Job Listing: Exhibits & Programming Coordinator

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens - Richmond, VA

Closes - open until filled

Title - Exhibits & Programming Coordinator

Compensation - $15.00 - $20.00 / hour

Apply - To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to hr@lewisginter.org. 

Summary - The Exhibits and Programming Coordinator is responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of programmatic initiatives that invite, welcome, and celebrate individuals from diverse communities. This includes, but is not limited to, Garden-wide special events, indoor and outdoor exhibits, interpretive signage, and off-site programs. The Exhibits and Programming Coordinator will co create programming with the community, building external relationships and strengthening existing partnerships.

The successful candidate will be smart, intuitive, creative, resourceful, innovative, team-oriented, and forward thinking with a proven record of success in designing and managing events, projects, or programs. The position is full time (Category 1), and contributes to the advancement of the Garden’s educational mission and excellence in guest services. 

Job Responsibilities -

• Develops and implements programs and events that are mission appropriate, innovative, experiential, cost-effective and co-created with our diverse community partners.
• In collaboration with the Exhibitions Manager, researches, plans, and coordinates exhibits with local and regional artists.
• Serves on the cross-departmental Programming and Interpretation Committee, which is responsible for creating a three year Garden-wide plan for exhibitions, programs, and events.
• Assists Exhibition Manager with the installation and de-installation of Garden-wide exhibitions, including but not limited to, moving and handling art, coordinating staff and volunteer support, and installing exhibit components such as labels, sign holders and barricades.
• Coordinates with external partners, artists, and vendors, including negotiating and writing MOUs/agreements, processing purchase orders, and facilitating day-of details.
• Ensures the design, content, and production of interpretation-related materials for exhibits and programming including, but not limited to, written program descriptions, interpretive signage, blog posts, and promotional signage.
• With staff and volunteer support, coordinates and facilitates off-site programs and events with community partners.
• Collaborates with the Marketing department on promoting events and programs through social media platforms.
• Fosters teamwork and mentors staff and volunteers by modeling best practices alongside them. 

Qualifications -

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of informal education principles and developmentally appropriate practices for learners of all ages. • Demonstrated graphic design skills including signage design and development of interpretive material. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and group facilitation. • Must be able to initiate, build and sustain relationships with fellow staff, volunteers, and community partners. • Enthusiastic, energetic, quick-thinking, cheerful, courteous, capable, diplomatic, and solution oriented. • Well-organized and detail-oriented, able to work independently as well as in a team environment. • Technical proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, and Canva. • Access to a car on a daily basis and a valid state driver’s license or ability to transport self as needed. • Must be able to work varying hours, including evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays

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, families 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 security of their property, ensuring that all concerns are reported promptly.
• Must report all 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

• Ability to carry up to 40 lbs.
• Must be able to move throughout the 82-acre Garden property, as needed.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions including heat, cold, wind, and humidity.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crawl, reach, push, pull, lift, grasp, feel, and utilize repetitive motions for prolonged periods of time.
• Must be comfortable working in immediate proximity to the general public in a safe and friendly manner.
• 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

• BA or BS degree; a combination of education and equivalent experience may be considered.
• Prior experience in a botanical garden, museum, or cultural non-profit.
• A minimum of 3 years of successful experience in managing programs, projects, or special events.
• Demonstrated experience in reaching, welcoming, and including marginalized audiences in program development.
• Proficiency working with graphic design software, including but not limited to Adobe InDesign, Canva, and WordPress.
• Proficiency in conversational Spanish desirable. 

About Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens - 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.