FACILITY EVENTS STAFF ASSISTANT

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, established in 1984, is a renowned nonprofit botanical garden located in Richmond, Virginia’s Lakeside neighborhood. Spanning 82 acres, the Garden boasts a rich diversity of plant life with 5,500 unique taxa across 15 distinct outdoor gardens, complemented by four lakes and 11 major buildings including a conservatory and greenhouse. Additionally, it manages an 80-acre branch site known as the Lewis Ginter Nature Reserve. This vibrant garden draws more than 400,000 visitors annually and engages over 17,000 students in its innovative educational programs, making it a leading botanical destination recognized for horticultural and educational excellence in North America.

The Garden thrives on a mission to connect people to plants by inspiring communities to explore and conserve nature. Focused on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, it cultivates meaningful experiences that deepen each person’s relationship with the natural world. The values the Garden upholds include responsibility, innovation, integrity, hospitality, and inspiration, supporting a culture where all community members feel respected and valued.

The Facility Events Staff Assistant role is a part-time position at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden that plays a pivotal role in supporting the smooth execution of over 300 events annually. These events range from corporate and nonprofit gatherings to private weddings and other celebrations hosted across 12 different venues and garden spaces. Earning $15 per hour and requiring a minimum commitment of 10 hours per month, this role demands flexibility with availability during evenings, early mornings, and weekends based on event scheduling.

As a Facility Events Staff Assistant, you will serve as a key representative of the Garden, ensuring exemplary hospitality and customer service toward all guests and clients. This position involves coordinating venue readiness, assisting with event setups, supporting food and beverage providers, and providing direct assistance for both general events and specialized wedding ceremonies and receptions. You act as a liaison between clients, vendors, staff, and guests, helping with event signage, audio-visual setups, guest parking, and navigating multiple simultaneous events within the Garden grounds. This role requires strong communication skills, attentiveness to detail, the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, and a professional and friendly demeanor.

Physical demands include the ability to lift up to 20 pounds, walk quickly between venues, and work outdoors in various seasonal conditions. The position also emphasizes collaboration with other departments such as visitor services, operations, and catering to maintain a seamless event experience. This non-exempt position supports the Garden’s mission by ensuring every event is welcoming and well-coordinated, contributing directly to the Garden’s educational and conservation goals while maintaining a safe, inclusive atmosphere for visitors and staff alike.