Careers | Friends of the Boundary Waters

Current Openings

Climate Change and Conservation Manager
Community Organizer
Board of Directors

CLIMATE CHANGE AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

LOCATION: St. Paul, MN

Summary

Friends of the Boundary Waters (Friends) is seeking a Climate Change and Conservation Manager. Friends has recently received a grant from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) to fund a project entitled, The Impacts of Climate Change on Northeastern Minnesota. The Climate Change and Conservation Manager will oversee implementation of this project.

Background on the ENRTF Grant

Climate change is rapidly increasing temperatures in the Quetico-Superior ecosystem of northeastern Minnesota, impacting the habitat and wildlife of the region. A range of government, tribal, academic, and private entities have conducted studies and other research relating to existing and future impacts of climate change on the region; however, this information is siloed and fragmented across multiple databases and sources. As a consequence, it is difficult to develop a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of climate change on the region’s habitat and wildlife and assess appropriate responses to these impacts.

To address these challenges, through the ENRTF grant, Friends will:

Engage local, state, and federal governments; tribal governments; academic institutions; and nonprofit organizations to collect and aggregate studies, research, management plans and other data relating to the impacts of climate change on the habitat and wildlife of northeastern Minnesota and identify gaps in this data.
Develop a publicly available, web-based, electronic database of studies, research, management plans, and other information relating to the impacts of climate change on the habitat and wildlife of northeastern Minnesota. The website will serve dual purposes. First, it will provide a crucial resource for all stakeholders and partners engaged in research pertaining to the habitat and wildlife of northeastern Minnesota. Second, it will educate the public on the impacts of climate change on the habitat and wildlife of northeastern Minnesota through data visualization tools, including infographics, videos, and maps. The website would also enable engaged members of the public to connect with citizen-science programs run by researchers.

The Climate Change and Conservation Manager will be responsible for fulfilling these deliverables. As the project develops, Friends will also hire a Climate Change and Conservation Associate, who will assist in project implementation and report to the Climate Change and Conservation Manager.

These positions and this program will continue beyond the duration of the three-year ENRTF grant and will form the basis for the Friends’ new Climate Change and Conservation Program.

Primary Relationships

Reports directly to the Executive Director.
Works effectively with other departments within the Friends, including Development, Policy, Communications, Northern Communities, and Education.

Responsibilities

Engage local, state, and federal governments; tribal governments; academic institutions; and nonprofit organizations to collect and aggregate studies, research, management plans and other data relating to the impacts of climate change on the habitat and wildlife of northeastern Minnesota and identify gaps in this data
In consultation with the Communications Director, develop a publicly available, web-based, electronic database of studies, research, management plans, and other information relating to the impacts of climate change on the habitat and wildlife of northeastern Minnesota
Serve as the principal contact for vendors responsible for providing services as part of the ENRTF grant (e.g., website developer, GIS consultant, graphic designer, data storage firm) responsible for providing services under the ENRTF grant
Monitor scientific and policy developments pertaining to climate change and wildlife conservation in northeastern Minnesota
Advise on organizational policy positions pertaining to climate change and wildlife conservation
Serve as a scientific and technical resource for staff and the public
Represent Friends at events and serve as a spokesperson for Friends

Qualifications

Advanced degree in natural sciences, policy, or law discipline, with interdisciplinary experience, and at least three years of applied experience
Advanced understanding of climate change, wildlife management, and ecology
Initiative, good judgment, and a strong work ethic
Ability to work independently and in collaboration with staff and outside partners
Ability to engage positively with a broad array of people and constituencies, including Indigenous tribes
Ability to successfully design, implement, and direct complex or multiple projects of strategic importance while meeting deadlines
Ability to translate complex scientific data or research into easy-to-understand material appropriate for public consumption
Demonstrated knowledge or ability to quickly learn the various state- and federal-funded climate change and conservation efforts in Minnesota
Familiarity with conservation issues related to species recovery
Academic and/or professional experience pertaining to mitigating effects of climate change on animal species and their habitats
Experience and comfort with developing conservation strategies at multiple geographic scales, from site-specific to regional or statewide scale
Experience navigating complicated political landscapes and relationships
Passion for preserving the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its ecosystem

Compensation and Benefits

$75,000 – $85,000 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, resume, and three references:

Bree Sikorski
Operations Director
bree@friends-bwca.org

In the subject line of any electronic communication, please put “Climate Change and Conservation Manager.”

