Help Others Build Tree Care Skills for Economic Opportunity

Tree Trust’s mission is to transform lives and landscapes by engaging people to build skills for meaningful careers, inspiring people to plant trees, and making our community a greener, healthier place to live. 

Tree Trust YouthBuild serves young people ages 16-21 who are experiencing barriers to their education and employment. Youth learn about carpentry and tree care while working on breaking down the barriers they face and are provided with assistance in finding post program employment both during the program period and a yearlong follow up period.

The Tree Trust YouthBuild Tree Care Trainer invests in the lives of young people by mentoring youth to develop marketable employment and leadership skills. Trainers teach young adults tree care while ensuring the safe and timely completion of tree care and landscaping projects.

What You Will Get from This Role:

• This is more than just a paycheck. You will directly influence the lives of young adults striving to build skills for meaningful careers.
• Pay range is $19 - $25/hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
• The opportunity to work with a mission driven team, with supportive leadership, while also having appropriate autonomy and freedom to make decisions, create processes and systems, and take initiative and ownership.
• An excellent benefits package includes Hybrid work schedules, Vacation, Sick, 10 paid holidays, 401(k), 3 Health Insurance options, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Voluntary additional life insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Disability, and an FSA
• A collaborative, supportive, and productive yet fun work culture. In a recent employee survey 90%+ of respondents reported that "I make a significant contribution through the work I do,” “My co-workers treat me with respect,” and “I understand how the work I do aligns with Tree Trust’s mission.”

Tree Trust actively seeks to build a staff that reflects the diversity of the population and community it serves, and that’s why we strongly encourage people of color to apply. 

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Essential Functions:

Tree Care

• Deliver tree care credential training in alignment with Tree Care Industry Association curriculum ensuring participants achieve credentials.
• Train, coordinate and supervise a diverse crew of young adults, ages 16 – 21, in tree care.
• Work alongside other Trainers to deliver on field related requirements
• Establish and maintain a safe worksite. This includes providing safety training to students, identifying hazards, and ensuring use of personal protective equipment.
• Maintain clean worksite, tools, and equipment, and keep appropriate staff updated on equipment and project needs.
• Develop supportive relationships with crew members, serving as a positive role model promoting individual growth.
• Enforce program policies and take disciplinary action while maintaining established rapport, motivation, and enforcement of high expectations.
• Develop, facilitate, and assist in employment and educational training.
• Participate in service learning, training days, recognition activities and staff meetings, as required.
• Transport youth and equipment between worksites.
• Adhere to program funding requirements.
• Assist with YouthBuild Construction operations as needed

Recruitment

• Assist in recruiting participants including interviewing, developing and implementing program orientation, and completing new hire paperwork.

Leadership and Life Skills Training Support

• Support Program Manager in Leadership and Life Skills implementation.

Placement Year Student Support

• Work with other staff to assist crew in meeting goals, including achievement of high school diploma or equivalent, preparedness for future education and employment, and recognition and utilization of personal goals, abilities, and resources.
• Assist with job placements during post programming year including career discovery, resume development, job search, mock interviewing, and other Employment Readiness Training.
• Maintain monthly contact with past participants (as assigned) and provide additional follow-up as necessary.

Administration

• Complete and maintain documentation of daily events, including attendance, disciplinary action, youth progress evaluation and worksite project data.
• Track participant attendance and follow up with absent participants. Work with participants when attendance issues arise.
• Maintain and track participants time/point sheets.
• Other duties as assigned.

Participant Service Requirements

• Mentor BIPOC participants and participants with all types of employment barriers, including participants with varied ability including Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, trauma, experience with the criminal justice system and substance abuse issues, and from underserved areas or living with low income.
• Model a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to quality.
• Provide deliberate and effective feedback to participants to foster continuous development within an employment training setting.
• Set appropriate boundaries with participants, staying focused on program mission and goals.
• Respond to challenging situations with composure and good judgement, modeling professional employment behaviors.

Required Qualifications/Skills:

• Associate degree in urban forestry, human services, or a related field and one or more years of relevant work experience; or a high school diploma/GED and three or more years of relevant work experience.
• Enjoy teaching basic tree care techniques. Teaching topics will include tree identification, proper tree planting, tree pruning, workplace norms and expectations, the use of personal protective equipment, daily work plan expectations, safety, and recognizing hazards.
• One or more years assisting youth with diverse backgrounds in developing a variety of personal, professional skills and experience with strength-based assessment preferred.
• Enthusiasm, flexibility, positive attitude, and a commitment to youth development.
• Ability to promote individual growth in youth from diverse backgrounds with varying abilities.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Valid MN driver’s license and clean driving record as determined by our insurance carrier and a motor vehicle check.
• Reliable personal vehicle and valid insurance.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.

Work Environment:  Job will require working outdoors in all types of weather conditions and exposure to elements. This can include heavy to moderate noise, extreme proximity to moving equipment or machinery, proximity to electrical energy, exposure to tools and machines used in landscaping industries. Job will also include work in an office setting to include screen/keyboard use and sitting.

Physical demands:  Physical demands require constantly moving, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Frequently operates machinery and will use hands/fingers and legs to operate, activate, use, prepare, inspect, place, detect and position materials. Frequently required to stand and walk, lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Constantly required to communicate with ability to talk and hear. Job will also include work in an office setting to include screen/keyboard use and sitting.

Tree Trust's Core Values:

• Professional – We teach the highest standards and operate with excellence.  
• Integrity – We do the right thing even when it is hard. 
• Commitment – We take initiative and deliver on our promises. 
• Resilient – We adapt to achieve success.   
• Stewardship – We treat people with respect and take care of our resources.