Careers

Current Openings

Government Relations Associate         

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time

REPORTS TO: Government Relations Director                                           

LOCATION:  St. Paul, MN

Summary

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness (Friends) is seeking a Government Relations Associate to assist the Government Relations Director and serve as a liaison for Friends to elected and other government officials at all levels, and with partners and allies, as well as supporters and the general public. This position will also help implement a legislative strategy that furthers Friends’ mission. This will include building grassroots support, identifying and implementing actions and communications to support Friends’ legislative and policy work, and staying knowledgeable about relevant existing and proposed legislation and regulatory or executive actions. The Government Relations Associate will also assist with Friends affiliated 501(c)4 organization, Friends of the Boundary Waters Action Network, which carries out political work to elect Boundary Waters champions to the State and U.S. Capitols. 

Primary Relationships
  • Reports to the Government Relations Director
  • Works effectively with all Friends’ staff and Board of Directors 
Responsibilities
  • Represents Friends at the Minnesota Legislature and United States Congress
  • Supports our work to build and manage strong relationships with elected officials and agencies at the state and federal level, as well as local governments and maintains these relationships both during and outside of the legislative sessions
  • Implement tactics and strategies for passing Friends’ legislation
  • Attends relevant coalition meetings, government committees and hearings, and events
  • Builds grassroots support for Friends’ issues and legislation, including working with Friends’ Citizen Action Network
  • Helps build and manage the Clean Water Coalition
  • Works with the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator to plan and implement events and other activities to support Friends legislative and policy goals, such as town halls, news conferences, and presentations. This also includes an annual Day at the Capitol for supporters to meet with their legislators.
  • Works closely with Communications staff to implement and develop advocacy campaigns
  • Maintains current knowledge of existing and proposed legislation and regulatory or executive actions that are relevant to the Friends’ mission
  • Works for the Friends affiliated 501(c)4 organization that performs political work, such as endorsing candidates and engaging our supporters and working to help elect Boundary Waters champions
Qualifications 
  • 1-3 years of experience in government relations, lobbying and/or working with elected officials or other relevant experience
  • Knowledge of legislative and executive processes
  • Experience communicating with and presenting to a variety of stakeholders, possibly including legislators and their staff, agencies, and other partners or the general public
  • Ability to communicate complex concepts through verbal and written communication
  • Attention to detail and strong follow-through
  • Ability to work independently as well as with a team
  • Excellent critical and strategic thinking skills
Compensation and Benefits
  • $55,000 – $60,000 per year salary
  • Paid vacation and sick leave, health and dental insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan
  • In addition to paid vacation and sick leave, the Friends provides a $600 stipend and five additional paid vacation days to each employee to take time off and recharge in the Boundary Waters or Quetico. 
  • Flexible working hours and hybrid in-person/remote working options
  • We encourage life-long learning and ongoing professional development

TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter, resume, and three references: 

Submit a cover letter, resume, and three references: 

Bree Sikorski
Operations Director
bree@friends-bwca.org

In the subject line of any electronic communication, please put “Government Relations Associate.”

Applications will be accepted until August 4, 2025.

At Friends, we have a clear vision to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay, and do their best work. Friends is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. 

Creative Content Creator and Social Media Manager      

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time

REPORTS TO: Communications Director                                           

LOCATION:  St. Paul, MN

Summary

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness is Minnesota’s leading organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and restoring the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the surrounding Quetico-Superior ecosystem. The Creative Content Creator and Social Media Manager will closely collaborate with the Communications Director and Digital Marketing Manager to optimize and spread the Friends’ core message to restore, protect, and preserve the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The primary focus of this role will involve creating compelling visual content and managing our social media presence. This position requires both creativity and technical skills — the ability to produce engaging visual content paired with effective social media management.

You will be working within a midsized organization, with a small team of passionate (and fun) people who are dedicated to preserving America’s most visited wilderness. This is a truly collaborative environment (we know that every place says this, but, really, this is). The ideal candidate will be creative, energetic, and up to date with the latest digital and social media trends.

Primary Relationships
  • The Creative Content Creator and Social Media Manager reports directly to the Communications Director.
  • The Creative Content Creator and Social Media Manager works effectively with other departments within the Friends, including Policy, Development, Operations, and Education.
Responsibilities

Content creation 50%

  • Create content such as written posts, video content, stories, graphics, layouts and edited images that reflect the organization’s voice, values and mission for the website, social media platforms and other mediums 
  • Produce video content for various organizational needs 
  • Create graphic designs for:
    • Events and promotional materials
    • Brochures and development materials
    • Newsletter layouts
    • Informational materials
    • Maps and illustrations
  • Design compelling visual content that supports the organization’s mission

Administrative

  • Share written summaries, photos, and videos of organizing activities with communications team for outreach and documentation purposes.
  • Support event planning and logistics, including setup and takedown for community events as needed.
  • Perform essential administrative tasks including thorough note-taking, data entry, timesheet completion, printing, and copying.

