Lead Exhibition Lighting Assistant

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 visitors to the Garden each year. 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.

Do you enjoy building memorable experiences, working outdoors, and bringing creative displays to life? Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is looking for a Lead Exhibition Lighting Assistant
to help install and support our seasonal exhibitions, with a primary focus on Garden Fest
, our award-winning holiday light show.

This hands-on part-time position leads the installation and removal of lighting displays, coordinates volunteers and staff, supports special events, and helps ensure every exhibit is safe, functional, and visually exceptional.

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.

Salary: $16-18 per hour

As the Lead Exhibition Lighting Assistant, you will:

• Lead the installation, maintenance, and removal of seasonal exhibitions with a primary focus on the Garden's annual holiday light show.
• Assist with planning and implementing lighting and audiovisual elements for Garden events.
• Coordinate and supervise staff and volunteers during installation and de-installation projects.
• Install, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain lighting equipment, electrical infrastructure, and display components.
• Conduct electrical testing and ensure all work meets applicable safety standards and Garden policies.
• Maintain inventories of lighting, electrical, and audiovisual equipment and recommend new purchases when needed.
• Create and maintain documentation, lighting plans, equipment records, and exhibition information.
• Coordinate the installation of decorative elements such as garlands, wreaths, and seasonal displays.
• Support event operations throughout the run of the holiday light show, including logistical, operational, and custodial needs.
• Participate in production meetings and collaborate across multiple Garden departments to ensure successful events.
• Train and mentor junior technicians, volunteers, and seasonal staff.
• Assist with load-in, load-out, storage, organization, and inventory of exhibition materials.
• Perform other duties that support the Garden's exhibitions and special events.

We're looking for someone who is dependable, collaborative, and enjoys both technical work and creative execution. Successful candidates will have:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical training is preferred.
• Experience with lighting displays, exhibitions, events, or technical production.
• Knowledge of basic electrical systems and safe work practices.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions and at heights, including ladders and lifts.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform physically active work, like climbing ladders, working from elevated locations, and standing, bending, kneeling, pulling, pushing, and performing repetitive physical tasks.
• Flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays.
• Experience in a botanical garden, museum, entertainment venue, or cultural nonprofit is a plus.

• 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.

At Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, you'll be part of a team dedicated to connecting people through plants, nature, education, and…