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.

Mt. Cuba Center is a botanical garden in the rolling hills of Hockessin, Delaware, with collections focused on plants of the eastern temperate forest, particularly the Appalachian Piedmont.  Mt. Cuba Center’s founders, Lammot and Pamela Copeland, were avid gardeners who’s ambition was that their Brandywine Valley estate would become a public garden that inspires an appreciation for native plants and healthy ecosystems and motivates conservation action by catalyzing community engagement.

“I want this to be a place where people will learn to appreciate our native plants and to see how these plants can enrich their lives so that they, in turn, will become conservators of our natural habitats.”                                  

-Mrs. Lammot du Pont Copeland

Comprising 1,083 acres, Mt. Cuba Center features formal estate gardens, exquisite, naturalistic woodland gardens, and over 1,000 acres of natural lands managed to promote diverse habitats for plants and wildlife.  Mt. Cuba Center is intent on growing its audience and impact in conserving regional biodiversity.  A master plan was completed in 2018, led by landscape architects Nelson, Byrd, Woltz, and Beyer, Blinder Belle architects, to envision how Mt. Cuba will continue to enhance its capacity to inspire and motivate conservation action.

Position Summary:

The Director of Horticulture leads and oversees all of Mt. Cuba Center’s horticultural objectives and is responsible for concept development, design, project management, plant selection, planting, and maintenance within Mt. Cuba Center’s gardens and grounds. He/she works collaboratively with the senior leadership team to lead the organization in carrying out the strategic goals and founding intention of Mt. Cuba Center.  The position requires familiarity and proficiency gardening with plants native to the eastern United States; strong garden design skills, particularly in naturalistic settings; and qualities of leadership and vision to play an active role in realizing Mt. Cuba Center’s ambition to achieve and promote “gardening on a higher level.”

Essential Duties:

Horticultural & Landscape Oversight

Direct and oversee all horticultural activities inclusive of garden design, plant selection and installation, tree care, integrated pest management, chemical application, turf care, natural lands management, and horticultural landscape care and maintenance. Develop and implement standards of care for Mt. Cuba Center’s gardens to maintain quality and integrity and ensure a remarkable guest experience.

Horticultural Research and Project Management 

Oversee contracts and project management of vendors utilized to carry out garden modifications, renovations, maintenance, and care. Collaborate with staff, universities, organizations, and others to engage in conservation and research initiatives related to horticulture.

Staff Leadership

Responsible for overseeing a team of 25+ staff members. Recruit, lead, motivate and develop employees who can successfully collaborate with all internal and external constituencies to help achieve the core objectives,  inclusive of making all personnel action decisions.

Program & Project Administration

Oversee the envisioning, development, implementation and evaluation of strategies for furthering the achievement of MCC’s overall vision, mission and program goals, and direct all aspects of the execution of those strategies. 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.

Strategic Partnership

Assist the Executive Director in maintaining MCC’s relationships with multiple external parties by interpreting and explaining MCC and its programs. Represent MCC in professional organizations and at professional and community meetings and events as requested. Serve as a strategic business partner by collaborating with the Board of Managers and serve on Board Committees to carry out the organization’s founding intention.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in horticulture or related plant science field preferred
• 10 years’ experience in horticultural positions of increasing responsibility with at least 5 years’ of management experience preferred
• Exceptional written, verbal, and public speaking communication skills
• Proficient horticultural and plant identification knowledge with emphasis on native plants of the eastern United States
• Proficient in basic principles of botanical science
• Working knowledge of garden and landscape design principles
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn and adapt to various software and technology programs to complete work duties
• Sound reasoning and judgment in making practical business decisions
• Demonstrated ability in organizing, managing and motivating others
• Ability to effectively fulfill organizational leadership roles and build meaningful partnerships
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong professional relationships and persuasively communicate with Mt. Cuba Center staff and the public
• Self-motivated, organized, attentive to details, and the ability to manage time and effectively function without close supervision.
• Ability and willingness to flexible hours including evenings, weekends, holidays and special events as needed
• Ability to occasionally perform moderate physical activity including standing and walking over uneven terrain

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

Mt. Cuba Center seeks a full time Assistant Manager of Guest Experience to support the Guest Experience Department through the supervision and scheduling of front-line staff, assisting in the oversight of departmental operations, and performing critical administrative functions. The Assistant Manager provides remarkable guest experiences through both personal interactions as well as a commitment to motivate front-line staff to provide the same. The Assistant Manager also oversees Mt. Cuba Center’s season pass program and guest satisfaction surveying efforts.

What You’ll Do:

Department Administration and Oversight   

• Lead Season Pass program fulfillment and passholder communications
• Prepare department communications including periodic newsletter
• Manage inventory and purchasing of supplies including merchandise, publications and signage
• Oversee the creation and delivery of guest satisfaction surveys, analyzing data and preparing reports
• Maintain departmental policies and procedures

Oversee Department Operations        

• Act as the Supervisor on Duty during general admission, programs and events, cross-train in order to provide backup coverage as needed
• Field incoming telephone calls, provide customer service to MCC constituents
• Financial reconciliation and deposit preparation

Staff Leadership

• Recruit, lead, motivate and develop employees who can successfully collaborate with all internal and external constituencies to help achieve the core objectives

Program & Project Administration     

• Assist the planning and execution of department initiatives 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

Lead Guest and Organizational Programs related to Guest Experience         

• Provide knowledge and guidance to support guest and organizational initiatives related to profession

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher and 2 years of supervisory experience in guest services, sales, or related field
• Basic math skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and general computer skills
• Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills
• 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 multi-task and work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• 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
• Ability to stand independently for extended periods of time
• Ability to walk extensively, including up and down hills and on uneven terrain

The Technology Support Specialist provides exceptional customer service to the organization through various technology services. This position provides first and second tier software, hardware, A/V, telephone, and network support. This position is responsible for technical and how-to support on a wide range of applications including MS office, Adobe Creative Suite, GIS applications, and content management systems.

We are seeking highly collaborative team members that put our mission first and will help us deliver remarkable experiences to our guests!

What you’ll do:

• Act as first point of contact for technology support requests throughout the organization. Field requests for service via phone, email, and in person and determines nature and extent of support needed; Utilize troubleshooting and analytical skills to resolve software errors and hardware malfunctions in a timely manner.
• Maintain ownership of the service ticket through to completion and maintain all components that support the help desk and ticketing processes.
• Deliver training continuously to users in startup, basic, and advanced use of technical resources; create user-based job aids for routine technical tasks.
• Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot a wide range of hardware, software, A/V equipment, and telephone equipment used throughout Mt. Cuba Center operations; Perform hardware/software upgrades to existing computer equipment as needed, outside of standard business hours.
• Perform administrative tasks on behalf of the tech services department including, but not limited to, ordering and keeping inventory of supplies and equipment, scheduling training rooms, and organizing meetings with vendors.

Qualifications:

• 2+ years’ experience in computer science or related field
• Knowledge in software and network support for multiple users with basic skills pertaining to various web and virtualization technology including Terminal Server, Hyper V, HTLML, and CSS
• Advanced understanding of computer and server operating systems, including usage of Microsoft Office Suite, Windows Server, and Adobe Creative Suite products
• Basic understanding of installation, configuration, and troubleshooting process for software, hardware, networking, TC/IP, and accessory equipment
• Troubleshooting skills of PBX and VOIP phone systems.
• Knowledge of assembly/disassembly of computer and server components
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively and persuasively 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 flexible hours including evenings, weekends, holidays and special events as needed