Mt. Cuba Center is seeking highly qualified instructors to teach classes at our botanical garden in Hockessin, DE. Classes can fall under one or more of the following categories: gardening, horticulture, landscape design, plant conservation, art, or wellness. Instructors with expertise in one of these specific fields and who teach with an ecological perspective are invited to apply online. These are contract positions.

The Education Assistant delivers and supports educational programs that promote the mission of Mt. Cuba Center. This position completes Division projects and provides administrative support as needed.

Essential Functions:

Support Education Programs

– Support the successful implementation of education programs by completing all administrative and coordination activities. This includes preparing materials/supplies, assisting with classroom and A/V setup and breakdown, and providing excellent customer service to participants.

– Provide administrative support including fielding incoming phone calls and assisting in program registration.

Deliver educational programs that support the mission of Mt. Cuba Center

– Implement education programs related to horticulture, conservation, art and wellness.

Coordinate continuing education credits for courses and programs

– Work with multiple professional licensing agencies to provide CEUs for select classes, maintain CEU records for students and professional associations.

Support Guest and Organizational Programs related to Education

– Provide knowledge and guidance to support guest and organizational initiatives related to educational programs.

– Lead, guide, and train employees, interns, and/or volunteers performing related work

Carry out other such duties as may be assigned or requested. Contribute to MCC activities as required. Actively participate as a member of Mt. Cuba Center’s community

Qualifications:

– Bachelor’s degree in education, horticulture, biological sciences or related field, and 2 years experience delivering or assisting with educational programs

– DOT Driving Certification must be obtained within 3 months of hire

– Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with staff, students, and the public

– Self-motivated, organized, attentive to details, and the ability to manage time and effectively function without close supervision

– Excellent writing and verbal communication skills are required

– Ability and willingness to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions

– Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn and adapt to various software and technology programs to complete work duties

– Physical requirements include the ability to lift 30 pounds, stand for extended periods of time, and walk over rugged terrain

Please note this is a part time, non exempt position working under 1,000 hours per year. A typical schedule will include working Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during normal business hours; however, interested candidates must have the ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays and special events as needed.

Having trouble applying? Please email careers@mtcubacenter.org for help.

The Assistant Manager of Interpretation develops and implements interpretive content at Mt. Cuba Center. He/she supervises Mt. Cuba Center’s Docents, takes a lead role in executing Mt. Cuba’s interpretive plan, and performs research in ecological gardening concepts and other areas specific to Mt. Cuba Center’s mission of inspiring an appreciation for the beauty and value of native plants and motivating conservation action.

Essential Functions

Develop & Implement Interpretive Content for Mt. Cuba Center

• Participate in organizational interpretive planning
• Create interpretive media such as signage, brochures and self guided tour content
• Develop interpretive programming for guided tours, special events, roving interpretation, and presentations
• Collaborate with key stakeholders in interpretative program development

Provide Training for Interpretive Content

• Train Guest Experience staff and volunteers in the effective delivery of interpretive content; Develop staff training materials

Interpretive Program Evaluation

• Evaluate the success of Mt. Cuba Center’s interpretive programming
• Continually refine interpretive products to best meet the mission of Mt. Cuba Center

Program & Project Administration

• Assist the planning and execution of department initiatives and budget in alignment with Mt. Cuba Center’s mission and goals, including effective policy and procedural development
• Work cooperatively with the management team on adopting and implementing organization-wide systems, and help guide and execute the strategic goals of the institution to support Mt. Cuba Center’s mission

Staff Leadership

• Recruit, lead, motivate and develop Mt. Cuba Center’s team of Docents so that they can effectively deliver interpretive content and successfully achieve their core objectives

Lead Guest and Organizational Programs related to Guest Experience

• Provide knowledge and guidance to support guest and organizational initiatives related to profession
• Lead, guide, and train employees, interns, and/or volunteers performing related work; including working in a supervisory capacity as needed
• Carry out other such duties as may be assigned or requested. Contribute to MCC activities as required. Actively participate as a member of Mt. Cuba Center’s community

