Ellen B. Cleveland Horticultural Fellowship Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

Collections That Care; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ellen B. Cleveland Horticultural Fellowship at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library offers an emerging leader in horticulture the chance to work one-on-one with horticulture staff and independently to preserve the Winterthur Garden and Estate.

Fellows learn safety and techniques and may explore budgeting, fundraising, and programming aspects of public gardens. Compensation is $19/hour for a 1-year term, full-time at 35 hours/week, with renewal possibilities and a start around January 5, 2027.

Qualifications

• Minimum experience: enrolled student or recent graduate with six semesters of horticulture coursework.
• Preferred experience: graduate in horticulture or related field with hands-on horticulture experience.

Responsibilities

• Care for Winterthur's historic garden and landscape.
• Learn and apply horticultural techniques and safety practices.
• Complete curatorial work on a plant grouping or a research project.
• Assist with budgeting, fundraising and program planning for the garden.

Skills

Tools operation

Oral & written directions

Gardening basics

Communication skills

IPM & taxonomy

Education

Six semesters of horticulture coursework

Graduate in horticulture or related field

Job description

Summary

The Ellen B. Cleveland Horticultural Fellowship (“Fellowship”) is an opportunity for an emerging leader in horticulture to work at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (“Winterthur”) to learn and experience all aspects of caring for a public historic garden and landscape. The fellow will work one-on-one under the direction of horticulture staff as well as independently to preserve and maintain the historic design intent of the Winterthur Garden and Estate. They will learn safety and horticultural techniques, e.g., fertilizing, planting, pruning, snow removal, leaf removal, mowing, spraying pesticides, mulching, and weed-eating. They will also learn the cultural requirements and botanical nomenclature of plants and about the design principles and history of the Winterthur Garden. In addition, they will be introduced to other aspects of the management of a public garden, such as budgeting, fundraising, programming, etc.

This Fellowship is an outstanding learning and growth opportunity for a recent graduate considering a career in public gardens. The fellow will also be expected to complete curatorial work on a particular plant grouping or a research project on a relevant topic, e.g., pest/disease control, Beech Leaf Disease, etc.

Key Details

Compensation: $19/hour

Duration:1 year, with opportunity for renewal (stars January 5, 2027)

Schedule:FT (35 hours/week)

Deadline:December 1, 2026

Eligibility

Minimum Experience:Enrolled student or recent graduate of an accredited college or university with six semesters of completed coursework in horticulture or a related field

Preferred Experience: Graduate of an accredited college or university in horticulture or a related field with one year of practical, hands-on experience in horticulture, with some time devoted to the maintenance of gardens, preferred.

Knowledge/Skills:

1. Ability to operate horticultural hand-tools and power equipment safely.
2. Ability to execute oral and written directions.
3. Basic knowledge of gardening techniques and terminology.
4. Ability to express ideas clearly, orally and in writing.
5. Basic knowledge of I.P.M and plant taxonomy and anatomy.

About

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library encompasses an unrivaled museum of American decorative arts in its mansion and galleries and a magnificent 60-acre naturalistic garden—all set on 1,000 gorgeous acres.

Tagged as: Collection Information & Management