Director of Adult Learning at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Job Title: Director of Adult Learning

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Richmond, VA

Salary: $45,000 – $60,000

Description

The Director of Adult Learning develops initiatives and strategies to expand how adult learners engage with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden as a learning, well-being, and connectivity site. This individual leads the development and implementation of an innovative year-round schedule of formal and informal programs, including classes, workshops, symposia, tours, events, and experiences. They are responsible for creating professional and personal growth opportunities grounded in the natural world, using in-person, virtual, and hybrid platforms. They will engage new audiences, make offerings accessible, and intentionally diversify our instructors. They will collaborate with the community to co-create onsite and offsite programming.

This position coordinates logistics of adult learning; serves as key liaison with related plant societies and professional organizations; stays informed of adult learning trends and connected with local and regional resources; develops and manages the budget for Adult Learning; and leads the Adult Learning team consisting of staff, contract instructors, interns, and volunteers.

Responsibilities

Course Development

  • Stays current on developments in adult learning best practices, participates in regional and national conferences, and actively engages with the public garden and museum education communities.
  • Ensures accessible offerings by balancing in-person, virtual, and hybrid platforms; continues to grow offerings outside of the traditional workday/work week.
  • Intentionally diversifies contract instructors, focusing on relevant topics and regional expertise.
  • Collaborates with contract instructors on course curriculum and learning objectives; develops an evaluation framework for ensuring that learning objectives and engagement goals are met.                                 

Administration

  • Oversees the development and implementation of the year-round calendar of mission-related classes, workshops, professional symposia, certificate programs, guided tours, special events, and informal activities for adult learners.
  • Develops the memorandum of understandings with allied plant organizations to coordinate calendar dates, facilities, and logistical plans for plant shows and sales.
  • Manages, coordinates, and oversees program logistics.
  • Hires, trains, mentors, and evaluates department staff, contract instructors and adult learning programs; oversees the management of volunteer tour guides; establishes training protocols; nurtures a positive and motivating relationship with the team.
  • Collaborates with the Marketing and Advancement teams to promote Adult Learning initiatives and secure funding support.
  • Creates the budget for Adult Learning, reviews budget performance, and makes appropriate course corrections; develops impactful systems for tracking and reporting on performance of programs related to mission, attendance, impact, and financial goals.

Innovation

  • Engages with the local community to build partnerships, discover new talent, and explore relevant topics.
  • Introduces new approaches, formats, and settings for adult learning experiences.
  • Identifies new audiences and develops strategies for connecting with and engaging diverse communities.

Skills and Abilities

  • Must be a self-directed, creative, and innovative thinker.
  • Strong interpersonal, management, written, analytical and verbal communication skills are required; communicates effectively with diverse ages, backgrounds and all abilities.
  • Personable, diplomatic, adaptable, and solution-oriented.
  • Well-organized and detail-oriented.
  • Technical proficiency with computers, databases, Microsoft software programs, and social media platforms; comfort with learning new systems and digital tools.
  • Ability to productively switch between multiple tasks/types of work within a single day.
  • Ability to handle day-to-day operations while also planning months ahead.
  • Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment; must be able to initiate, build and sustain relationships with fellow staff, volunteers, and community partners.
  • Proficiency in conversational Spanish desirable.
  • Must be prepared to work evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays, ensuring coverage for adult learning programs outside of the traditional work day.

 

Requirements

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.
  • Have proof of a COVID-19 vaccine.                                                     

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

  • The Director of Adult Learning is provided an indoor computer work station.
  • The position requires familiarity with all public areas of the 82-acre Garden property.
  • 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

  • Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, environmental sciences, botany, biology, agriculture, education, museum studies, or in adult education curriculum development is required; comparable professional experience will be considered.
  • A demonstrated understanding of the design and delivery of high-quality, interactive educational programming for adults is required.
  • Prior experience in a botanical garden or museum setting is preferred.

Apply via AAM