Job Opportunity: Community Engagement Program Manager

Develop partnerships and programs and cultivate support of the Arboretum and Public Garden team. Apply to join 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
• EXPLORE UC Davis' Competitive HEALTH and RETIREMENT Benefits

LEARN MORE and APPLY by August 3, 2026

Job Summary

The Community Engagement Program Manager for the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden (APG) will develop and implement specialized programs, events, and communications designed to inform and engage key constituencies. Key APG constituencies include the general public, community volunteers, pipeline donors, students, and other campus and community partners and representatives. This position will work closely with the Arboretum and Public Garden Director and Assistant Director of Development in implementing partnerships and programs to help grow support of the Arboretum and Public Garden. 

Department Purpose

The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden holds responsibility for managing the entire campus landscape. The goals of the Arboretum and Public Garden 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 Arboretum and Public Garden 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 sustaining a thriving campus landscape in the face of significant climate change disruptions. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Bachelors Degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience planning and implementing community engagement programs and events. Ability to support and enhance community relations.
• Experience creating positive working relationships with adult volunteers including recruiting, training, identifying engaging roles and projects, and recognizing accomplishments.
• Thorough written, verbal and interpersonal communications, tact and political acumen to effectively represent the Arboretum and Public Garden and UC Davis, including in highly sensitive situations.
• Thorough research, analytical and critical thinking skills, including sound judgment and decision-making skills. Problem-solving skills to correctly identify real and potential issues, advising management as required, and proposing effective strategic solutions.
• Organizational and project management skills, including program/event planning and meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to lead by example, fostering teamwork and an open culture focused on service, innovation, and collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting fundraising activities including relationship building, donor stewardship, events, and communications. 
• Experience with supporting earned-income activities such as membership programs, dedication programs and/or merchandise sales. 
• Experience working with and fostering leadership in young people (e.g., college students). 
• Experience working with a volunteer board or other group of leadership volunteers. 
• Knowledge of the university environment and ability to work effectively with other campus units. Knowledge of museums and informal learning environments.
• Knowledge of Arboretum and Public Garden mission, horticultural programs, plant collections, volunteer opportunities and practices.
• Ability to initiate new strategies, partnerships, and approaches.

Job Expectations

Key Responsibilities

• 75% - Community Engagement, Membership, and Volunteer Program Management
• 25% - Community Engagement Communication

Mental Demands

• Frequent (3 to 6 hours daily) sustained attention and concentration, ability to organize and prioritize, communication skills, constant interaction, customer contact, and multiple concurrent tasks
• Occasional (up to 3 hours) complex problem solving/reasoning, and numerical skills

Physical Demands

• Frequent (3 to 6 Hours) sitting and keyboard use/repetitive motion
• Occasional (up to 3 hours) standing, walking, lifting/carrying 0-25 lbs, pushing/pulling 0-25 lbs, bending/stooping, squatting/kneeling, and twisting, reaching overhead

Special requirements

• The duties or functions of this position include the handling of cash (or cash equivalents)
• UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space. 
• 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 
• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

LEARN MORE and APPLY by August 3, 2026

EXPLORE UC Davis' Competitive HEALTH and RETIREMENT Benefits