Employment & Internships

Working closely with the Security & Safety Manager and Coordinator, Parking Attendants are responsible for maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor while providing exceptional customer service.

• • Become knowledgeable of Cheekwood’s history and basic facts of interest to visitors.
• • Maintains a clean and neat uniform and appearance.
• • Responsible for positive interaction with the visitors answering questions while providing clear directions to each of the parking lots.
• • Must be able to effectively communicate on the radio with other employees while monitoring the parking spaces in his/her lots.

Qualifications: Must have the availability to work weekends and evenings and willing to walk/stand for long periods in all types of weather conditions. We offer the ability to work in a beautiful environment.

Please send your resume to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

Cheekwood is seeking several experienced Security Attendants. Working under the direction of the Security & Safety Manager, this position will be responsible for ensuring a safe and secure environment.

• • Responsible for protecting the works of art by ensuring that no one touches the collection and reports any problems promptly to the Security Manager.
• • Maintains a clean uniform and appearance to reflect a professional image.
• • Provides positive interactions with the public answering questions and giving directions. Attendants are required to always maintain a calm friendly and professional demeanor, in all situations, while providing exceptional customer service.
• • First responder to incidents as needed. Attendants will know the location of every fire extinguisher and first aid kits. Incident response time should be quick while maintaining continual radio contact with the Security Base. Incidents reports will be completed accurately and turned in immediately to the Security Manager.
• • Must maintain a valid unarmed security license from the State of Tennessee at all times.

Qualifications: Valid State of Tennessee Security Unarmed Guard License and Driver’s License. Must have the ability to multi-task and endure long periods of standing and walking in all types of weather conditions. Daytime, evening, and weekend shifts are available. Security level experience in the Entertainment or Hospitality Industry is a plus.

Please send your resume to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

Working closely with the Vice President of Gardens & Facilities, the Special Projects Manager manages seasonal exhibitions and special installations through the full project lifecycle, from early planning and design through deinstallation and storage.

• • Manages the design, planning, installation and deinstallation of custom display elements featured in annual festivals and exhibits, including Cheekwood in Bloom, Cheekwood Harvest, Antiques & Garden Show, and Orchids in the Mansion.
• • Manages the Holiday LIGHTS program comprehensively.
• • Oversees the regular maintenance and operation of the TRAINS! display; develops and manages preventative maintenance schedules, orders replacement parts and display inventory, and coordinates service to the display by volunteers and various Cheekwood departments.
• • Leads the planning, development, and implementation of special, garden-based exhibitions, such as Storybook Houses.
• • Supports Cheekwood Leadership in the visioning, design, planning, and implementing cohesive festivals and exhibits and collaborates with outside designers in the process.
• • Supports visioning and design process with sketches, renderings, and digital mock-ups, and delivers fully developed construction documents for in-house projects.
• • Manages the design development of display features designed by others including the appropriate application of materials, products, and technologies; produces mock-ups as necessary to establish feasibility and design intent and to secure buy-in and approvals.
• • Documents as-built conditions of installations with images and graphics for evaluation and planning purposes.
• • Develops timelines for complete project lifecycles and manages progress in service of detailed schedules for planning, procurement, installation and deinstallation.
• • Supports leadership in developing budgets for all special projects; develops detailed, project-based budgets and buyout strategies and manages procurement; adheres to accounting policy and procedures, including monthly service to variance reports.
• • Coordinates support from other departments to confirm labor and other resources are committed to project completion.
• • Directs the work of contractors and other vendors to produce special projects, most especially Holiday LIGHTS, including scheduling, direct onsite supervision, and contract administration.
• • Monitors the condition and appearance of installations; identifies deficiencies and recommends solutions; performs or directs the necessary repair and maintenance and coordinates work with other departments as required.
• • Manages a comprehensive and highly organized inventory and storage system for Holiday LIGHTS and other displays. Administrates a strategic, sustainable, and documented program for inventory refreshment.
• • Serves as the primary liaison to the Museum/Art Department and coordinates support from the garden and maintenance teams for outdoor garden installations.
• • Operates and maintains outdoor speaker system, including permanent and temporary components. Serves in a consulting capacity on audio/visual projects throughout the organization and provides direct project support when time and other resources are available.
• • Prepares and distributes information related to special projects and installations to Development and Marketing departments in a timely fashion.
• • Motivates, develops, and supervises volunteers working in service of special projects.
• • Insures adherence to safe workplace practices and procedures in the handling of program components and in all preparation work and workshop spaces.
• • Attends weekly logistics meeting, weekly garden team meeting, and other meetings as required.
• • Performs other duties, as assigned.
• • Serves as an external representative of Cheekwood and engages members of the community and industry to exchange information and ideas to support individual and institutional growth.
• • Maintains a constant awareness of the guest experience and makes every reasonable effort to ensure the safety and comfort of all persons moving through the Garden.
• • Understands and upholds the Cheekwood Mission, Vision and Values and maintains great awareness and flexibility to accommodate and support organizational goals and operations.

Qualifications: An Associate Degree in horticulture, art, or relevant trade, or equivalent combination of training and professional work experience. Must have the ability to lift, pull, push, and carry up to 50lbs and willing to work in inclement weather. This is a full-time position with competitive benefits.

Please send your resume to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

Working closely with the Special Event Coordinator/Supervisor, this position will provide an impeccable experience to clients in achieving above and beyond customer service through beverage services while maintaining professional appearance.

