Job Listing: Director of Safety and Security (Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)

DIRECTOR OF SAFETY AND SECURITY

Garden Overview

Mission

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

Vision

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, including the Lewis Ginter Nature Preserve, 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 non-profit 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 ground 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

Reporting to the VP of Facilities, the Director of Safety and Security (DSS) develop, manages and implements all aspects of the Garden’s operational safety and security functions to ensure the health and safety of guests, staff, and volunteers. The DSS works collaboratively with staff to establish, review and maintain safety procedures to mitigate hazards and provide emergency support while ensuring compliance with applicable Garden policies and local, state and federal regulations.  The DSS is a working supervisory position responsible for the development of safety and security procedures, training, recruitment, and direction of support staff that ensure a culture of safety and security of all Garden areas and assets during daily programs, events, and exhibitions. The DSS oversees the integration of security systems, operating procedures, and technologies. 

This position exemplifies our core value of hospitality and responsibility to ensure a world-class guest experience for all and ensures all tasks are performed in alignment with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s\core values and strategic plan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops and leads a variety of the Garden’s safety and security programs, protocols, procedures, and trainings to ensure regulatory compliance as mandated by local, state, and federal agencies.
  • Recommends, participates in the development of, and establishes Garden policy and procedures; establishes and implements short- and long-range departmental goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures; monitors and evaluates program effectiveness, and effects changes required for improvements.
  • Oversees the management, implementation, and coordination of the safety program to reduce or eliminate occupational injuries, illnesses, deaths, and financial losses; develops accident-prevention and loss-control systems and programs for incorporation into operational policies of the Garden.
  • Plans and manages annual budgets for the organization and performs periodic cost and productivity analyses; plans and develops strategies.
  • Develops and implements ongoing Garden Safety Protocol training for staff to include lost children/adults, weather emergencies, power outages, and community safety concerns.
  • Inspects Garden facilities and projects to detect existing or potential security, accident, and health hazards, determine corrective or preventative measures where indicated, and follow up to ensure measures have been implemented.
  • Handles all OSHA-related issues such as inspections, yearly reports, job site posters, citations, hearings, etc. Performs field safety audits to ensure compliance with all OSHA, State, Local, and company safety rules and regulations.
  • Coordinates completion of all accident/injury/incident reporting and performs investigations to determine cause and possible preventive measures for future work of a similar nature. Further investigates all injury claims to ensure the company is protected from fraudulent worker compensation claims.
  • Leads committees to identify, assess, and address public safety, occupational safety or security concerns and issues.
  • Serves as the liaison to local and state agencies to provide current safety communications, training, and facilitate tabletop exercises for staff and volunteers
  • Provides leadership and coordination in the planning, development, implementation, and operation of campus security systems, alarms, access control, video and related platforms.
  • Supervises emergencies in coordination with appropriate staff; reports to the location of the incident, dispatches staff to assist in directing emergency vehicles, etc., and ensures all reports/documents of incidents are complete and communicated to the proper departments.
• Oversees all facets of the daily operation of the Public Safety Department.  
  • Oversees the supervision of assigned personnel, which includes hiring, work allocation, training, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance.
  • Cultivates and expands a sense of purpose and connection of the Public Safety team to the Garden mission and activities; aligns work with organizational goals, and team members are demonstrating the Garden's core values at all times.
  • Solicits and manages outsourced safety and security service contracts and providers.
  • Attends meetings to ensure a thorough understanding of events, visitation, and hours of planned activity on campus and transition needs from day operations to evening events.
  • Ensures proper safety/security coverage of the PS team through communications with Garden staff/contracted service providers.
• Communicates openly and has a visible presence for all staff and guests during all Garden activities.
  • Maintains a comprehensive understanding of all daily activities, seasonal and annual programs, and events.
  • Compiles safety tracking data report for management. Produces other safety reports as needed.
  • Walks the Garden campus, engages guests, staff, students, volunteers, food service contractor, staying in close proximity to activities, ensuring safety measures are in place, and teams are prepared for emergencies.
  • Monitors/reports inclement weather conditions that may affect the safety of guests, staff and v0lunteers and participates with staff for any preparation needs or post event safety assessment and clean up needs.
  • Stay knowledgeable of and coordinates with Garden Leadership in the execution of the Gardens Disaster Preparedness Plan.
• Manages Garden parking, security and closure.
  • Plans and coordinates traffic, ensuring smooth operations within logistics and transportation system.
  • Oversees visitor access and security of premises to prevent unauthorized entry, including opening and closing the Garden grounds and assigned areas during maintenance and emergencies.
• Other duties as assigned.

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 report incidents immediately and ultimately in writing to supervisor(s) and to the HR Manager.
• Must ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Must perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Supports and embraces our diversity and inclusion policy to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive culture where the contributions of all community members are valued, respected and appreciated.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.
• Considerable physical effort. Requires heavy lifting, handling, pushing or moving objects up to 30 lbs.
• Must be able to climb and work from ladders.
• Must be able to move throughout the 82-acre Garden property, as needed.
• Must be able to walk or stand for 2-3 hour periods.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and humidity.
• This position requires familiarity with all public areas of the 82-acre Garden property.
• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.

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

• Bachelor's degree or 5 years of equivalent progressive experience in the public in a customer service capacity.
• 2+ years’ experience in a safety management role.
• A strong background in Public Safety and OSHA experience is required.

• Previous managerial and public safety training experience required.
• Possesses a valid driver’s license required to operate Garden vehicles.
• OSHA-10 and/or OSHA 30-Hour training completion is a plus.
• CSM-Certified Safety Manager or PSP - Physical Security Professional is a plus.
• Experience and demonstrated sensitivity in working with people of various ethnic and economic backgrounds on staff and within our community.
• Conversational Spanish preferred.
• Other combinations of education/experience appropriate to the role. 

Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to develop, implement, and enforce safety programs and protocols.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment within a complex organizational structure.
• Skill in developing and examining operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing strategies and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local safety regulations, protocols, and/or procedures.
• Skill in developing accident-prevention and loss-control systems.
• Ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures.
• Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management.
• Skill in developing and leading safety and security trainings; CPR/First Aid/AED, Fire Alarms, Safety Protoc0l, etc.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with outstanding communicati0ns (written and verbal).
• Excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• Highly responsible and reliable with a professional presentation.
• Must be available to work evenings, weekends, occasional holidays and special events like GardenFest, ensuring coverage outside the traditional work week/day

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