Job Opportunity: Arboretum Waterway Steward

Oversee the iconic Arboretum Waterway by leading the riparian habitat restoration, coordinating a team of student interns and more! Apply to be the Arboretum Waterway Steward at UC Davis, where every career employee receives extremely competitive health and retirement benefits including:

• Three weeks vacation at start, holidays and paid sick leave
• One of our state's best pension benefits and a retirement savings program
• An impressive selection of medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Plus, much more...

LEARN MORE and APPLY by Jan. 2, 2026

WHY JOIN the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden?

EXPLORE UC Davis' Competitive HEALTH and RETIREMENT Benefits

Job Summary

The Waterway Steward maintains and enhances the Arboretum Waterway in alignment with the strategic initiatives of the UC Davis Living Landscape Adaptation Plan. This position works directly with UC Davis faculty, students, and staff as well as key community members to maintain positive ecological and aesthetic quality of the waterway and associated habitat areas, manage and steward the aquatic environment and infrastructure within the waterway, and design and install habitat restoration and revegetation projects within the waterway and adjacent slopes and banks. This position develops, manages, and implements a student internship/volunteer program using the Learning by Leading™ model. The steward also develops, manages, and oversees highly skilled volunteers, civic and student service clubs, and others. 

The steward participates in a variety of activities related to the waterway and storm water, including meeting with donors, leading tours, and assisting with writing grants. They manage all aspects of assigned projects, including overseeing students and volunteers, budget planning, and grant expense reporting. The steward explores and establishes mutually beneficial partnerships with community and regional organizations to advance the work of the APG and enhance the Arboretum Waterway. The steward develops and leads public outreach efforts to raise awareness and advance the work of stewarding the Arboretum Waterway. The steward actively participates as an expert in assigned areas such as water quality, wetland and storm water management, habitat restoration, sustainability, and urban habitat. 

Department Purpose

The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden (APG) is composed of three sub-teams that collectively hold responsibility for managing the entire campus landscape. This position will report to the Assistant Director for the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve/Naturalized Lands sub-team and collaborate with members of the Grounds & Landscape Services and Arboretum sub-teams. The goals of the APG are to create a more visitor-friendly campus, transition to a more sustainable and resilient campus landscape that is adapted to our future climate, make the academic programs of UC Davis visible to campus visitors, build environmental leadership in students and community partners, engage the public in lifelong learning opportunities, and leverage campus financial and human resources.

 Key programs of the APG include the UC Davis GATEways Project, the Learning by Leading™ Program, and the Living Landscape Adaptation Plan. The GATEways Project transforms the campus into physical and programmatic portals for the public to engage in the riches of UC Davis. The Learning by Leading Program builds environmental leadership skills with students through hands-on, real-world projects and programs involving mentorship by staff, faculty and community members. The Living Landscape Adaptation Plan charts a course for building and sustaining a thriving campus landscape in the face of significant climate change disruptions.

Key Responsibilities

55% - Waterway/Stormwater Management

• Coordinate and perform waterway maintenance and enhancement activities, including managing water levels for flood prevention and ecological benefits, weed control, erosion control, wildlife habitat enhancement and management, water sampling, waterway trash and debris removal, and pump and weir maintenance.
• Use adaptive management techniques to meet the operational needs of the waterway system and work with leadership to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and allocate resources.
• Apply pesticides on an as-needed basis.
• Maintain and build partnerships with internal and external collaborators to reach long-term goals for sustainability of land and water within the waterway and associated slopes, banks, and other storm water habitat features on campus.
• Work with other departments (e.g., EH&S and Utilities) on stewardship of the waterway and other campus stormwater features as required.
• Work with academic partners on projects pertaining to wetland ecology, water management, wildlife management, etc. as appropriate.
• Conduct lectures and tours for academic partners (e.g., Land, Air, and Water Resources, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Plant Sciences), university classes, and the public (e.g., Putah Creek Council, Yolo Basin Foundation, Yolo Bird Alliance).
• Work with Arboretum curator and collection database manager to document and interpret these landscapes. 

20% - Oversee Student Intern Program

• Lead the Waterway Stewardship student internship program using the Learning by Leading framework.
• Create appropriate activities that build student leadership while meeting the goals of the Arboretum Waterway (e.g., aquatic weed IPM, habitat enhancement, aquatic wildlife monitoring, water quality monitoring, leadership training).
• Recruit, train, and oversee students to take on successively higher levels of responsibility.
• Work with community volunteers and organizations to mentor students in this process.

10% -  Research and Training Support

• Establish and maintain relationships with academic partners to facilitate and provide field support for visiting classes and individual researchers.
• Coordinate with partners to ensure compatibility and safety of activities, assist with communications and outreach, and document research projects associated with the Waterway.

10% - Community Engagement and Fundraising

• Recruit, manage, teach, and engage community volunteers in the stewardship and maintenance of the Arboretum Waterway.
• Work in partnership with the Community Engagement and Fundraising team to identify funding opportunities and funding sources that relate to the Arboretum Waterway.
• Provide opportunities for donors to engage with the Arboretum Waterway in a way that encourages donor cultivation and stewardship

5% - General Administration, Tool and Equipment Inventory, Operation and Maintenance

• Budget for, purchase, repair and maintain the Waterway's equipment and tools in good to excellent condition.
• Follow required and recommended maintenance schedules and coordinate outside repairs as necessary.
• Attend APG planning meetings and represent the Waterway in the planning process.
• Submit timely pesticide use records to County Agricultural Commissioner.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and protocols to maintain a safe, secure and hazard-free work environment.