• • Responsible for event and bar set up, execution and break down of all goods and trash removal until buildings are clean and ready to be secured by Cheekwood Security or cleared by Event Supervisor.
• • Assists with pulling correct inventory, set up and stock bars, essentially responsible for bar operation throughout event. Including, but not limited to set up, service and break down.  All remaining inventory is to be documented and returned to proper storage area at the end of each event with the Event Supervisor.
• • Monitor building and grounds throughout events to ensure things are running smoothly, alert Security or Event Supervisor with any issues.
• • Report any damage to Security and the Event Supervisor immediately.
• • Responsible for set-up, operation of and break down of cash bars when appropriate, keeping accurate records of all inventory and sales, with equipment provided {cash box; iPod Square} to be returned to Event Supervisor or rentals office as instructed.
• • Politely greet and service all customers when approached- including answering questions about Cheekwood’s history, programming, drink related, etc. to best of one’s knowledge.
• • Adhere to the dress uniform and in the employee handbook and/or noted from a supervisor/ manager.
• • Responsible for signing and filling out all appropriate documents as provided by Supervisor- including Tip and Hour Sheet and Bar Control sheet.
• • Responsible for reading all provided information provided on the pull sheet at the beginning of the shift so that one may be knowledgeable of timelines and details of the evening.
• • Bartenders must supply own bar tools as needed including wine key and bottle openers.

Qualifications: Must have a current valid ABC Certificate, excellent client relation skills, advanced and extensive bar/alcohol knowledge. Must have the availability to work evenings, including weekends. This position is a great opportunity for anyone looking for part time, flexible hours, and a way to make some extra money with a second job before the holidays.

Please send your resume to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

Working closely with the Director of Visitor Operations & Visitor Experience Coordinator, this position will provide excellent customer service.

• • Greeting and welcoming visitors.
• • Directing and answering visitor inquiries.
• • Processing tickets & memberships.

Qualifications: Pleasant personality with excellent oral communication skills and strong customer service skills. Ability to operate a cash/ticketing system and money transactions. Ability to work in outdoor weather conditions as needed. Previous Retail Sales /Customer Service Experience is preferred. Hours vary per week and range from 5-24 hours per week. Must have the availability to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

Please send your resume to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

Cheekwood is seeking an individual with a strong interest in horticulture to support garden maintenance and uphold the highest standard of excellence.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• • Performs all levels of garden and grounds maintenance required to maintain the highest aesthetic standards throughout the property and support seasonal display rotations, especially Blooms. Understands and stewards the Mission Statements for individual gardens and collections.
• • Assists the garden supervisor in upholding the historic and current intent of the garden.
• • Frequently practices landscaping maintenance and upkeep including, but not limited to weeding, mulching, watering, planting, pruning, pest control, spraying, string trimming, leaf removal, and trash removal.
• • Troubleshoots irrigation issues in the garden.
• • Maintains bed edges and tree rings.
• • Applies a basic understanding of plant physiology and botanical nomenclature.
• • Practices safety measures during task execution.
• • Maintains water features in assigned garden, if applicable.
• • Actively participates in large seasonal exhibitions such as Blooms, and additional Seasonal Garden Projects.
• • Supervises seasonal employees and volunteers in support of the garden supervisor.
• • Maintains standards for the daily care and storage of garden equipment.
• • Safely and responsibly operate and maintain landscape equipment including, but not limited to, backpack blowers, edger’s, gas powered shears, string trimmers, and utility carts.
• • Maintains records of work activities in assigned areas of the garden.
• • Serves as an external representative of Cheekwood and engages members of the community and industry to exchange information and ideas to support individual and institutional growth.
• • Maintains a constant awareness of the guest experience and makes every reasonable effort to ensure the safety and comfort of all persons moving through the garden.
• • Understands and upholds the Cheekwood Mission, Vision and Values, and maintains great awareness and flexibility to accommodate and support organizational goals and operations.

Qualifications: Must have the ability to lift, pull, push, and carry up to 50lbs; strong customer service skills; willing to work in inclement weather and the availability to work the required hours, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM Tuesday – Saturday. This is a full-time position with competitive benefits.

Please send your resume and letter of interest to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org.

Cheekwood is an equal opportunity employer

Department: Marketing

Reports To: Chanel McDaniel

Semester: August 2021 – December 2021

Internship Description: The marketing department at Cheekwood is offering an internship for undergraduate students working towards a degree in Interactive Media, Digital Media, Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, Advertising or any related major. Recent graduates will also be considered. Interns will assist the marketing department with digital content and social media, with a specific focus on creating video content for use in Cheekwood’s social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Responsibilities:

• • Work with Marketing Team to create video content for Cheekwood’s social media channels
• • Photograph and film video footage of exhibitions, programs, tours, and some evening and weekend events that could be used on social media and Cheekwood’s website.
• • Research trends on TikTok that relate brand awareness and development.
• • Assist with social media campaigns
• • Identify influencers to work with and spread awareness of Cheekwood’s brand and its happenings
• • Other duties as assigned

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are a non-exhaustive list of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to handle, feel, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms above the shoulder. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Desired Skills or Experience:

• • Strong working knowledge of social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and LinkedIn
• • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• • Working knowledge of Adobe Premiere Pro
• • Proficiency in editing videos for social media via video editing apps

Please note, intern will be required to use their personal smartphone to record videos and take photos for social media.

Hours/Time Commitment: 16-20 Hours per week

Application Deadline: July 1, 2021

Education: Must be an undergraduate enrolled in an accredited college

Area of Study: Interactive Media, Digital Media, Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, Advertising or any related major.

Compensation: $12/hour

Application Requirements: Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest with desired internship and semester, a resume, and a list of 3 references, at least one academic. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Start dates may vary based upon department needs and schedule. Please submit all applications to Abby Ornella at aornella@cheekwood.org by the application deadline for the desired semester. All interns will be required to undergo a background check.