After graduation, he worked for the San Francisco office of the National Park Service (NPS) as a landscape architect from 1933 to 1940.

A native of New York City, Mott enrolled at Michigan State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture in 1931.

[4] Following his appointment as the 12th NPS director in May 1985, Mott issued a "Twelve Point Plan" to protect the parks and their resources, better serve the public, and improve the service's management.

When the Bush administration replaced him with its own appointee in April 1989, Mott remained on the rolls as special assistant to the western regional director overseeing planning for the Presidio of San Francisco.

[5][6] During his tenure, the NPS added 17 new facilities and 1.4×106 acres (5.7×103 km2) of land[2] The Twelve Point Plan in 1985 was a means to "strengthen public trust, revitalize the organization and assure its continued success over time".