; provide training, as needed.  Monitor Conservatory environment using Argus climate control system.  Monitor operation of Conservatory mechanical systems.  Monitor the quality and health of Conservatory collections and displays.  Control pests and diseases using cultural methods, biological controls, and pesticides according to IPM protocols; maintain treatment records.  Apply fertilizers in accordance with best management guidelines.  Conceive and design displays; develop plans, select plants, and locate plant sources.  Develop strategies for the renovation and rejuvenation of the permanent plant collections.  Coordinate Conservatory work tasks with Horticulture Manager.  Assist with the curation of the Conservatory collections; report plant additions and removals to the Plant Recorder, perform periodic plant inventories and request accession tags and display labels.  Troubleshoot and report problems with mechanical and climate control systems.

To apply, please see the full Conservatory Horticulturist Job Posting (PDF) and submit an application, resume and cover letter to John Morse, Director of Horticulture at [email protected]

Associate Director of Development

Job Description

The Associate Director of Development will collaborate on all aspects of the Garden’s development initiatives. S/he will work with the Director of Advancement to develop and execute Annual Fund and Membership strategies to provide steady and significant growth in both. Membership and Advancement Services personnel will report directly to the Associate Director of Development. The Associate Director of Development will identify Annual Giving donors for greater engagement with Lewis Ginter. S/he will manage a portfolio of 50-75 individuals through the Moves Management process and develop a comprehensive program of focused solicitation strategies to convincingly present the Garden’s priorities and cases for support. The Associate Director of Development will develop engagement, fundraising and personalized stewardship plans for donors of $10,000+ and will be responsible for securing major gifts to the Garden.

The successful candidate will be a development professional with broad-based knowledge of all development functions. S/he will possess a thorough knowledge of best practice in development and will have experience in multiple development functions. S/he will be an intuitive, creative, resourceful, innovative, flexible and experienced leader with a proven record of success in securing gifts from individuals.

To apply, please see the full Associate Director of Development job description (PDF) and forward a resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Operations Assistant

Job Description

The Operations Assistant is responsible for assisting in day-to-day functions of the Garden, preparation and coordination for private and public events and exhibits, as well as custodial and housekeeping duties under the supervision of the Operations Team Leader. 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.

Responsibilities

• Set-up of tents, tables, chairs, etc., for all ongoing Garden events, including rental events and in-house functions
• Collect and remove all trash and litter from the buildings and grounds on a daily basis
• Clean and maintain the appearance of the interior of all buildings and grounds on a daily basis including housekeeping responsibilities
• Respond to requests of all departments/staff members for Operations assistance, as directed by supervisor
• Organize and maintain equipment and storage areas
• Assist with all components of the operations of the Garden
• Provide information and directions to visitors and guests of the Garden or appropriately direct them to the Robins Visitors Center for assistance
• General repair and maintenance of all structures, vehicles, equipment, and utilities
• Maintain accurate maintenance records
• Assist with special construction and maintenance projects
• Use departmental communication tools effectively and correctly including set-up sheets, scheduling task lists, clock-in computers and radios
• Installation and de-installation of outside garden areas and inside facilities for Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights to include: light installation, display set up, construction for securing displays, electrical testing, running extension cords, etc.

To apply, please see the full job description(pdf) and submit an application, resume, and cover letter to Operations Manager, Justin Brown, [email protected].

Part-Time Openings & Internships

Facility Events Staff Assistant

Job Description 

The Facility Events Staff Assistant(s) reports to the Assistant Facility Events Coordinator and is responsible for assisting with the logistics of rental events including weddings, corporate, non profit and private events, as well as GardenFest events, to ensure a quality experience for the rental client and their guests. This position will work closely with the Director of Guest Services, Facility Events Coordinators, Meriwether Godsey event managers, Operations Team Members, and in cooperation with the Garden’s Security 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.

To apply, please see the full job description(pdf) and submit an application, resume, and cover letter to Assistant Facility Events Coordinator, Lindsay Condelli at [email protected].

 

Horticulture Research Intern

Full Time, Seasonal

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s Horticulture Team is seeking an inquisitive, dynamic, hard-working and enthusiastic research intern who is excited about spending the summer learning the art and craft of horticulture while implementing and completing a plant-based research project. The intern will work in all Garden areas, assisting staff and volunteers with the challenging, hands-on tasks of managing and curating a wide variety of seasonal displays, garden areas, plant collections and departmental initiatives. When not scheduled to conduct research, the intern can expect to weed, rake, groom, prune, plant, mulch and haul debris in seasonal extremes and all weather conditions on a daily basis.

Responsibilities & Research Tasks

• Work with Director and Manager of Horticulture to execute a summer research project, designed to address a current challenge faced by the Horticulture Department (examples of past topics: water quality monitoring, integrated pest management resources and strategies, food crop production, medicinal plants and benthic macroinvertebrate population surveys)
• Compile research into a user-friendly resource to share with the department, Garden and guests
• Prepare and present a report of experience, procedures and findings to Garden staff and guests Horticulture Tasks
• Assist horticulturists in all areas of the Garden with wide variety of primary garden care tasks, including planting, mulching, grooming, watering, fertilizing, weeding, etc., using best horticulture practices in accordance with established Garden standards
• Participate in routine group tasks such as leaf blowing walkways and string trimming weeds
• Perform routine maintenance on Garden power tools and equipment such as filling gas cans, restringing trimmers, cleaning and sanitizing tools, and keeping equipment organized and tidy

To apply, please see the full Horticulture Reseach Intern job description (PDF) and submit a submit an application, resume and cover letter to George Cowart, Horticulture Manager at [email protected] 

Children’s Garden Intern 

Job Description

The Children’s Education Team at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is seeking a creative and enthusiastic intern to assist with outdoor, nature-based programs for preschool through high school aged children of all abilities. In addition to teaching and supervising program participants, typical daily duties include: program check-in and check-out, orientation, program materials maintenance, preparing snacks, and set-up and break-down each day. The intern will gain valuable informal education experience and natural history knowledge while learning group management techniques in an outdoor setting.

Responsibilities

Work closely with Educators to:

• Implement nature-based activities, crafts, story time, and games; adapt activities based on the needs of the participants, the weather, and available spaces
• Facilitate group management, especially during times of transition (snack, bathroom breaks, check-in and check-out)
• Act as a mentor that thoughtfully engages participants interests and encourages inquiry
• Model positive and respectful interactions with plants, animals, and other people in the Garden
• Set-up and break-down of indoor and outdoor education areas
  Provide a safe and respectful learning environment
• Other duties as assigned

To apply, please see the full job description (PDF) and submit a cover letter and resume to Kelly Riley, Children’s Education Manager 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 volunteeers who are not students. This is an unpaid internship.

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