Teaching Assistants and Readers

Teaching Assistant/Reader Positions

Each quarter, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering hires graduate students to serve as Teaching Assistants (TAs) and Readers in support of undergraduate instruction. Applications are submitted through a Google Form during the designated application period (see below).

To make it easier for students to apply across disciplines, the College of Engineering coordinates application timelines so all participating departments open their TA and Reader applications simultaneously each quarter. The application link will only be available during the application window. 

Eligibility

• Minimum qualifications for ASE positions are listed on the UC Davis Graduate Studies website.
• In addition to meeting the campus eligibility requirements as outlined on the UC Davis Graduate Studies website, departments may have additional general eligibility requirements, including but not limited to:
  • An appointee must be willing and able to work 20 hours a week (50%) or 10 hours a week (25%) during the following time periods: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • An appointee must be available and willing to work for the full service period of the appointment (start of the quarter through when final grades are due).
  • All students must complete the TA Orientation to be hired as a TA. Please visit the UC Davis Center for Educational Effectiveness website for updates on registration for the in-person and online components.
  • An appointee must demonstrate adequate ability to comprehend, write and speak the English language.
  • Students employed as TAs and AIs must meet the Language Proficiency Requirement as outlined by UC Davis Graduate Studies policy.

Helpful Links

• TA Orientation (Mandatory)
• Language Proficiency Requirement (Schedule TOEP exams prior to the application timeframe to be eligible)
• Additional Resources from the Center for Educational Effectiveness
• Graduate Studies Student Academic Employment
• Academic Unit Shared Service Center: Pay Frequency and Timesheet Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to complete the application if I already have a TA or Reader offer?
• Yes. All students interested in a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Reader appointment must submit an application, even if you have already discussed a position with a faculty member or have received a tentative offer. We encourage you to complete the application as thoroughly as possible.
• What if I'm not eligible to be a TA or Reader?

• If you do not meet the listed eligibility requirements but would still like to be considered, please contact Lauren Worrell to determine whether you may qualify for a Petition for Exception to Policy.

  If you have questions about the language proficiency requirement for Teaching Assistants, please review the TA/AI Language Proficiency Requirement before applying.

• How should I answer the course preference question?
• List the courses you would most like to support as a Teaching Assistant or Reader in order of preference. For each course, include comments explaining why you are a good fit, such as relevant coursework, teaching experience, technical skills, or other qualifications. These comments help faculty make hiring decisions.
• What is a Graduate Tutor?
• Graduate Tutors work with individual students or small groups to support learning through tutoring and academic assistance. They may hold scheduled drop-in hours and help students better understand course material. Unlike Teaching Assistants and Readers, Graduate Tutors do not grade assignments or exams and do not work under the direct supervision of a faculty member.
• Can students outside of CEE apply?
• Yes. Graduate students from other departments are welcome to apply. However, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering gives hiring priority to CEE graduate students, so appointments for students outside the department are uncommon.