Job Purpose: To transform lives and landscapes by engaging youth and young adults to build skills for meaningful careers, achieve family-supporting skills in green careers to create economic opportunity and equity while making our community a greener, healthier place to live.

Job Summary: Tree Trust's Branches Program offers 10-weeks of paid training to young people, ages 18-28. In the program, participants learn and develop transferrable professional skills and hands-on training in landscaping and tree care. Participants can earn industry credentials and ultimately connect with green industry employers after completing the program. Every season offers participants a unique scope of work focused on tree care and landscape maintenance. The Program Trainer will teach, supervise, motivate and work alongside program participants with barriers to employment* with a safe, educational and professional approach. The Program Trainer ensures a high quality on the job training experience through completion of community-based projects and industry recognized curriculum. Projects may include (but not be limited to) tree care, lawn care, property maintenance and landscape construction.

Essential Functions:

• Provide teaching, leadership, supervision, guidance, support, and motivation to young adults on crews.
• Teach industry-recognized curriculum ensuring participants achieve various industry-recognized credentials and receive related instruction on green careers and best practices for equipment use.
• Train program participants on field responsibilities to prepare them for entry-level positions in the green industry. This includes tree care (tree identification, pruning, felling, planting, and inspecting) grounds maintenance (mowing, snow removal, mulching, seeding, watering, weeding, and trimming) and landscape construction (measuring, cutting, joining, installing various materials and systems).
• Train and work with participants on landscape construction projects as assigned (decking, timber stairs, retaining walls, benches, box gardens, boardwalks, paver rings, fencing, erosion control.)
• Oversee worksite safety including safety training, identifying hazards, and consistent use of personal protective equipment.
• Mentor participants with consistency and fairness while enforcing high expectations and program policies.
• Organize work projects and coordinate field tasks for the crew in conjunction with the project supervisor.
• Accomplish work goals to the satisfaction of the sponsors, supervisors, and project proposals.
• Accurately maintain, complete, and submit paperwork and reports in a timely manner, including crew time sheets, attendance, accident/ incident reports, evaluations, disciplinary actions, project records, receipts, and others as assigned.
• Transport young adults and equipment safely between worksites.
• Work collaboratively with other Branches trainers, program staff and Tree Trust departments (I.e. community forestry and landscape services) to fill in for and/or assist one another as needed.

Participant Service Requirements

• Act as a role model for and manage the daily work and training of 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:

• Experience in landscaping and/or tree care for one or more years.
• Ability to teach basic arboriculture, landscaping, and grounds maintenance concepts to participants including tree planting, pruning, mowing, snow removal, graffiti/trash removal, equipment operation, construction, etc.
• Ability to develop technical skills in tree care, landscaping property maintenance and landscape construction.
• Associates 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 two or more years of relevant industry experience.
• Ability to successfully listen, give feedback, and motivate young adults from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent judgment, risk management skills, and calm decision-making ability in challenging situations.
• Valid MN driver’s license with clean driving record as determined by our insurance carrier.
• Ability to transport up to 15 participants between pickup locations with a company provided vehicle.
• Ability to pass a criminal and motor vehicle background check.

Preferred:

• Prior experience working with or supervising young adults from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience both supervising and leading people (3 or more people) and teams of diverse backgrounds, language, ability, education, and experience.
• Tree care or landscaping industry certification(s) such as ISA Certified Arborist, MNLA Certified Professional or similar.
• Demonstrated experience in young adult education instruction.

Physical Requirements: Regularly/daily 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. Repetitive use of hands, arms and fingers including shoveling, raking, handling tools/machines which vibrate, grip and swing tools using force. 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.

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. Sturdy/closed toe footwear required. All tools will be provided by Tree Trust.

Tree Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer.