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Neighborhood Forestry Engagement Assistant

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Neighborhood Forestry Engagement Assistant

Salary

$24.94 Hourly

Location

Rochester MN 55904, MN

Job Type

Regular FT

Job Number

20250076

Department

Parks and Recreation

Division

PR Parks Forestry

Opening Date

09/25/2025

Closing Date

10/3/2025 11:59 PM Central

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The City of Rochester welcomes applications for:

Neighborhood Forestry Engagement Coordinator

Grant funded position that is limited term in nature.

The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.

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.

Pay Rate: 2025 starting hourly rate is $24.94 with advancement to $31.31.

Applications will be accepted until October 3rd at 11:59 PM.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

*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.

*Ensure project goals are being met in coordination with the City Forester.

+ 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.

*Coordinate tree planning events and assist with forestry and vegetation management.

+ 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.

*Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

+ High School diploma or the equivalent (GED)

+ At least 18 years of age

+ Valid driver's license

Desirable Qualifications

+ 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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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.)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT SUMMARY (https://www.rochestermn.gov/home/showdocument?id=36357&t=637987529126409989)

01

The following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application and resume. You must be honest and accurate in answering the supplemental questions and do not type "see resume". You may also be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview for this position. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. Do you understand and agree with this statement?

+ Yes

+ No

02

What is your preferred name?

03

Which of the following best describes your level of education?

+ High School Diploma or equivalent G.E.D

+ Less than 2 years of post-secondary training

+ Completion of a 2 year program or degree

+ Completion of a 4 program or degree or higher

+ None of the above

04

Other than your High School Diploma/G.E.D, which of the following best describes the field of study for your degree?

+ Landscape Management

+ Natural Resources

+ Horticulture

+ Arboriculture

+ Urban Forestry

+ A field of study closely related to the above

+ My degree is in an area NOT related to any of the above

+ N/A - I do not have a degree

05

Which of the following best describes your years of experience with community outreach/organization?

+ No Experience

+ Less than 1 year of experience

+ More than 1 year, but less than 3 years

+ More than 3 years, but less than 5 years

+ More than 5 years

06

Which of the following best describes your years of experience performing preventative care, pruning, tree planting, or related duties?

+ No Experience

+ Less than 1 year

+ More than 1 year, but less than 3 years

+ More than 3 years, but less than 5 years

+ More than 5 years

07

Which of the following best describes your year of employment experience performing customer service or administrative office duties?

+ No Experience

+ Less than 1 year

+ More than 1 year, but less than 3 years

+ More than 3 years, but less than 5 years

+ More than 5 years

08

Do you have a valid driver's license?

+ Yes

+ No

09

Are you able to understand and speak fluently a language other than English?

+ Yes

+ No

10

Please list which languages other than English you are able to understand and speak.

11

Tell us how your professional, educational and lived experiences would help you be successful in this role.

12

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation which may include, but not limited to: verification of employment and educational records, identification verification, driver's license record and a criminal history?

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

City of Rochester

Address

201 4th Street SE Rochester, Minnesota, 55904

Phone

(507) 328-2555

Website

https://www.rochestermn.gov/employment

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