Intern Listing: Human Resources Intern (Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)

Human Resources Intern

FINANCE – HUMAN RESOURCES

Garden Overview

Mission

We connect people to plants by inspiring communities to explore and conserve nature.

Vision

We are a Virginia garden of international significance leading in horticultural and educational excellence. We cultivate experiences that enhance each person’s relationship with the natural world.

Values

Responsibility, Innovation, Integrity, Hospitality and Inspiration

Founded in 1984, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a nonprofit garden located in Richmond, Virginia’s Lakeside neighborhood. The Garden encompasses 82 acres, four lakes, 5,500 unique taxa of plants within 15 distinct outdoor gardens, 11 major buildings including a conservatory and greenhouse, plus an 80-acre branch site, the Lewis Ginter Nature Reserve. Annually, Lewis Ginter engages over 17,000 students in innovative and exciting education programs. This cadre of identified learners is just a fraction of the more than 400,000 annual visitors to the Garden. In recent years, the Garden has been honored with inclusion in several top ten lists for botanical gardens in North America.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin in the hiring, retention, or promotion of employees. We support the diversity and inclusion policy adopted by The American Public Gardens Association: to create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive culture where the contributions of all community members are valued, respected, and appreciated.

Job Description

The HR Intern will support the Human Resources team across a wide range of projects and daily operations. This role is ideal for someone curious, organized, and eager to learn how HR functions inside a dynamic workplace. The intern will gain hands-on experience in HR communications, process documentation, recruiting, training design, and responding to employee and HR team inquiries. In addition, all interns at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden take part in regular work-based learning reflection throughout the internship experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist in drafting, editing, and distributing internal HR communications, ensuring messages are clear, consistent, and aligned with organizational tone and goals.
• Help document HR processes, workflows, and standard operating procedures to support efficiency, clarity, and compliance.
• Participate in the recruitment process by posting job openings, screening resumes, coordinating interviews, and communicating with candidates.
• Contribute to the design and organization of training materials, onboarding resources, and employee development programs.
• Respond to routine HR questions from employees and assist HR team members with day-to-day tasks, ensuring timely and professional communication.
• Support various HR initiatives and special projects as assigned, offering research, coordination, and administrative support.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Understanding of human resource principles, practices, and procedures.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Ability to quickly learn human resource information systems (HRIS) and similar computer applications.
• Able to work varied hours outside the traditional work week, including weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events like GardenFest.
• Proficiency in conversational Spanish a plus.

Each employee of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

• Must comply with provisions of the current Employee Handbook, all published personnel policies and the requirements of their individual job descriptions.
• Must conduct herself or himself and perform all duties in a manner consistent with a public garden serving multigenerational and multicultural individuals and families, and in accordance with directed practices and procedures.
• Must be aware of surroundings and vigilant to threats to the safety of visitors, volunteers, and staff or to the security of their property, ensuring that all concerns are reported promptly.
• Must report all mishaps, injuries, and incidents immediately and ultimately in writing to supervisor(s) and to Human Resources.
• Must ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Must perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Note: Duties described above, other duties, and physical demands have been identified as essential.

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate or graduate student in human resources, business, or a related field.
• Experience with customer service, in either a paid or volunteer position, or in a context outside traditional employment.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with fellow staff and volunteers.
• Other combinations of education/experience appropriate to the job will be considered.  

Please submit a cover letter and resume to hr@lewisginter.org