Bookkeeper and Administrative Assistant

About Us: Urban Roots is a Saint Paul organization whose mission is to cultivate and empower youth through nature, healthy food, and community. Urban Roots focuses its programs on the East Side of Saint Paul, MN and our vision is a world where all communities have unlimited access to nature and healthy food.  We place the tools of personal and community development in the hands of young people and families.
Over the past 53 years, Urban Roots has provided a range of community development services in Minneapolis, Saint Paul and southern Minnesota, including architecture, urban planning, economic development, and organizational development—with a common thread of empowerment, engagement, and innovation. Since 1996, we’ve operated our food and environmental programs on the East Side of Saint Paul, engaging thousands of under-resourced youth ages 14-21 in education, training, and work projects that provide service to the community, develop young leaders, and improve health and the environment. We offer three programs to engage and support youth in paid internships and educational opportunities—Market Garden, Cook Fresh, and Conservation.

Position Summary:

Urban Roots is seeking a detail-oriented and organized individual to fill the role of Bookkeeper and Administrative Assistant. This hybrid position will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and providing comprehensive administrative support to ensure the smooth operation of our programs and initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in bookkeeping and administrative functions, with a passion for supporting youth development and community engagement.This is a full time position of 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Compensation:

• Starting at $21.48/hr ($44,669/year), DOQ
• This is a hybrid position where employees can work from home and from the office.
• Paid holiday, vacation and sick time.
• Health insurance and retirement savings plan with employer contribution to both.
• Professional development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

Bookkeeping (50%), Reports to Accounting Manager:

• Maintain accurate records of financial transactions, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and general ledger entries.
• Reconcile and balance accounts on a regular basis to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Assist in preparing financial reports and statements as required.
• Assist in budget preparation and monitoring, providing relevant financial data to support decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with applicable financial regulations and organizational policies.
• Assist the Accounting Manager to support annual audits and other financial reviews.
• Assist with tracking grant expenditures, preparing grant invoicing and ensuring compliance with grant requirements.
• Assist with special projects and other duties as assigned by the Accounting Manager

Administrative Support (50%), Reports to Executive Director:

• Provide administrative support to various departments and programs within the organization.
• General office duties such as answering and directing phone calls and inquiry emails, maintaining our file system and taking detailed minutes at staff meetings.
• Handle routine correspondence and respond to requests for information in a timely and professional manner.
• Assist Development Manager in coordination of solicitation mailings and management of print and digital mailing lists.Process donations and gift acknowledgements. 
• Manage donor database, including maintaining records of donor information, donations, and history of engagement with Urban Roots, in addition to regular data quality improvements.
• Assist Executive Director with some grant administration, including maintaining a grants calendar.
• Assist with special projects and other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in accounting, business administration, or a related field; or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in bookkeeping and administrative roles, preferably within a nonprofit organization.
• Proficiency in accounting software, CRM systems, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
• Experience with Quickbooks Online and Salesforce preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Familiarity with nonprofit financial management and reporting is a plus.
• A commitment to Urban Roots’ mission and values, which include collaboration, inclusion, stewardship and experiential learning.

Working Conditions:

• This position operates in a professional office environment.
• Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional evening or weekend hours for special events.
• Some local travel may be required.

To apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and 2 professional references to Hayley Ball at hayleyball@urbanrootsmn.org. The deadline for applications is Febraury 28, 2025.

Urban Roots is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to build a staff reflective of our values of equity and inclusion with regard to race, culture, ethnicity, class religion, physical ability, age,  gender, gender identity and sexual orientation. Urban Roots is committed to fostering the leadership of people of color, women, Native and indigenous communities, LGBTQ people, immigrants, and others living in marginalized communities.