Job Listing: Director of Facilities (Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)

Director of Facilities

Garden Overview

Mission 

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s mission is connecting people through plants to improve communities.

Vision

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, including the Lewis Ginter Nature Reserve, reveals the unity and integration of human and plant life, celebrates the fundamental significance of the natural world, and enriches communities through horticultural and educational excellence and innovative outreach activities.

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.

Department Overview

The Facilities Department includes maintenance, operations, custodial, public safety, and information technology staff and bears primary responsibility for buildings, equipment, infrastructure, and related operating systems.    This work requires a high level of cooperation with all other departments across the organization.

Job Description

The Director of Facilities oversees and provides the facility maintenance and repair operations for the Garden’s building and grounds infrastructure for a 90-acre garden.  Reporting to the VP of Facilities, the role directs the activities of facilities staff and volunteers, ensuring the timely and accurate delivery of services, including preventive and predictive maintenance, planned system overhauls, and on-call repair services. Coordinates campus disaster recovery and restoration. Facilitates the implementation of building systems repair and replacement solutions, using the professional services of contractors. 

Responsibilities

1. Direct and coordinate the activities of staff, volunteers, and service contractors in the provision of facility maintenance and repair services, carried out campus-wide; ensures Garden and industry standards and compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines.
2. Inspect, repair, or oversee resolution of routine and complex maintenance problems, such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, structural problems, basic mechanical repair, carpentry, facilities systems, or other equipment malfunctions.
3. Implement and direct a campus-wide preventive, predictive, and planned facilities maintenance program; use the service request/work order system to prioritize requests for service and support issued by other Garden departments. Evaluate routine practices and procedures to improve efficiency, collaboration, and quality of service.
4. Solicit proposals/quotes from contractors and service providers for special repair or modernization initiatives.  Evaluate proposals and make recommendations for contractor selection.  Coordinate projects through completion.
5. Operate and monitor building automation systems (BAS) and greenhouse controls
6. Coordinate exhibitions, build and renovate projects, and monitor work to control schedule, budget, and quality results.
7. Manage maintenance and repair of Garden’s vehicle fleet (utility carts, road vehicles, tractor)
8. Assist V.P. Facilities in management of departmental budget – monitoring expenses and forecasting for future budget periods.
9. Interact with Garden administrators, managers, and other customers across campus; advises and counsels customers on products and services to enhance building performance and customer satisfaction.

1. Ensure proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies; promote continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.
2. Supervise personnel, including hiring, scheduling, firing, performance evaluation, training, work allocation, and problem resolution.
3. Implement shop-specific safety training programs and other ongoing training programs to ensure workforce compliance with OSHA job safety requirements and trades licensing.

13. Develop and implement policies and procedures that support departmental and Garden goals and objectives and are consistent with overall policies, ensuring efficiency and safety.

4. Oversee and coordinate routine facilities maintenance and disaster recovery activities for the campus, to include snow removal, post damage assessment, and project management responsibility for restoration.

15. Ensures proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies; promotes continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.
16. Ensure adequate stocks and serviceability of necessary maintenance supplies and equipment; purchase materials, supplies, and/or equipment as appropriate and within budget.

5. Develops and implements systems and processes to establish and maintain records for the operation.

18. Provide support for special events and programming as needed, which may be outside of the regular work schedule.

6. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong supervisory skills and proven successful management background.
• Skill in the use of computers, preferably in a PC, Windows-based operating environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Strong project management and time management skills. Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with others and across teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects of varied size and complexity.
• Strong ability to read and understand architectural and engineering drawings.
• Knowledge of standard construction practices and project management.
• Mechanical aptitude and proficiency with standard hand and power tools.
• Knowledge of construction and service contract documents and specifications.
• Knowledge of all federal, state, and local codes and ordinances pertinent to facilities planning, design, construction, and maintenance. 

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 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

• Moderate to considerable physical activity; requires handling of objects up to 40 pounds,
• Prolonged daily standing or walking for extended periods, climbing ladders, bending and squatting, crawling in tight spaces, and the use of protective equipment.
• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.
• Work involves exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• Must be comfortable working using ladders, lifts, scaffolding, and similar safety equipment.

• Position may require work during overnight, weekend, or holiday periods for emergency response.
• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to the general public in a safe and friendly manner.
• The position requires familiarity with all public areas of the 90-acre Garden property and the ability to move regularly throughout the Garden campus.

Note: Duties described above, other duties, and physical demands have been identified as essential functions as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Education and Experience

• Minimum 3 – 5 years’ experience as in facilities management, or related fields such as construction or engineering required.

• High school diploma or GED required, bachelor’s in construction, engineering or facilities management degree preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Operating experience and familiarity with greenhouse controls and building automation systems is desirable
• Work experience in a cultural non-profit, educational institution, or hospitality venue is preferred.
• Familiarity with operation of ornamental fountains, water features, and swimming pool equipment is desired.  Certified Pool Operator (CPO) license is desirable, or willingness to seek license within first six months of hire.
• Proficiency in conversational Spanish preferred.

Please submit cover letter, resume, and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Job Application to hr@lewisginter.org