Job Listing: Plant Records Specialist (Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)

Position: Plant Records Specialist

Direct Supervisor: Living Collections Manager

Department: Horticulture

Location: Richmond, VA

Level/Salary Range: $17-24/hour

Contact: hr@lewisginter.org

Travel Required: N/A

Exempt/Non-exempt: Non-exempt

Position Type: Full Time; occasional weekends and holidays

Posting Expires: Until Filled

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 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 (the 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 (the 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 Plant Records Specialist supports the Living Collections Manager in documenting, organizing, and mapping the Garden’s living collections. This position focuses on accurate record-keeping, data entry, and integration of GIS technology into plant collections management.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience with ArcGIS, a working knowledge of plant records management, and a willingness to learn and adapt to new software platforms and tools.

This new position will begin in December 2025.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the research and verification of plant names using botanical references. Update taxon information in the database as needed
• Assist in the documentation and accessioning of perennial plant material. Enter and update plant records in IrisBG, including accession data and invoices
• Support the Garden’s Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping toolbox by creating apps, new layers, and custom maps as needed. Work with the Living Collections Manager to update maps regularly
• Assist in printing of plant accession tags and display labels. Willingness to operate tag embosser and label engraver machines and perform basic mechanical maintenance on equipment
• Carry out field inventories of plant material as needed
• Support volunteers and other staff in plant records activities as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Living Collections Manager
• Occasional weekend and holiday

Skills and Abilities

• Experience using ArcGIS or other mapping systems
• Familiarity with IrisBG collections management software or another collections management software
• A working understanding of horticultural taxonomy, as well as a solid foundation in the scientific and common names for a variety of plant material
• Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to learn new tools and processes
• Basic mechanical aptitude for maintaining small equipment
• Organizational mindset with a detail-oriented focus on accuracy in administrative work
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Willingness to work with plant records volunteers
• The ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• A willingness to interact with the public on an informal basis by answering questions, providing directions, etc.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 70% of the time.
• Must be able to constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a computer, label maker, printer, scanner, copy machine, and camera.
• Must possess the ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Must be able to occasionally lift 25 pounds.
• Must be able to occasionally work out-of-doors in Central Virginia seasonal extremes.
• Occasional weekend, evenings, and holiday hours may be required.

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

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 support and embody the vision, mission, core values, aspirations, and goals of the Garden’s strategic plan
• Must support, nurture, and embrace principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA)
• Must conduct herself or himself and perform all duties in a manner consistent with a public garden serving multigenerational, multicultural, and multifaceted 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 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 the Chief Operating Officer
• Must ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations
• Must perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Education and Experience

• B.S. in Horticulture, Botany, Environmental Science, Plant Science, GIS, or related field, or equivalent experience
• One years’ professional experience working with GIS applications, specifically Esri solutions (ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, Enterprise, and ArcGIS Online)
• Proficiency with IrisBG Collections Management Software or other plant records software and Microsoft Office
• Experience in a botanical garden, arboretum, or similar setting preferred
• Possession of a valid driver's license
• Other combinations of education /experience appropriate to the job will be considered

Please note: This position is represented by 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 cover letter and resume to hr@lewisginter.org