Careers

Current Openings

Development Director

CLASSIFICATION: Full time

REPORTS TO: Executive Director                                                   

LOCATION:  St. Paul, MN

Summary

Friends of the Boundary Waters protects the Boundary Waters and connects people of all backgrounds to the wilderness, so that this and future generations benefit from this special place. We envision a permanently protected Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico ecosystem, where all people can experience the magic of the wilderness and support its protection.

Friends is a fast-growing, mission-centric, entrepreneurial nonprofit organization with a staff of twenty dedicated individuals operating out of offices in Saint Paul and Ely, Minnesota. We are a dynamic organization that maintains a high public profile for successfully advancing our mission through our pillars of Wilderness, People, and Community.  

Friends is seeking a Development Director to lead our development efforts, which provide the resources for us to advance our mission. The Development Director supervises a Major Gifts Officer, Grants Manager, and Development Associate. The Development Director works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors and collaborates with the Directors of other functional areas of the organization. The Development Director is responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive development strategy that encompasses major gifts, foundation giving, corporate partnerships, planned giving, annual appeals, public funding, and donor events.

PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS

  • Reports to the Executive Director.
  • Supervises the Grants Manager, Major Gifts Officer, and Development Associate.
  • Staffs the Development Committee of the Board of Directors.
  • Work collaboratively with the Directors of other functional areas of the organization, including Communications, Legal, Education, and Operations 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy to meet the organization’s development goals.
  • Supervise and manage the Development Department, which includes a Major Gifts Officer, Grants Manager, and Development Associate. These management responsibilities include developing individual work plans for supervised staff and ensuring that work plan goals are achieved.
  • Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Development Committee of the Board of Directors.
  • Work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to establish a development plan and participate in developing the overall strategic plan for the organization.
  • Maintain a portfolio of major donors and major donor prospects to steward, cultivate, and solicit.
  • Collaborate with the Communications Team to develop and execute effective donor communications and marketing materials.
  • Monitor and analyze data to evaluate performance and adjust strategies as needed.
  • Develop and implement strategies to raise funds for Friends of the Boundary Waters Action Network, the 501(c)(4) affiliate of the Friends that engages in political activities to elect Boundary Waters champions. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum of ten years of nonprofit development experience with a minimum of three years of experience in a senior development position, with a proven track record of success in major gifts, foundation giving, corporate partnerships, annual appeals, and donor events.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write compelling donor communications and marketing materials.
  • Strong leadership and management skills, with experience managing a team of development professionals.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to listen well, and positively represent the organization and its mission.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, board members, and volunteers.
  • Experience with development software and donor databases.
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines while remaining detail-oriented.
  • Ability and willingness to travel throughout Minnesota and nationally.
  • Experience with capital campaigns is strongly preferred.
  • Passion for preserving the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its ecosystem.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

  • $100,000 – $120,000 annual salary
  • 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 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:

Bree Sikorski

Operations Director

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness

bree@friends-bwca.org

In the subject line of any electronic communication, please put “Development Director.”

Applications will be accepted until November 18, 2024.

At the 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.

 

Education and Outreach Intern

CLASSIFICATION: Part time/ Temporary

REPORTS TO: Twin Cities Education Program Manager                                               

LOCATION:  Saint Paul, MN

Summary

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness are seeking two education interns to assist with our school programming and other outreach events. This position will be involved in our education program, No Boundaries to the Boundary Waters, as well as other areas of the organization that further the Friends’ mission of protecting, preserving, and restoring the wilderness character of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Quetico-Superior ecosystem. 

School Programming: Our growing education program reaches schools and organizations all over the state, primarily working with grades 6-12 to bring opportunities to learn about, investigate, and experience the Boundary Waters through classroom education, local exploration, and wilderness trips, targeting under-resourced communities throughout Minnesota.

