Director of Safety and Security; Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Job Listing:
Director of Safety and Security (Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)

(schedule based on visitation and events)

Date Posted:

February 24, 2026

Posting Expires:

When filled

L e wis Ginter Botanical Garden’s mission is to connect people through plants to improve communities.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, including the Lewis Ginter Nature Preserve, reveals the unity and integration of human and plant life, celebrates the fundamental significance of the natural world, and enriches communities through horticultural and educational excellence and innovative outreach activities.

Responsibility, Innovation, Integrity, Hospitality and Inspiration

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.

Reporting to the VP of Facilities, the Director of Safety and Security (DSS) develop, manage and implement all aspects of the Garden’s operational safety and security functions to ensure the health and safety of guests, staff, and volunteers. The DSS works collaboratively with staff to establish, review and maintain safety procedures to mitigate hazards and provide emergency support while ensuring compliance with applicable Garden policies and local, state and federal regulations.

The DSS is a working supervisory position responsible for the development of safety and security procedures, training, recruitment, and direction of support staff that ensure a culture of safety and security of all Garden areas and assets during daily programs, events, and exhibitions. The DSS oversees the integration of security systems, operating procedures, and technologies.

This position exemplifies our core value of hospitality and responsibility to ensure a world‑class guest experience for all and ensures all tasks are performed in alignment with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s core values and strategic plan.

• Develops and leads a variety of the Garden’s safety and security programs, protocols, procedures, and trainings to ensure regulatory compliance as mandated by local, state, and federal agencies.
  • Recommends, participates in the development of, and establishes Garden policy and procedures; establishes and implements short‑ and long‑range departmental goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures; monitors and evaluates program effectiveness, and effects changes required for improvements.
  • Oversees the management, implementation, and coordination of the safety program to reduce or eliminate occupational injuries, illnesses, deaths, and financial losses; develops accident‑prevention and loss‑control systems and programs for incorporation into operational policies of the Garden.
  • Plans and manages annual budgets for the organization and performs periodic cost and productivity analyses; plans and develops strategies.
  • Develops and implements ongoing Garden Safety Protocol training for staff to include lost children/adults, weather emergencies, power outages, and community safety concerns.
  • Inspects Garden facilities and projects to detect existing or potential security, accident, and health…