Environmental Volunteer Groups Coordinator

Summary

What You'll Do

• Coordinate, schedule, permit, and lead volunteer group service projects within the Environmental Stewardship division in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Purchase and distribute supplies, tools, and materials to ensure successful Environmental Stewardship Volunteer Programming.
• Promote and recognize volunteer group activities through a variety of methods including recruitment fairs, community meetings, social media, MPRB website, web-based listing services, community-based promotions, presentations, and relationship-building with partner organizations.
• Respond courteously and in a timely manner to public inquiries or administrative requests related to volunteer programming.
• Track and report group project data including group requests, groups served, number of volunteers, hours of service, contact information, service locations, volunteer satisfaction assessments, and other relevant data that is integral the programs’ effectiveness.
• Work in partnership to support MPRB Volunteer Stewardship and Community Garden Programming, including but not limited to attending events; assisting with plant deliveries; building relationships; promoting gardening activities; overseeing supplies, tools, and materials; assisting with the planning and staffing of the annual volunteer appreciation open house; and attending annual racial equity training with volunteer community garden leads.
• Assist MPRB in identifying and addressing the park and recreation needs of underserved and under-represented communities.

What To Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences (horticulture, natural resources, environmental studies, ecology, or related field).
• Professional work experience in horticulture or related field: two (2) years
• Experience in volunteer programming or related field: two (2) years
• An equivalent combination of related experience, education, and training may be considered.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
• First Aid and CPR Certifications within six (6) months of hire

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
• The physical ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stand, walk, drive, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, see, and perform repetitive motions.
• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle as incumbents are subject to local travel both to and from work locations.
• Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.
• The ability to remain in a sitting or standing position for extended periods of time.
• The incumbent may be required to traverse on rough, uneven terrain, as well as wet and slippery surfaces.
• Ability to demonstrate and perform outdoor land care skills such as planting, weeding, pruning, mulching.
• Work is performed in a normal office environment 45% to 65% of the time and 35% to 55% of the time is leading programs in the field, attending meetings, scouting sites for projects and gathering supplies. These percentages will vary by season. Outdoor work in all non-inclement weather conditions as needed.

• Current knowledge of Park and Recreation functions, volunteerism, Horticulture and/or Natural Resources Management.
• Ability to survey and evaluate MPRB volunteer programs through data tracking and reporting.
• Effective and direct communication skills, both written and oral to include social media posts, instructing volunteers, promotional govDeliveries, and public facing reports.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, across work groups and with corporate and non-profit partners.
• Outstanding customer service principles and practices for a diverse customer base.
• Creative problem solving and work prioritization to successfully achieve goals in a busy and varied work environment.
• Comfortable working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and on a range of tasks related to natural resources management, garden care, and landscape maintenance and the ability to instruct volunteers in these tasks.
• Outstanding customer service principles and practices and standards for a diverse customer base.

Additional Information

Selection Process:

To apply for this full-time civil service position, applicants must complete an online application with supplemental questions at www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs. Late applications will be rejected.

What steps the selection process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your training and experience based on application materials and supplemental questions (30%).
• We conduct a structured panel interview (oral exam) (70%).
• We calculate your civil service score based on the above components and place you on the eligible list if all testing components are passed (passing score for each component and as an overall score is 70.00 or above). Eligible list will expire in three (3) months.
• We refer the top finalists to the hiring manager for an interview.
• References, including verification of employment and work performance, may be considered.
• We conduct a background check. Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, the applicant will be asked to sign an informed consent allowing the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to obtain their criminal history in connection with the positions sought.
• Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, applicants will also need to successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination paid for by the MPRB.

Please note that HR reserves the right to limit the number of people invited to successive testing events.

The MPRB cares about the community and YOU! Here's how we show it.

For full-time benefited positions, the MPRB offers a competitive wage and benefits package including health care, dental, life and disability insurance as well as retirement and survivor benefits. Benefits are administered by the City of Minneapolis. We pride ourselves on a comprehensive benefits program that supports employees' health and financial well-being.

Programs, resources, and benefit eligibility varies based on position, average hours worked, location and length of service. For detailed benefits information, please visit the benefits page.

INSURANCE
Health insurance
Eligibility for benefits begins the first of the month following employment date. The MPRB offers eligible employees one plan design with a choice of six provider networks, allowing you to select the best option for you. Available plans include Medica Choice Passport, Medica Elect, VantagePlus with Medica, Park Nicollet First with Medica, Ridgeview Community Network powered by Medica, and Clear Value with Medica.
Enhanced mental health services
MPRB employees and their family members covered by MPRB’s medical plan will each have access to up to 20 visits for mental health services covered at 100%. The enhanced mental health benefits will include the first 10 office visits, including evaluations and diagnostic and treatment services, and 10 intensive outpatient program visits per year per person with an in-network or out-of-network provider at no charge. After the 20 visits, regular plan benefits and coverage will apply.
Employees Assistance Program
All MPRB employees – whether covered or not by the MPRB’s employee medical plan – have access to the employee assistance program, which provides confidential services to help employees and their family members deal with a wide array of issues. Employees can speak virtually or in-person with an EAP representative.
Dental insurance
The MPRB offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Minnesota and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance
The MPRB offers long-term disability insurance, which helps to replace income for employees who are unable to work as a result of illness or injury, and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.

BENEFITS
Paid time off
Our generous leave package includes vacation, paid sick leave, and 12 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday per year, which gives employees the opportunity to enhance their quality of life outside work. Amounts and accrual rates are based on years of experience and collective bargaining agreements.
Paid Parental Leave
MPRB employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or placement for adoption of a child.
Retirement
MPRB employees earn a pension and may choose to participate in additional retirement savings programs.

• Pension: The MPRB participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the MPRB both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits.
• Deferred compensation: Employees may choose to participate in pre-tax or after-tax savings plans through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).