The main duties of the position will be to assist with teaching in school and outdoor settings and collaborating with the full-time Education team to hold BWCA programming at schools around Minnesota. Many schools will be local to the metro area, but some schools may be in greater Minnesota and will require occasional overnight travel. In addition to teaching at school events, this position will assist with program preparation, evaluation, and record keeping. This position will also assist with logistics for our BWCA Wilderness Trip program as we prepare schools with the gear and expertise they need to go on a summer BWCA trip through our program. Most educational programming takes place between May-June and September – October, though there are intermittent educational programs throughout the summer. 

Outreach and public events: In addition to in-school programming, this position will work with the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator to attend community events in the Twin Cities and connect with potential supporters at, for example, the State Fair, BWCA Night at the Minnesota Saints, and Open Streets events. This work will take place mainly in July – August. Some weekend or evenings may be required to support these events. 

The position requires working at these in-person events but may also include remote work to prepare for these events and to support planning and logistics. The internship will run from early May until the end of August, with the opportunity to continue program work into October if the applicant’s schedule allows.

Responsibilities
  • Work with the education team to prepare materials and lessons for full and half day programs at schools. 
  • Travel with the Education Team for up to two hours away for day programs, with occasional overnight stays for longer visits.
  • Modify teaching methods and lesson content to different age groups between 6th and 12th grade. 
  • Facilitate BWCA programming to participating schools, often in a half day program with rotating stations with small groups of students. Lessons range from nature and ecology activities like investigations involving animal adaptations, water quality, or biomes, to wilderness skills such as canoeing, fire-building, portaging, and using a map and compass. Proficiency in each of these areas is not required, but it is encouraged to be familiar with at least one area. For more details on the courses this program offers, please visit our course catalog. 
  • Reset program supplies to ensure they are ready for the next school visit, and track supplies that may need replacement. Assist with record-keeping for school program.
  • Alter existing programming to meet the needs of a particular school.
  • Assist with the creation of program materials, lessons, and other education department projects. 
  • Assist with BWCA Trip logistics such as cleaning and distributing gear, processing trip media, and other needs as school groups prepare to go on a BWCA Trip in the summer. 
  • Create “Media Recaps” for school events and summer trips, incorporating photos, quotes, and videos for social media. 
  • Engage the public by attending community outreach events throughout the Twin Cities
  • Assist with planning, preparation, and execution of the Friends’ booth at the Minnesota State Fair, Open Streets events, BWCA Night at the Minnesota Saints, and other public events.
Qualifications 

Required:

  • Experience teaching or working with students in grades 6-12.
  • Availability for school programs during school day hours (between 7–4 pm) at least two days a week.
  • Interest in teaching in an outdoor setting, with a focus on experiential learning. 
  • Must pass background check.
  • Must have access to transportation to our office in St. Paul.
  • Willing to participate in First Aid Training. 
  • Must attend a mandatory 3-day training in May, dates to be determined on school schedules. 
  • Must be willing to follow all COVID-19 protocols and require participants to do the same.

Preferred:

  • Experience teaching in an outdoor setting. 
  • Knowledge of culturally responsive teaching methods. 
  • Experience working with youth from a variety of racial, geographic, and financial backgrounds. 
  • Completed or pursuing a degree in education, environmental education, environmental studies, or a related field. 
  • Passion for equity in the outdoors. 
  • Proficiency in another language.
Compensation and Benefits

The internship will be 10-20 hours per week, with occasionally weeks exceeding 20 hours. The pay rate is $17.00 per hour and mileage paid at the IRS rate.

TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter, resume, and three references:


Bree Sikorski

Operations Director

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness

bree@friends-bwca.org

In the subject line of any electronic communication, please put “Legislative Intern.”

Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2025.

At the 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.

Ely Education & Outreach Intern

CLASSIFICATION: Part time/ Temporary

REPORTS TO: Northern Education Coordinator                                                   

LOCATION:  Saint Paul, MN

Summary

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness is seeking an education intern to assist with our school programming and other outreach events. This position will be involved in our education program, No Boundaries to the Boundary Waters, as well as other areas of the organization that further the Friends’ mission of protecting, preserving, and restoring the wilderness character of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Quetico-Superior ecosystem. 

