The Department of the Arts offers a wide variety of certificate programs and courses, including post-baccalaureate credit-bearing (400-level), continuing education (CEU) credit, and non-credit bearing general interest courses. Courses within the Horticulture & Gardening program cover areas such as botany, taxonomy, irrigation, plant Identification, sustainable gardening practices, arboriculture and many more. UCLA Extension course and certificate programs offer students the opportunity to learn from highly qualified practitioners who are passionate about teaching and can impart knowledge within their field of expertise. Applications to teach are accepted throughout the year in order to fill immediate program needs and to increase the depth of the instructor pool.

Current Job Posting

Instructor openings are now available in the Horticulture & Gardening Program. Qualified applicants possessing current knowledge, certification and teaching experience in the following topic areas are encouraged to apply.

Arboriculture Practices

Advanced Arboriculture

Classes may be online or in person. Classes held in person meet once a week for 11 weeks, evenings from 7-10 p.m. online classes are asynchronous.

Specific Instructor Duties

• Develop and/or update course syllabus in consultation with the UCLA Extension Program Director as assigned.
• Prepare and deliver course materials and learning assessments in assigned format.
• Utilize CMS (course management system) Canvas system as a course support platform in in-person courses, and as the delivery platform in online and hybrid courses.
• Communicate course objectives and specific learning outcomes to students and review the grading policies of the course.
• Evaluate student achievement of specific learning outcomes and assign grades.
• Post final student grades to the transcript system in a timely manner no later than 2 weeks after the last class meeting.
• Respond to student questions and learning needs in a timely manner.
• Communicate with Program Director and Program Manager in a timely manner.
• Stay current regarding the professional body of knowledge you will be teaching
• Complete required administrative tasks in a timely manner including: completing all new hire paperwork, submitting updated quarterly syllabus, posting bio and photo on the UCLA Extension website, accepting quarterly contract, submitting required textbook orders, passing all UC mandatory training (online) and communicating classroom AV needs.
• Employ culturally competent teaching methodologies in the classroom inclusive of both domestic and international student populations.
• Respond to student inquiries about final grades, consult with Program Director as needed.
• Maintain a record of final grades for up to 13 months following the last class session.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years as an ISA Certified Arborist.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
• Teaching experience preferred, especially adult learners.
• Experience designing curriculum and measuring student performance preferred.
• Must be committed to the highest level of academic standards and integrity.
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficiency in or willingness to learn the use of instructional technology and online teaching tools.
• Active affiliation and participation in relevant professional associations.
• Proficient with computers and software such as MS Word, MS Excel, and other portable digital devices

Special Conditions of Employment

Instructor compensation for this course: Hourly per contact hour depending on qualifications (33 contact hours)

UCLA requires all employees to take sexual harassment training, cyber security training, and ethics training on a cyclical basis as a condition of employment.

Instructors are hired on a quarterly basis.

Because Extension is a division within UCLA, all Extension Program instructors and courses are formally approved in accordance with University and California Academic Senate regulations. Eligibility to teach a course is contingent upon formal academic approval. Once approved, teaching assignments are “by agreement.” The Instructor’s Contract outlines course deliverables, the course schedule, and compensation terms, subject to Extension policies and procedures. UCLA Extension makes no commitment to hire an instructor until it has receive an accepted Instructor Contract. Should the course section an instructor plans to teach be canceled for any reason, the Instructor Contract, including rights to compensation for future section meetings, are void. Remuneration is for classroom hours only and does not include time spent for course preparation or other events.

In an effort to promote and maintain a healthy environment for our students, visitors and employees, UCLA is a smoke-free site. Smoking is prohibited within the boundaries of all UCLA owned, occupied, leased, and associated building and facilities.