Social Media management and posting 30%

  • Help develop social media campaigns around key initiatives and events 
  • Create and schedule engaging content for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other channels 
  • Design eye-catching graphics and fun videos 
  • Post regularly to social media channels 
  • Monitor social media engagement and respond to community comments 
  • Cater content creation around Friends’ mission and goals, while reflecting the organization’s voice and brand 
  • Track and analyze social media metrics and trends
  • Research trending topics and hashtags relevant to wilderness protection 
  • Creatively amplify content on various social and digital platforms, and identify new emerging social platforms and tools to pursue 
  • Work with Digital Marketing Manager on paid campaigns

Other Duties (20%)

  • Help develop social media campaigns around key initiatives and events 
  • Create and schedule engaging content for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other channels 
  • Design eye-catching graphics and fun videos 
  • Post regularly to social media channels 
  • Monitor social media engagement and respond to community comments 
  • Cater content creation around Friends’ mission and goals, while reflecting the organization’s voice and brand 
  • Track and analyze social media metrics and trends
  • Research trending topics and hashtags relevant to wilderness protection 
  • Creatively amplify content on various social and digital platforms, and identify new emerging social platforms and tools to pursue 
  • Work with Digital Marketing Manager on paid campaigns
Qualifications 

Required:

  • 2 – 3 years of experience in a similar role
  • Strong background in graphic design 
  • Proficiency in Adobe Products – InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere or similar products such as Canva
  • Experience with video editing software 
  • Experience with a range of content creation, such as photography, video production, graphics and image editing (for social media and more) 
  • Proficiency in creating PowerPoint or other presentation software 
  • Social media experience posting on an organization’s platforms and managing digital marketing/communications efforts 
  • Expansive knowledge and best practices of social media platforms and tools such as Facebook Live, Instagram Stories, TikTok and an eagerness to keep up to date on the evolving digital landscape 
  • Knowledge of AI tools and applications for content creation is a plus 
  • Exceptional oral and written communication skills and copywriting experience 
  • Ability to meet deadlines and work well in a team environment 
  • Ability to research, generate solutions, solve problems, and make recommendations in a thoughtful, creative, and timely manner 
  • Self-directed, productive and efficient with an ability to prioritize, multi-task and adapt to achieve desired results; adjust workload and deadlines as priorities change 
  • As we are a small non-profit, there is considerable overlap between “departments” so the ability to “wear different hats,” and collaborate and communicate effectively with others is a must 
  • Ability to be innovative and to stay current on new technologies and marketing tactics, and be informed on emerging trends in the world of digital, content, social and interactive marketing 
  • Passion for environmental issues, conservation and preserving wild spaces
Compensation and Benefits
  • $60,000 – $65,000 per year
  • Paid vacation and sick leave, health and dental insurance, and a 403(b)-retirement plan.
  • In addition to paid vacation and sick leave, Friends provides a $600 stipend and five additional paid vacation days to each employee to take time off and recharge in the Boundary Waters.
  • Flexible working hours and hybrid in-person/remote working options
  • We encourage life-long learning and ongoing professional development.

TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter and resume. Please also include a link to your online portfolio or at least five samples work that are representative of your skills and ability to succeed in this role. Send to: 

Bree Sikorski
Operations Director
bree@friends-bwca.org

In the subject line of any electronic communication, please put “Creative Content Creator and Social Media Manager.”

Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2025.

At Friends, we have a clear vision to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay, and do their best work. Friends is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. 

Opening – Board of Directors

Summary

The Board of Directors determines the mission, strategic direction, and programming for Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness (“Friends”). A Director ensures and nurtures adequate human and financial resources and actively monitors and evaluates the Executive Director’s performance and the Friends’ financial results. A Director approves and systematically implements policies to ensure achievement of the mission of the Friends.

Primary Relationship
  • Reports to the Board Chair
  • Works closely with the Executive Director and other staff to ensure the achievement of the mission
  • Works closely with and gets to know other Board and committee members and builds collegial working relationships that contribute to consensus
  • Serves as a spokesperson outside the organization and delivers consistent, compelling messages on mission, programs, and finances, and encourages civic participation
Leadership Responsibilities
  • Knows and commits to the Friends’ mission, vision, and values
  • Provides leadership continuity by ensuring Board succession, including identifying, recruiting, and orienting new members
  • Is knowledgeable about Friends’ policies, programs, and operations, and oversees their implementation and evaluation
  • Is accessible and responsive to other Directors and staff
  • Actively seeks out financial and other resources for the organization
Management Responsibilities
  • Engages in strategic planning
  • Approves written policies and procedures governing the work and actions of the Friends’ employees and volunteers
  • Hires, sets the compensation for, and annually evaluates the performance of the Executive Director
  • Reviews the overall compensation structure for staff and establishes policies on employee benefits, vacation, and sick leave
Fiscal Responsibilities
  • Approve the annual operating budget; at least four times per year assesses the organization’s financial performance
  • Assists in developing fundraising plans and actively participates in fundraising initiatives each year
  • Makes an annual gift to the Friends as circumstances allow. There is no minimum contribution amount, but the Friends should be in a Director’s top three charities for annual giving.
  • Ensure that an internal review of the Friends’ compliance with legal, regulatory, and financial reporting requirements is conducted annually
Board Meetings and Committees Responsibilities
  • Regularly prepares for, attends, and participates in Board meetings
  • Participates actively in at least one Board committee
Committee Chair Description
  • The Committee Chair presides or assigns someone to preside at all meeting of the respective committee. The Committee Chair has general supervision, direction, and active management of the committee’s affairs, working in partnership with staff and volunteers. The Committee Chair reports to the Board Chair.