Colorado Nonprofit Association
Field Crew Assistant
Position Summary:
The Field Crew Assistant is an exciting new, temporary role in The Park People’s TreeForce program. They will work closely with the other TreeForce staff members to fulfill the purpose of the program: to provide career readiness and tree industry skills training to connect individuals facing barriers to employment with meaningful opportunities to begin a career in urban forestry.
During the Spring and Fall 2025 TreeForce cohorts, the Field Crew Assistant will help prepare for and help facilitate the day-to-day components of programming, including driving vehicles and supporting crews of up to 18 participants in classroom learning sessions and fieldwork on both public and private property. In between cohorts, the Field Crew Assistant will help support other Park People fieldwork as needed along with Field Crew Supervisors, interns, other staff, or contractors. This position requires basic knowledge about trees (biology, tree ID, introductory pruning, and best practices in planting and care), effective group facilitation skills, and operational/logistics know-how.
Fieldwork will take place mostly in climate change-vulnerable Denver neighborhoods with low tree canopy cover. Pre-apprentices (our program participants) are recruited from underserved populations, including formerly incarcerated individuals. The Field Crew Assistant should have experience and openness to working with people facing barriers to employment across all lines of diversity. The Field Crew Assistant must be able to work independently and with a team. As a TreeForce staff member, they will report to the Workforce Development Manager and work closely with the Field Crew Supervisors on all program elements.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Support the training of pre-apprentices and foster safe working conditions for crews.
- Document details of fieldwork and participant activities and report back to the Workforce Development Manager regularly.
- Perform and assist with necessary urban forestry tasks including small tree clearance and structural pruning, tree planting, and tree healthcare assessments in the right-of-way, on public property, and on private property.
- Maintain tools and trucks’ cleanliness, monitor inventory of tools, identify equipment needed.
- Drive vehicles with pre-apprentices and/or equipment.
- Support crews during primary cohort training period and during extension work opportunities.
- Offer support and encouragement for all pre-apprentices throughout the program and serve as a role model by demonstrating punctuality, professionalism, and high standards.
- Work with the Workforce Development Manager and Field Crew Supervisors to coordinate program activities and logistics, from shed organization to scheduling tree planting with residents.
- Engage in a professional manner with partners and stakeholders, including partner organizations providing supportive services to pre-apprentices.
- Support other Park People programs by conducting fieldwork during TreeForce downtime.
Desired Qualifications:
- Higher education OR outdoor work experience in a relevant field (arboriculture, horticulture, urban forestry, restoration projects, environmental science, biology, landscaping, or ecology)
- Experience being a leader and mentor
- Ability to identify common Front Range and urban tree species and associated pests, diseases, and environmental factors that affect young trees
- Ability to lift 50+ pounds, stand, crouch, and conduct other movements associated with manual labor activities throughout the day
- Ability to safely drive large, non-CDL vehicles in the city and on local highways
- Competent in basic Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams), Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Gmail)
- Ability to manage activities and conflicts calmly and in a professional manner under minimal supervision
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Reliable and punctual
- Passion for trees, nature, the outdoors, and the ways our communities are interconnected
Required Qualifications, Licenses, or Certifications:
- Valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance (required)