PUBLIC SAFETY ASSOCIATE

The Garden celebrates the diversity of all people, just as we honor the diversity of plants and ecosystems in our world, with a focus on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility.

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 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.

Job Description

The Public Safety Specialist monitors and patrols the Garden campus, remaining visible to help deter security-related incidents and provide a welcoming presence for visitors and staff. Responsibilities include conducting routine patrols, responding to safety situations as needed, and furthering efforts to create a safe experience on the entire campus.

Responsibilities

• Provide shared safety services to project a security presence, including inspecting and providing incident response services, alarm calls, service calls, maintaining communication contact with appropriate personnel to report status or incidents, or to request additional assistance or response.
• Conduct regular and random surveillance patrols on foot and in motorized vehicles throughout the Garden campus, secures its facilities and perimeter to help deter unauthorized activity and identify potential concerns.
• Monitor visitor access and secure premises to prevent unauthorized entry, including opening and closing the Garden grounds and assigned areas during maintenance and emergencies.
• Prepare reports of observations, information, suspicious activities, and incidents.
• Assist and facilitate emergency response activities and first responders during any police, fire, or EMT activity.
• Manages and directs traffic, including load-in & load-out, service road access, and parking.
• Completes on-the-job training and relevant security training programs, including CPR/First Aid/AED, Fire Alarms, Fire extinguisher usage, water rescue, and Garden safety protocols.
• Cross-trains with other departments to support Garden needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

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 herself or himself 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 the supervisor.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Must be able to move throughout the 82-acre Garden property, as needed.
• Work hours vary according to Garden programming and operating hours and include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• 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 public in a safe and friendly manner.
• Must be comfortable working solo on patrols/rounds/events.
• Lift and carry up to 30 lbs. on an occasional basis.

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

Education and Experience

• A strong background in Public Safety or Security experience required.
• Other combinations of education/ experience appropriate to the job will be considered.

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