The Butterfly Educator creates engaging learning experiences for Garden guests while supporting the daily operation of the butterfly exhibit. This position connects visitors with live butterflies, plants, and educational resources while helping maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming exhibit.

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 educational 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.

– Engage guests through informal programs and one-on-one conversations about butterflies, pollinators, habitats, adaptations, and life cycles.
– Welcome guests of all ages and abilities and explain and enforce exhibit guidelines.
– Monitor exhibit entrances and exits to support USDA requirements.
– Assist with butterfly care, safe handling, releases, and emergence records.
– Maintain sanitation and follow exhibit operating procedures.
– Follow USDA APHIS PPQ permit requirements and containment protocols.
– Communicate with and support exhibit volunteers.
– Perform other duties as assigned.

– Education or experience in education, environmental science, biology, entomology, horticulture, museum studies, or a related field.
– Experience in informal education or customer service preferred.
– Strong communication skills and ability to work with diverse audiences.
– Comfortable handling insects.
– Reliable, organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented.
– Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
– Basic computer and Microsoft Office skills.
– Conversational Spanish is a plus.
– Availability for weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events, including GardenFest.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds intermittently and work in high temperatures and humidity. Must be able to bend, squat, kneel, stand, and walk for extended periods.

Union Position: 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