Plant Records Manager

PLANT RECORDS MANAGER – Full Time – Management

Mt. Cuba Center, Hockessin, DE, US

Salary Range:$55,500.00 To 60,500.00 Annually

Mt. Cuba Center is a public garden that highlights the beauty and value of native plants to inspire conservation. Once the private estate of Pamela and Lammot du Pont Copeland, the gardens opened for general admission in 2013 and now spans more than 1,000 acres. It features captivating blooms along garden pathways in formal and woodland settings, picturesque meadows and ponds with stunning vistas, and more than two miles of scenic trails throughout its natural lands. Mt. Cuba is recognized as a leader in native plant research and open space preservation, having protected more than 14,000 acres in the mid-Atlantic region. Learn more at mtcubacenter.org.  

Plant Records Manager

The Plant Records Manager at Mt. Cuba Center enhances living collection documentation, manages plant records staff, and performs essential functions for the plant records department. This role develops and maintains plant records policies, manages IRIS BG and ArcGIS software, and handles plant material acquisition and taxonomic revisions. Additionally, the Plant Records Manager creates and disseminates thematic maps and supports collaborative projects internally and externally.

Essential Functions:

Plant Records Management

• Develops, maintains, and trains other staff on plant records policies and procedures, to ensure records are accurate, thorough, and usable.
• Serves as a taxonomic resource for the organization by coordinating identification and review of targeted plant collections, proofreading Mt. Cuba Center publications, and managing the process for taxonomic revisions in coordination with supervisor.
• Serves as the lead administrator for IRIS BG and ArcGIS software inclusive of data entry, quality control, and reporting, and troubleshooting.
• Oversees creation of accession and permanent display labels for the living collections.
• Inventories and maps living collections and utilities within Mt. Cuba Center’s, gardens, grounds, and targeted projects within natural lands.
• Processes incoming and outgoing plant collections. Manages plant material acquisition and dispersal in coordination with the Director of Horticulture and the Greenhouse Manager.
• Facilitates and supports collaboration within Mt. Cuba Center and with outside organizations regarding maps and other information resource sharing.

Lead Guest and Organization Programs

• 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

Staff Leadership

• 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

• Lead 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

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, botany, plant science, or related field and 2 years of experience within the curatorial discipline, or equivalent combination of education and work experience
• Proficiency with IrisBG and Plant Records software 
• Good working knowledge of plant identification and nomenclature is required
• Proficiency with GIS software and associated data management 
• Ability to operate a total station and global positions instruments for mapping
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong managerial and teambuilding skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and able to learn and adapt to various software and technology programs to complete work duties including plant and other database management software  
• Ability to effectively and accurately process, analyze, and configure data
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability effectively communicate with staff and the public
• Self-motivated, organized, attentive to detail, and able to manage time and function effectively without close supervision
• Routine use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Limited physical work is also required including moderate bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, reaching, carrying, lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 25 pounds; ability to stand independently for extended periods of time; ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions

Please note this is a Full Time, exempt position with a 37.5 hour week.

Mt. Cuba Center’s total rewards program includes competitive benefits, compensation, and perks. It is designed to promote transparency and strengthen our culture, values, vision, and mission. The starting compensation for this Full Time position is expected to be $55,500 – $60,500 per year. We craft offers with the uniqueness of our final candidate in mind and determine a compensation package based on their experience, skills, and abilities. Full Time staff members also enjoy participation in our incredible Medical, Dental and Vision benefits, 401k plan with an employer contribution of up to 8%, generous paid time off and leave policies, free admission to our garden, access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), professional development opportunities and more!

Mt. Cuba Center is committed to diversity and inclusivity, and we encourage qualified candidates from all cultures and communities to apply. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application or need help applying, please email [email protected]