Student Job Opportunity: Campus Tree Steward

Plant and steward the next generation of campus trees and work with a dynamic team of expert staff, student employees, and interns as a Campus Tree Steward for the Arboretum and Public Garden's Learning by Leading Urban Tree Stewardship team. Get hands-on field, project management, and leadership coordination tasks in this year-long role.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of Arboretum and Public Garden staff, this position will work in teams and independently to maintain trees and plantings across the campus landscape. The position will focus on the planting, stewardship and establishment care of young trees and care of mature trees in the Arboretum and Public Garden. The team will be integral to our climate adaptation and tree conservation projects, growing and monitoring oaks and other trees from California, the Southwest US and around the world. Duties include:

• Watering, including monitoring automatic irrigation systems and plant appearance; running small manual systems; and watering by hand.
• Planting, watering, mulching, staking, weeding, and pruning. 
• Collecting tree data.
• Maintaining plants, gardens, pathways, general equipment, and signage.
• Operating of hand tools and light power tools such as string trimmers and mowers. 
• Providing general assistance to visitors.

Position Details

• Anticipated Start Date: Mid-June
• Salary: $17.15/hour
• Time commitment: 10-15 hours per week during school year, 20-25 hours per week during summer. Commitment to work through June 2027 required.

Apply via Google Forms by May 4, 2026

Qualifications

• Good interpersonal skills necessary for communicating with staff, volunteers, and the general public.
• Ability to effectively serve as both a member and leader of work teams.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision and to follow through on assignments.
• Knowledge of Learning by Leading program and Arboretum and Public Garden landscapes and programs is desirable.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including rain, cold, and heat.
• Must be able to lift at least 40 lbs.
• Must be able to perform all tasks in a safe manner and operate with care around valuable trees and plant collections.
• Must have a California Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Regular availability on weekdays in the summer from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Good working knowledge of UC Davis campus and sense of direction
• Practical gardening, pruning, maintenance and landscape plant identification

Job Expectations

• Read, follow and model the UC Davis Principles of Community.
• Exhibit strong professional ethics and accountability.
• Lead by example and foster leadership and teamwork.
• Support and enhance fundraising activities and community relations.
• Be sensitive with/and understand complex relationships between individuals and organizations and the University and use good judgment in resolving misunderstandings on issues impacting the Arboretum and Public Garden and the University.
• Maintain a strong commitment to high quality customer service.
• Understand the importance of cultivating relationships within and outside of the organization to represent the Arboretum and Public Garden with a high degree of professionalism and integrity; seek to accomplish goals with measurable results and empower others to do the same; create a vision of achievement.

Apply via Google Forms by May 4, 2026

Questions?

Questions about the position can be addressed to Emily Griswold at [email protected].