Neighborhood Forestry Engagement Assistant na City of Rochester, MN
City of Rochester, MN · Rochester, Estados Unidos Da América · Onsite
- Junior
- Escritório em Rochester
About the Department
We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.
It takes us all working together
Nature of Work
The Neighborhood Forestry Engagement Assistant works closely with the City Forester, Forestry Supervisor, and RNeighbors Executive Director to support the completion of grant work centered around growing Rochester’s urban canopy. Responsibilities will include community engagement and outreach, education, reporting, tree-planting, and forestry and vegetation management, including inspections. A successful candidate must be able to interact with the public in a professional, courteous, and helpful manner, and have a passion for environmental sustainability.
Limited Term:
This position is funded through a grant that is anticipated to complete by May 2028. Once the grant work has been completed, continued employment is contingent upon the availability of allocated funds, as well as favorable performance by the incumbent. At the end of this time, the position will be eliminated unless the City elects continuation.
Position Duties
*Assist with community engagement, outreach, and education for the free tree program.
- Communicate with residents, community groups, schools, and faith-based organizations about the free tree program.
- Attend community events or conduct outreach through door-knocking to promote the free tree program.
- Educate homeowners on tree location options to maximize energy savings, reduce urban heat, and manage stormwater.
- Help develop and deliver accessible educational materials (digital and print) on tree care basics, including watering, mulching, and pruning.
- Assist with organizing, supporting, and putting together neighborhood-based volunteer teams for tree planting projects and ongoing tree maintenance.
- Provide project updates via social media, photos, videos, flyers, etc.
- Participate in project meetings to provide status updates, communicate timelines, and track goals.
- Maintain records for project costs and reports.
- Assist with writing grant required reports.
- Attend RNeighbors committee meetings.
- Assist with finding volunteers for tree-planting events.
- Coordinate general training and logistics for each event.
- Perform tree inspection and identify any infected trees.
- Conduct tree inventories; maintain and update data collection related to the inventories.
- Look for nuisance tree issues on both public and private property, and issue and monitor the respective violations.
Minimum Qualifications
- High School diploma or the equivalent (GED)
- At least 18 years of age
- Valid driver's license
- Experience in community outreach/organization OR working with diverse communities
- Experience or interest in urban forestry, horticulture, environmental science, or sustainability
- Relevant coursework in Landscape Management, Natural Resources, Horticulture, Arboriculture, Urban Forestry or closely related field
- Bilingual or multilingual
Other Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of: community organization and outreach; project management; urban forestry; best practices of general grounds maintenance; comprehension of common tress and plants; data entry; Microsoft Office products; and standard office practices.
Skill in: providing excellent customer service; communicating with diverse populations in-person, on the phone and via email; use of standard operating equipment; maintain records; and managing multiple tasks.
Ability to: deal tactfully with the general public and program participants in person, on the phone and via email; understand and carry out oral and written assignments; handle frequent interruptions; establish effective working relationships; follow instruction and prescribed procedure; be patient and flexible; be a self-starter; and have strong organizational skills.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.
In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
While in the field, the role is best described as Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.
Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:
Continuous demands: sitting, fine dexterity, standing, walking, reaching, handling, bending
Frequent demands: reaching, handling, bending, pushing/pulling, kneeling, crouching
Occasional demands: lifting, carrying, crawling, twisting, climbing, balancing, foot controls
Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, touch
Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:
Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals
Work outdoors (no effective protection from weather)
Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites)
Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, tractors, mowers)
Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, etc.)