Qualifications

•  Bachelor’s degree in Public Horticulture, Museum Studies, Plant Sciences, Environmental Education or a related field and 3-5 years of experience in creating original interpretive content, preferably in a public garden, museum or similar cultural institution; 1-3 years of supervisory experience preferred
•  Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and basic computer skills
•  Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills
•  Excellent presentation or training skills
•  Broad horticultural knowledge required with emphasis on plants native to the Eastern United States
•  Ability to plan, organize, and manage independent projects simultaneously with great attention to detail
•  Ability to effectively communicate with the staff and the public
•  Ability to organize, manage, and motivate employees, contractors, and others
•  Ability to multi-task and work effectively in a fast-paced environment
•  Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, holidays and special events as needed
•  This position requires limited physical work including frequent standing for extended periods of time, frequent walking up and down hills on uneven terrain, and occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling up to 30 pounds
•  DOT Driving Certification must be obtained within 3 months of hire as well as ABC certification to serve alcohol.

Please note this is a full time, exempt position.

Having trouble applying? Please email careers@mtcubacenter.org for help.

The Plant Records Assistant will support the Plant Recorder & Assistant Curator in all Plant Records activities. This will include entering and maintaining computer-based plant records, production of accession tags and identification labels, conducting periodic inventories, and assisting staff with Mt. Cuba Center’s living collection information. The Plant Records Assistant operates under the daily supervision of the Plant Recorder & Assistant Curator.

Essential Functions

Plant Records & Mapping

• Assist the Plant Recorder in completing mapping activities and operate mapping equipment
• Conduct periodic inventories of Mt Cuba Center’s living collection
• Assist in the production of accession tags and identification labels

Database Maintenance

• Enter and maintain computer-based plant records into database system

Support Guest and Organizational Programs related to Living Collections

• Provide knowledge and guidance to support guest and organizational initiatives related to profession
• Lead, guide, and train employees, interns, and/or volunteers performing related work
• Carry out other such duties as may be assigned or requested. Contribute to MCC activities as required. Actively participate as a member of Mt. Cuba Center’s community.

Qualifications 

• 1 year of experience in plant records, curatorial, or horticulture-related field
• General knowledge of plant identification, plant growth and cultural characteristics
• Familiarity with database maintenance and GIS software
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and current knowledge-sharing technologies
• Must possess a strong interest in native plants, shrubs, and trees, and naturalistic landscaping
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with the staff and the public
• Ability to learn and adapt to various software and technology programs to complete work duties
• Self-motivated, organized, attentive to details, and the ability to manage time and effectively function without close supervision
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, holidays and special events as needed
• Requires moderate physical work; Frequent standing, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, reaching, carrying, lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 30 pounds

Please note this is a part time, non exempt position working under 1,000 hours per year.

Having trouble applying? Please email careers@mtcubacenter.org for help.

The Seasonal Grounds Maintenance Assistant support the Grounds Team in the overall maintenance of Mt. Cuba Center’s landscape, including woody and herbaceous plantings, lawns, woods, garden features, paths and roadways.

What You’ll Do:

• Assist in maintaining the health and look of turf through mowing, fertilizing, watering, weed-eating, aerating, and applying compost and compost tea
• Assist in maintaining woody and herbaceous plantings through planting, weeding, pruning, mulching, and other horticultural activities
• Assist in maintaining roads, pathways, and parking areas through surface maintenance, renovations, and leaf, debris, and snow removal
• Support the Horticulture Department teams by assisting with the maintenance of trees, shrubs, and plants through pruning, planting, transplanting, fertilizing, watering, and weeding
• Assist the Grounds team in making regular repairs to maintain the fences, walls, garden furniture, drains, catch-basins, bridges, curbing, patios, terraces, courtyards, and other hardscape features
• Perform regular repair and servicing activities to maintain the good condition of tools and equipment

Qualifications:

• Ability to safely and effectively operate and maintain a wide range of hand tools, power tools, vehicles and small and large engine equipment
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
• Ability to learn and adapt to various software and technology programs to complete work duties
• Self-motivated, organized, attentive to details, and the ability to manage time and effectively function without close supervision
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, holidays and special events as needed

Physical Requirements:

• Requires strenuous physical work; Frequent standing, bending, twisting, stooping, climbing, lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects over 50 pounds.

Please note this is a part time, seasonal position working under 1,000 hours between the months of March and December. 

Having trouble applying? Please email careers@mtcubacenter.org for help.