LEAD EXHIBITIONS LIGHTING ASSISTANT

Job Description

Do you enjoy bringing unforgettable experiences to life? Are you energized by hands-on work, solving technical challenges, and leading teams to create something extraordinary?

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is seeking a Lead Exhibitions Assistant to help create and deliver some of the Garden’s most memorable seasonal experiences, including our nationally recognized holiday light show. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys a mix of technical work, creative problem-solving, leadership, and working outdoors in a beautiful setting.

In this role, you’ll help transform the Garden into an immersive destination by leading the installation and removal of lighting displays, coordinating volunteers and staff, supporting special events, and ensuring every exhibit is safe, functional, and visually stunning.

This part-time position requires a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays to support Garden events and GardenFest.

Salary: $16 – $18/hour

About Us

Founded in 1984, Lewis Ginter Botanical 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. 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 ground 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.

Duties & Responsibilities

We’re looking for someone who is dependable, collaborative, and enjoys both technical work and creative execution.
Successful candidates will have:
• Experience with lighting installations, exhibitions, events, or similar technical productions.
• Knowledge of basic electrical systems, rigging practices, and worksite safety.
• Experience installing and operating lighting equipment and projection systems.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and volunteer leadership skills.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to changing priorities.
• Comfort working independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Basic computer proficiency; experience with Microsoft Office and design or production software is a plus.
• A valid, reliable means of transportation.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays, particularly during GardenFest.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical school training or an associate degree is preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Experience with lighting displays, exhibitions, live events, or similar installations preferred.
• Experience with electrical infrastructure is preferred.
• Experience in a botanical garden, museum, performing arts venue, or other cultural nonprofit is a plus.

Additional Information

Physical Requirements
This is an active, hands-on position requiring work both indoors and outdoors.
Applicants should be able to:
• Lift and move up to 50 pounds repeatedly.
• Work outdoors year-round in varying weather conditions.
• Climb ladders, work from elevated locations, including roofs and trees, and navigate uneven terrain.
• Walk throughout the Garden’s 82-acre campus.
• Stand, bend, kneel, reach, push, pull, and perform repetitive physical tasks throughout the workday.
• Work safely around visitors while maintaining a welcoming and professional presence.

This position is represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), AFL-CIO.

Application Instructions

View a complete job description at https://www.lewisginter.org/visit/about/employment/

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume to HR@lewisginter.org.