Oversee the maintenance of the gorgeous campus urban canopy that serves the entire UC Davis community, from students to squirrels. Apply to be a tree maintenance supervisor, at the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden 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 May 7

EXPLORE UC Davis' Competitive HEALTH and RETIREMENT Benefits

Full Position Description

Job summary

Under the general direction of the Arboretum and Public Garden (APG) Assistant Director for Grounds & Landscape Services, perform duties as Tree Maintenance Supervisor. Using standards, policy and recommendations established by the Campus Urban Forester and following industry standards including ANSI 300, ANSI Z 133, oversee highly technical maintenance service to the campus urban forest by supervising teams performing journey level work in trimming, cabling, cultivating, removing, preparing reports or records, and planting trees using all modern methods and tools of the Arboriculture industry including computerized mapping and maintenance systems. Responsible for insuring assigned work and scheduled functions are carried out to established standards and completed on time. Ensure staff assignments are clear and teams have necessary tools/supplies to complete their assignments. Act as first point of contact for campus customers. Responsible for personnel functions such as safety, training, diversity, corrective action and performance management. Creates and maintains a positive and respectful working environment. This position plays a key role in the expansion of sustainable landscapes across the campus as part of the Living Landscape Adaptation Plan and works closely with APG colleagues to ensure the use of appropriate techniques for non-traditional landscapes. This position will be Monday through Friday with occasional weekend work as needed.

Job Expectations

• On-call for tree or landscape issues.
• Read, understand and follow the UC Davis Principles of Community.
• Strong initiative and customer service standards
• Highly motivated and results oriented
• Must maintain flexibility in a continuously changing and fast paced work environment
• Make well planned decisions; Analyze situations, define problems and/or objectives, identify relevant factors, formulate logical conclusions and suggest alternative solutions
• Professional communication skills, tact and diplomacy
• Ensure consistency in formatting, writing style and presentation of all communications
• Maintain confidentiality of files and data

Physical Demands

• Mental Demands: Constant performances of detailed work, multiple concurrent tasks, analysis and problem solving. Frequent written and verbal communication
• Physical Demands: Frequently bending, standing, walking, talking and hearing. Occasional climbing, crawling, kneeling, pushing , reaching, squatting, stooping,  and twisting. Must be able to lift up to 70 pounds, climb 12-foot ladders and operate heavy and small equipment for long periods of time.
• Work performed outdoors, year-round, in extreme weather conditions in an institutional setting. Occasionally exposed to chemicals, dirt, hazards and heat/cold.

Work Environment

• Valid California driver’s license required.
• Participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles Pull Notice System.
• Subject to completion of a pre-placement medical exam provided by Occupational Health Services.
• Work performed outdoors, year-round in extreme weather conditions in an institutional setting.
• Work irregular shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings. Available for emergency response.
• Employee is personally responsible for following health and safety guidelines/instructions.

Smoke and tobacco free work environment: 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum License/Certification         

• Must possess an ISA Certified Arborist and Certified Tree Climber’s Certificate.

Minimum Education/Experience                             

• At least 3 years demonstrated supervisory experience in horticulture, arboriculture, or landscape maintenance including recruitment, work assignment, setting expectations and evaluating performance.
• Experience with computers, including databases, Geographical Information Systems, Microsoft Suite of software, and timekeeping systems.
• Experience to climb trees by ropes and or spurs, use safety belts and other required rigging as necessary to perform tree climbing duties.
• Experience creating safety zones in areas of high pedestrian and vehicular traffic

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

• Skill to perform all manner of pruning tasks according to ANSI 300 and ISA industry best management practices.
• Customer service and communication skills to provide courteous service in person and on the telephone; to convey a professional and business-like image to a diverse student, staff and general public population; and to remain calm and professional when dealing with difficult, disgruntled, defensive people in person, on the phone and via email.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred License/Certification         

• Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ), TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP), CDL Class A, Qualified Applicators Certificate (QAC)

Preferred Education/Experience             

• Degree in horticulture or a related field and five+ years of variable tree work experience performing the duties listed in the job or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working in a public sector union environment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

• Skills to drive a high lift boom truck and maintain the appropriate license as mandated by the Department of Motor Vehicles

Special Requirements

• Background Check: This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks.
• COVID-19 Vaccine: The University of California has implemented a SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Policy (ucop.edu) covering all employees. To be compliant with the policy, employees must submit proof of vaccination or a University-approved exception or deferral.
• Other requirements: This position is subject to the California Department of Motor Vehicles Pull Notice System. This position requires a Pre-Employment Physical.

LEARN MORE and APPLY by May 7

EXPLORE UC Davis' Competitive HEALTH and RETIREMENT Benefits