Student Leadership

We are hiring for the position of Student Co-Coordinator for the 2024-2025 academic year! Read below for details about the position and how to apply. 

APPLICATION DUE BY 6/18/24, 11:59 PM.

Are you interested in gaining hands-on leadership experience with irrigation technology, research, and water-smart landscaping? The California Center for Urban Horticulture (CCUH) in partnership with the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden's Learning by Leading™ program is currently recruiting one new co-coordinator for their SmartLandscape Team! The SmartLandscape team will focus on developing a SmartLawn landscape in urban environments, specifically centered at the Western Center for Agricultural Equipment facility. 

The paid position will allow students the opportunity to lead a team of fellow Learning by Leading™ interns in maintaining the SmartLandscape areas and learning about efficient irrigation technology and water conserving plant species and irrigation practices. 

The Learning by Leading™ internship program offers students the unique opportunity to gain leadership skills and real-world experience in addressing some of earth’s most important environmental issues. Through the program, students gain research and urban plant care experience, knowledge of cutting-edge irrigation technology, strong mentor relationships, and connection to a network of students, professors, and industry professionals dedicated to improving our campus and the planet's environment. 

How to Apply:

• Send a cover letter and resume to CCUH Program Manager, Emily Finch ehfinch@ucdavis.edu)

Questions?

• Contact CCUH Program Manager, Emily Finch, ehfinch@ucdavis.edu

Position Title:

• CCUH SmartLandscape Student Co-Coordinator (Student Assistant III, Paid, $16.25/hr)

Departmental Division:

• California Center for Urban Horticulture

Job Function: 

• Turf Management, Water Efficiency, Sustainable Horticulture, Irrigation Best Practices, Leadership, Development

Job Purpose: 

• Under the general direction of the Program Manager of California Center for Urban Horticulture and the SmartLawn Learning ^TM program, Co-Coordinators will create, implement and manage design, research and implementation of the SmartLandscape initiative.

Co-Coordinator Position Description:

• With the mentorship of CCUH’s Program Manager and with fellow Co-coordinators, develop, implement and lead the SmartLandscape Internship using the Learning by Leading framework.
• Lead collaborative planning and decision-making regarding development of SmartLandscape curriculum, activities, events, projects, and program evaluation.
• Organize student Internship outreach, recruitment, selection, and community building activities.
• Maintain communication between Interns, other departments and organizations, and CCUH. 
• Document and organize program activities, data, timelines, schedules, action plans, and educational materials.
• Participate and present in SmartLandscape outreach events (workshops, conferences, poster sessions etc.)

Time Requirements:

• 8-10 hours/week
• Must be available Summer 2024
• Must be available academic year 2024-2025
   

Qualifications:

• Leadership skills to recruit, manage, teach and motivate student interns and volunteers.
• Communication skills to effectively make decisions and solve problems independently.
• Organizational skills to establish priorities and handle multiple tasks and deadlines. 
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision to follow through on complex projects.
• Interest or experience in landscaping, horticulture, irrigation and project management.
• Willingness to work outside in hot or inclement weather.
• Incoming 2nd and 3rd years are encouraged to apply.

Job Expectations:

• Exhibit strong professional ethics, communication, and accountability.
• Lead by example and foster leadership and teamwork.
• Willingness to go the extra mile to ensure program success. 
• Understand complex relationships between individuals and organizations and the University and use good judgment in resolving misunderstandings on issues impacting the CCUH and the University.
• Understand complex relationships between individuals and organizations and the University and use good judgment in resolving misunderstandings on issues impacting the CCUH and the University.
• Understand the importance of cultivating relationships within and outside of the organization to represent the CCUH 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.

APPLICATION DUE BY 6/18/24, 11:59 PM.

Student Co-Coordinators are responsible for communicating with the Program Manager about the daily and long-term agendas, as well as leading their intern teammates through collaborative problem solving and hands on field activities. 

Many of SmartLandscape's Student Co-coordinators hold this position for a year or longer. The field and industry knowledge they acquire over this time makes them invaluable assets for the Student Interns. 

Meet our 2023-2024 Co-Coordinators!

Anthony La- 4th Year

"Being a co-coordinator has taught me two main things: what a leader is and how to be that leader. Starting off as an intern I was able to observe brilliant leadership in person and always wondered if I could learn to be the same. And it wasn’t until I had the opportunity to be a coco myself that I truly felt like I was on the path to being a leader. As coco I have learned how to lead many different groups of people through various projects and gained invaluable experience for my future career. It wasn’t easy, but by having the opportunities to push myself I was able to achieve my wish of becoming a leader and was able to set even higher goals for the future. For anyone who wishes to gain critical leadership skills in a supportive environment, this is the way to do it!"

Abigail Bleichner- 3rd Year

"Being a co-coordinator at SmartLandscape has been a valuable experience.  Learning about water conservation, efficiency, and policy will aid me in pursuing a professional career out of college.  As a co-coordinator, I have had the opportunity of working with professionals in the field which required me to step into the role as a leader and a communicator.  Working in a team with both my fellow co-coordinator and others, I have been able to continue working on skills that will aid me in future professions, such as management, problem solving, communication, and field experience."

Visit this link for more information on the Student Co-coordinator position.