Request For Proposal

FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPERATIONS

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden invites experienced food and beverage concessionaires to submit proposals for the Food and Beverage Operations at the Garden. Please review the full Request for Proposal (PDF) for complete details.

Proposals are due no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on September 30, 2019 by which time all proposals shall be recorded. Proposals will not be accepted after this date and time for whatever reason. Any late proposals will be returned unopened. Proposals submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. The Garden reserves the right to extend the Proposal due date and the Proposal Schedule. All changes or clarifications will be distributed to all registered proponents in the form of an Addendum.

Proposals, clearly marked “Food & Beverage Concessions RFP”, are to be submitted to:
Kim Dove
Chief Operating Officer
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
1800 Lakeside Avenue
Richmond, VA 23228

 

Full-Time Openings

There are currently no full-time openings.

Part-Time & Seasonal Openings & Internships

SECURITY ASSOCIATE

Responsibilities

• Responsible for security of the property to include grounds and facilities, safe and expeditious routing of guests and able to take first action steps in case of an emergency.
• Supports essential functions of garden operation to include ensuring the quality of the guest experience (visitors, guests and students); ensuring the securing and alarming of property; ensuring the physical integrity of property after hours, supporting management of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, particularly during public and private events.
• In conjunction with supervisor, directs the arrivals/departures of clients and guests at the service road access point, parking lots and at Garden entrance as required.
• Ensure that energy conservation measures are taken during nightly process of securing, locking and alarming LGBG structures.
• Ensure the safety and security of guests, volunteers, vendors and staff through presence, integrity of building, keys, alarms and communication.
• At the direction of supervisor, coordinate with other departments to ensure adequate security for scheduled LGBG events. Outsourced food contractor is considered to be a department of LGBG, with all the same rights and responsibilities.
• Works in coordination with supervisor, coworkers, Facility Events Coordinators and Facility Event Staff (FESA’s) at evening events where conditions require additional support, including last minute changes to venue set ups, tasks caused by inclement weather conditions or emergencies, and additional guest entry assistance.
• Ensure escort or presence is provided after 5:00 pm to groups or individuals.
• Responds to alarms, emergencies and security related incidents while on duty; decides what actions to take based on the situation, facts known, and position limitations.
• Investigates and reports on accidents, incidents, suspicious activities, safety and fire hazards and other security related situations to supervisor for correction or follow-up actions.

To apply, please see the full Security Associate job description (PDF) and submit a cover letter, resume, and Lewis Ginter Employment Application (PDF) to Kim Dove at [email protected].

GARDENFEST TRAFFIC/CLOSING ATTENDANT

Responsibilities

• Works with security team managing and directing traffic for the organizations seasonal GardenFest of Lights event that runs November 22, 2019 – January 6, 2020.
• Understands basic traffic pattern routing for GardenFest visitors, volunteers, class attendees, holiday party attendees, etc.
• Controls traffic at entrances and exits as needed.
• Monitors parking lots on an ongoing basis to assess parking availability.
• Able to clearly and efficiently communicate parking needs and routing instructions to team members, guests, staff and volunteers.
• Understands logistics of event sites, guest entry and exit routes and how different areas of the Garden may or may not be used after 5pm to ensure safe and expeditious routing of guests.
• Uses appropriate communication means when handling difficult situations and know when to contact a supervisor, Manager on Duty or Chief Operating Officer for assistance.
• Able to take first action steps in case of an emergency.
• Ensures the physical integrity of property during public and private events.
• In conjunction with supervisor or Facility Events team, directs the arrivals/departure of clients and guests at the service road access point and parking lots.
• Walks the interior and exterior perimeter of Garden to ensure safety and security of guest and employees, through presence, integrity of buildings, keys, alarms and communication.
• Works in coordination with Supervisor, Manager on Duty, Assistant Manager on Duty and Facility Events team during evening events where conditions require additional support, including last minute changes to venue set ups, tasks caused by inclement weather conditions or emergencies, and additional guest entry assistance.
• Ensures escort or presence is provided after 5:00 pm to groups or individuals that request it.
• Assists with end of night Garden sweep, lockup and arming of all buildings and in coordination with other security team members.

To apply, please see the full GardenFest Traffic/Closing Attendant job description (PDF) and submit a cover letter, resume, and Lewis Ginter Employment Application (PDF) to Kim Dove at [email protected].

VISITORS CENTER ASSOCIATE: DOMINION ENERGY GARDENFEST

Job Description

• Handles payment in exchange for admission fees and membership dues, classes and Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights tickets
• 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 Raisers 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 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 is 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 (GardenFest) 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