DATE ENTERED: June 19, 2024
POSITION: Archivist
LOCATION: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, VA
APPLY BY: Open until filled

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 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 Archivist is responsible for appraising, acquiring, accessioning, arranging, describing, cataloging, preserving, and maintaining permanent records and historically valuable documents, maps, books, artwork and historical objects related to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. The Archivist manages the access to, professional care, daily management, and maintenance of the Library’s archives including its organization, preservation, and storage, and serves as the Institutional Records Manager. This position is located within the Lora M. Robins Library and will provide reference and research assistance to patrons and staff. The Archivist refines, implements, and upholds archival policies and procedures with regard to processing, documenting and accessing archival collections, and assists with training of staff and programming with regard to this work.

We are committed to elevating diverse backgrounds and experiences that aren’t currently represented on our team. We value the opportunity to work with individuals from different cultures and understand that like diverse ecosystems, diverse workplaces are needed for success. We encourage candidates from underrepresented identities and experiences to apply.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates and coordinates the re-housing and stabilization of archives.
• Responsible for the appraisal, arrangement, and description of archival collections according to recognized archives standards (DACS, EAD, Dublin Core)
• Ensures accurate and up-to-date inventories and reconciliation of archives and records, including spot check inventories.
• Coordinates the move of archives into new or improved storage conditions.
• Works with Librarian in preparation of grant proposals, reports, and other associated documents.
• Collaborates cross-departmentally for implementation of Archives grant awards and to facilitate active work with plant records, garden maps and site plans.
• Manages record keeping for archives, art/artifacts, herbarium, and photo collections.  Maintains records of and prioritizes processing backlog. 
• Provides reference services to Library and archives guests. Provides public tours and assists with other programs.
• Trains, coaches, and mentors archives volunteers, interns, and work study students.
• Independently, and with Garden staff, creates botanical and horticultural exhibits and displays that relate to Library collections.
• Manages the receipt and disposition of gift materials.
• Develops and maintains procedural manuals for volunteers and the Librarian’s handbook.
• Keeps statistics on activity, usage, collection size/changes, and expenses.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of archives preservation requirements, storage needs, and registration procedures for archives.
• Up-to-date knowledge of professional standards and trends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and group facilitation.
• Personable, diplomatic, and solution-oriented.
• Well-organized and detail-oriented, able to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Technical proficiency with computers, Microsoft software programs, and databases; experience with Archives Space preferred.
• Must be prepared to work occasional weekends, evenings, and holidays.

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 supervisor.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• The Archivist is provided an indoor computer work station.
• The position requires familiarity with all public areas of the 82-acre Garden property.
• The position requires frequent lifting, moving of boxes and materials up to 30 lbs.
• Note: Duties described above, other duties and physical demands have been identified as essential functions as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Education and Experience

• Preferred: Master’s degree in library science, art/archives management, history, or related field of study.
• Required: Records Management experience or previous position in special collections, museum or academic libraries; archival certification.
• Experience with professional archives management software and environmental monitoring applications.  Experience with Archives Space preferred.
• Experience working with or supervising volunteers, interns, and/or work study students.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].