School Programming: Our growing education program reaches schools and organizations all over the state, primarily working with grades 6-12 to bring opportunities to learn about, investigate, and experience the Boundary Waters through classroom education, local exploration, and wilderness trips, targeting under-resourced communities throughout Minnesota.

The main duties of the position will be to assist with teaching in school and outdoor settings and collaborating with the Northern Education Coordinator to hold BWCA programming at schools around Minnesota. Many schools will be near the Ely area in Northeast Minnesota, but some schools may require occasional overnight travel. In addition to teaching at school events, this position will assist with program preparation, evaluation, and record keeping. This position will also assist with logistics for our BWCA Wilderness Trip program as we prepare schools with the gear and expertise they need to go on a summer BWCA trip through our program. Most educational programming takes place between May-June and September – October, though there are intermittent educational programs throughout the summer. Outreach and public events: In addition to in-school programming, this position will work with the Community Coordinator in Ely to attend community events and host events in our Ely office. This work will take place mainly in July – August, or weeks where there are fewer educational programs. Some weekends or evenings may be required to support these events.

The position requires working at these in-person events but may also include remote work to prepare for these events and to support planning and logistics. The internship will run from early May until the end of August, with the opportunity to continue program work into October if the applicant’s schedule allows.

Responsibilities
  • Work with the education team to prepare materials and lessons for full and half day programs at schools. 
  • Travel with the Northern Education Coordinator or other Education Team members for up to two hours away for day programs, with occasional overnight stays for longer visits.
  • Modify teaching methods and lesson content to different age groups between 6th and 12th grade. 
  • Facilitate BWCA programming to participating schools, often in a half day program with rotating stations with small groups of students. Lessons range from nature and ecology activities like investigations involving animal adaptations, water quality, or biomes, to wilderness skills such as canoeing, fire-building, portaging, and using a map and compass. Proficiency in each of these areas is not required, but it is encouraged to be familiar with at least one area. For more details on the courses this program offers, please visit our course catalog. 
  • Reset program supplies to ensure they are ready for the next school visit, and track supplies that may need replacement. Assist with record-keeping for school program.
  • Assist the Northern Education Coordinator with building and maintaining partnerships in Ely, such as Ely Community Resource, Ely Public Schools, the Wolf Center, and more. 
  • Alter existing programming to meet the needs of a particular school.
  • Assist with the creation of program materials, lessons, and other education department projects. 
  • Assist with BWCA Trip logistics such as cleaning and distributing gear, processing trip media, and other needs as school groups prepare to go on a BWCA Trip in the summer. 
  • Assist with office tasks as needed.
  • Assist with planning, preparation, and execution of Friend’s community events, including during the Forth of July celebration in Ely.
Qualifications 

Required:

  • Experience teaching or working with students in grades 6-12.
  • Availability for school programs during school day hours (between 7–4 pm) at least two days a week.
  • Interest in teaching in an outdoor setting, with a focus on experiential learning. 
  • Must pass background check.
  • Must be able to get to our Ely Office on Sheridan Street.
  • Willing to participate in First Aid Training. 
  • Must attend a mandatory 3-day training in May in the Twin Cities (along with the Northern Education Coordinator), dates to be determined on school schedules. 
  • Must be willing to follow all COVID-19 protocols and require participants to do the same.

Preferred:

  • Experience teaching in an outdoor setting. 
  • Knowledge of culturally responsive teaching methods. 
  • Experience working with youth from a variety of racial, geographic, and financial backgrounds. 
  • Completed or pursuing a degree in education, environmental education, environmental studies, or a related field. 
  • Passion for equity in the outdoors. 
  • Proficiency in another language.
Compensation and Benefits

The internship will be 10-20 hours per week. The pay rate is $17 per hour and mileage paid at the IRS rate.

TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter, resume, and three references:


Bree Sikorski

Operations Director

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness

bree@friends-bwca.org

In the subject line of any electronic communication, please put “Ely Education and Outreach Intern.”

Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2025.

At the 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.