Other requirements

• Performs other duties as assigned
• This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, in accordance with the needs of the organization
• Complies with all policies and standards
• Percentages of time allocated to functions are a guideline only
• Individual assignments and time actually worked in each functional area may vary based on the department’s operational needs

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Work Experience

• Experience in ecosystem restoration and/or aquatic ecology; such as habitat restoration planning, implementation and maintenance; identifying and cultivating plants native to the California Central Valley, especially riparian and wetland-associated species; erosion control; weed and pest control; and the operation and maintenance of spray equipment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to safely complete field tasks while carrying up to a 35-pound pack for sustained periods and working outdoors in physically challenging conditions, including wet, muddy, and/or uneven terrain; inclement weather; and temperature extremes.
• Demonstrated leadership skills to recruit, manage, teach, and engage adult volunteers and university students in hands-on outdoor land management activities, including experience using, teaching, and supervising the use of hand and power tools for landscape management.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills to develop mutually beneficial partnerships with entities such as University departments, researchers, academic partners, students, community organizations and other stakeholders.
• Organizational and project management skills to work independently and as part of a team, to prioritize, organize, and manage multiple projects; to work effectively under pressure with conflicting deadlines; and to solve problems on an ad-hoc basis.
• Computer skills to use electronic mail, word processing, database, spreadsheet, timekeeping and communication software.

Preferred Qualifications

Work Experience

• Experience managing wetlands, watersheds, and/or storm water systems as they relate to natural receiving waters as well as experience working with regulatory agencies at the State and Federal levels, as it relates to water and the environment.
• Experience mentoring and fostering leadership in university students.
• Experience developing programs that allow students to take on successively greater leadership roles as their abilities grow.
• Experience recruiting, managing, supervising, and retaining highly skilled adult volunteers from diverse backgrounds, identifying what motivates individuals to give their time and resources, and cultivating positive relationships.
• Experience designing, planning, and delivering public programs; leading educational tours; and teaching scientific concepts to a variety of audiences.
• Fundraising experience with foundations, government agency grants, corporate entities and individual donors.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of chemical and biological interactions within an aquatic ecosystem and management practices to improve water quality and ecological health including understanding of water sampling methods, analysis, and ability to make subsequent management actions based on results.
• Knowledge of environmental regulatory requirements and monitoring procedures.

Job Expectations

Mental requirements

• Occasional (up to 3 hours daily) use of numerical skills; customer contact
• Frequent (3 to 6 hours daily) sustained attention and concentration; complex problem solving; organization and prioritization; communication skills; interaction; and performance of multiple concurrent tasks

Physical requirements

• Occasional (up to 3 hours daily) lifting over 50 pounds; pushing/pulling over 50 pounds; twisting; climbing; reaching over head
• Frequent (3 to 6 hours daily) bending/stooping; squatting/kneeling; keyboard use/repetitive motion

Environmental requirements

• Occasional exposure (up to 3 hours daily) to loud noise levels; marked changes in humidity or temperature; microwave/radiation.
• Frequent exposure (3 to 6 hours daily) to chemicals, dust, gases or fumes; operating motor vehicles and/or equipment; extreme temperatures
• Continuous exposure (6 to 8+ hours daily) to uneven surfaces or elevations

Additional requirements

• Must be able to operate 4-wheel-drive trucks, ATVs, boats, and agricultural equipment (including, but not limited to: herbicide sprayers, flail mowers, tractors, bulldozers, water trucks, pumps, range-drills, excavators, front-loaders, backhoes, and dump trucks).
• Must be able to work flexible schedule including evenings, nights, holidays, weekends.
• Must be able to work outside in summer heat or winter rain with potential exposure to snakes, rodents and ticks and their associated diseases and regular exposure to poison oak.
• Must be able to perform some office work, use vehicles, and work in equipment shop.
• Must work with or be in areas where hazardous materials such as pesticides are present.
• Must wear protective/safety clothing and equipment when job requires its use.
• Employee may participate in required preventive medical monitoring programs such as blood tests, TB screening, etc., and are provided to Federal, State and University requirements. Position requires medical surveillance and assessment for respirator use.

Special requirements

• Driver’s license: California Driver License Required to hold a valid California driver’s license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program Will the position need to register with the California Pull Program? Yes
• Additional Minimum License/Certification: Current Certification or License for Pesticide Application from California Department of Pesticide Regulation with Right-of-Way and Aquatic certifications must be obtained within six months of hire.
• Background check: This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment
• Smoke Free Work Environment: The Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment policy is intended to provide a healthier safer, and more productive work and learning environment for the entire UC Community. The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all University owned or leased properties, or facilities operated by UC staff or faculty. Smoking and tobacco use are strictly prohibited in indoor and outdoor spaces, parking lots, residential space, and University vehicles. Read the full policy.
• Principles of Community: UC Davis is a diverse community comprised of individuals having many perspectives and identities. We come from a multitude of backgrounds and experiences, with distinct needs and goals. We recognize that to create an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community, we must understand and value both our individual differences and our common ground. The UC Davis Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that embodies this commitment and reflects the ideals we seek to uphold. Read the full Principles of Community. 

Safety requirements

• Must be familiar with and comply with specific and detailed safety procedures, such as biosafety and confined entry requirements, radiation safety and biosafety protocols, asbestos removal procedures, specifics of Material Safety Data Sheets, etc.
• Must be able to appropriately fit and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as TB masks, goggles, face shields, gowns, gloves and protective safety equipment such as safety glasses and safety shoes.
• Must participate in medical monitoring programs, including film badges, cholinesterase tests, bioassay tests, tuberculosis tests, serum tests, etc.
• Must participate in preventive medical programs, including immunizations, medical surveillance, and physical examinations.

LEARN MORE and APPLY by Jan. 2, 2026

WHY JOIN the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden?

EXPLORE UC Davis' Competitive HEALTH and RETIREMENT Benefits