Applications will be accepted until July 3, 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.

Community Organizer

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time

REPORTS TO: Government Relations Director

LOCATION: St. Paul, MN

Summary

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness is seeking a full-time Community Organizer to plan and implement our in-person and digital organizing in Minnesota and organize our supporters to ensure permanent protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. You will lead our organizing efforts and planning to ensure our supporters participate in public events, presentations, and legislative and electoral advocacy. This position will plan and coordinate digital and in person outreach and organizing including fundraising for our political work. You will recruit, organize, and train volunteers and increase their affinity and engagement with the organization and our advocacy efforts. This position will also provide support for ensuring the success of the Friends of the Boundary Waters Action Network, which is an affiliate of the Friends that provides enhanced advocacy, including political outreach. You will play a key role in growing Friend’s organizing capacity—building power in communities through relationship-based engagement, strategic campaigns, and on-the-ground action. You’ll also contribute to activist training and coaching systems to develop a bench of organizers and citizen leaders.

The BWCA is facing an imminent threat at the federal level to open the headwaters of the BWCA to sulfide mining. This threat could irreversibly change the wilderness character of the BWCA. We are building a movement to ensure our elected leaders permanently protect the wilderness. We need to meet the moment now by harnessing the energy in the community to protect the clean water and wilderness of the BWCA. We’re looking for a Community Organizer who can bring this vision to life — someone ready to build, strategize, and organize for clean water and wilderness protection.

Primary Relationships

Reports directly to the Government Relations Director.
Works effectively with other departments within the Friends, including Communications, Development, Operations, Education, and the Executive Director.

Responsibilities

Organizing, Engagement & Relationship Building

Organize campaigns to support advocacy efforts at the State Capitol and U.S. Capitol.
Build and maintain a strong base of clean water and BWCA supporters who care deeply about the wilderness, through one-on-one conversations, outreach, and leadership development.
Engage activists through community organizing strategies—including press events, door knocking, phone banking, texting, emailing, flyering, direct actions, and more.
Identify and cultivate community leaders—engaging them and supporting their long-term engagement and growth.
Facilitate community meetings, both online and in person, that promote Friends’ campaigns and initiatives.
Represent Friends in community meetings and coalitions, build partnerships at the local and national level, and contribute to broader advocacy efforts across campaign areas.
Conduct strategic meetings with residents, campaign stakeholders, and power holders; connect community members to actions and solutions that will protect the BWCA.
Assist managing the Citizen Action Network program, including developing a system of incentives to recruit and retain volunteers and activists, maintaining volunteer notes in the database and, regularly surveying the network and other staff to assess needs.

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.

Organizational Responsibilities

Enthusiastically promote Friends’ goals and have a deep investment in our mission
Represent Friends and participate in community events.
Participate in all-hands-on-deck events such as Boundary Waters Day at the Capitol and the Minnesota State Fair.
Support the growth and stability of the Friends by participating in fundraising activities, team building activities and sharing your knowledge with the team.
Adhere to all organizational policies and procedures, maintaining accountability, transparency, and compliance in all aspects of your work.

Qualifications

Required:

A range of 2-5 years of experience in community organizing, including experience recruiting, training, and managing volunteers and activists
Proficiency with technology, including Zoom, Gmail, Google Drive, and general computer and mobile device use
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly to a range of audiences
Ability to adapt quickly and think creatively
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
Friendly, enthusiastic and positive attitude
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Willingness to work evenings and weekends
Willingness and ability to travel by car
Political/electoral campaign experience is a plus
Experience at the State or U.S. Capitol a plus
Passion for preserving the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its ecosystem

Compensation and Benefits

$55,000 – $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, resume, and three references:

Bree Sikorski
Operations Director
bree@friends-bwca.org

In the subject line of any electronic communication, please put “Community Organizer.”

Applications will be accepted until June 27, 2025.

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.