Job Listing: Out of School Time Educator (Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)

OUT OF SCHOOL TIME EDUCATOR

YOUTH AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

Garden Overview

Mission

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s mission is connecting 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

Under the supervision of the Out of School Learning Manager, the Out of School Time (OST) Educator provides educational leadership for multiple nature-based OST programs, including after-school, summer camps, and Scouts. The role develops curriculum, lesson plans, and educational materials that foster curiosity and stewardship through exploration and structured activities. The OST Educator collaborates with other program educators, presenting nature-based programs to learners of all ages and abilities.

This position works a Tuesday – Saturday schedule and “after school” hours, typically until 6pm. Additionally, since up to 50% of the work of this position occurs at partner sites around Greater Richmond, a reliable personal vehicle is necessary (mileage will be reimbursed).

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead developmentally appropriate, nature-based lessons and activities for K-5 after-school, summer camps, and Scout programs.  
• Ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment at all times.
• Develop, plan, and implement curriculum and lesson plans.
• Serve as a point of contact for school and community program leaders, supporting communication, coordination, and overall program success.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain program materials and supplies.
• Assist with program setup, cleanup, and care of learning spaces.
• Support fellow educators in the delivery of programs, assisting with instruction, group management, and activity facilitation as needed.
• Coordinate and lead drop-in programs, including setup, facilitation, and participant engagement
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports.
• Assist in program evaluation and development.
• Adhere to and uphold all youth education policies and protocols.
• Support special events, team projects, and horticultural maintenance as assigned.
• Participate in departmental meetings, projects, and training.
• May lead, guide, and train staff/student employees, interns, and/or volunteers performing related work.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to engage and inspire youth through hands-on, experiential environmental learning.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Ability to design, prepare, deliver, and modify course curriculum and associated educational aids.
• Ability to productively switch between multiple tasks/types of work within a single day.
• Communicates effectively with diverse ages, backgrounds and all abilities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Adaptable, proactive, and solution-oriented approach.
• Able to initiate, build and sustain relationships with fellow staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct administrative work, such as managing program registration.
• Skill in using personal computers and related software applications.
• Basic gardening/plant knowledge or ability to learn.
• Able to work evenings, weekends, occasional 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 themselves 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

• Follows a Tuesday through Saturday work schedule.
• Ability to carry up to 30 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 comfortable working in immediate proximity to the general public in a safe and friendly manner.
• Must have independent transportation and ability to visit offsite partners throughout the workday.

• Must be available to work evenings, weekends, occasional holidays, and special events like GardenFest, ensuring coverage for Horticulture outside the traditional work week/day

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

• Associate's degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred.  Equivalent experience may be substituted for education.
• 1-2 years of experience leading programming for youth in an informal learning context.
• Experience with summer camp or afterschool programming preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certification a plus, or willingness to be certified.

Please note: This position is represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO. To discuss the specific needs of your group, please reach out to 804-359-4058.

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