Current Openings

Legal Director

Summary

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness (the “Friends”) is seeking a full-time attorney to serve as our Legal Director. In this role, the Legal Director will help set, manage, and implement a legal strategy that furthers the Friends’ mission of protecting, preserving, and restoring the wilderness character of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (“Boundary Waters”) and the Quetico-Superior ecosystem.

A major focus of the Friends is to protect this ecosystem from threats posed by proposed copper-sulfide mines such as PolyMet and Twin Metals. This position provides oversight of our outside legal counsel and works with coalition partners to set legal strategies for these topics. This position also identifies emerging legal and conservation issues facing the ecosystem and develops legal regulatory, administrative, and litigation strategies to address these issues. In addition, this position manages real estate, employment, intellectual property, reporting and compliance, and other legal issues relating to the operation of a nonprofit organization.

Primary Relationship
  • The Legal Director will report directly to the Executive Director.
  • Works effectively with other departments within the Friends, with our outside legal counsel, and with Board of Directors advisors.
Responsibilities
  • Manages the Friends’ ongoing federal and state litigation involving the Twin Metals and PolyMet copper-sulfide mines, including working closely with the Friends’ outside legal counsel and co-counsel from other nonprofit organizations to set litigation strategies relating to these mining projects. 
  • Assists in writing comments in response to mining plans
  • Provides guidance on legal issues and drafts legal documents relating to real estate transactions
  • Manages legal issues relating to the operation of a nonprofit organization, including employment, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and reporting and compliance requirements
  • Builds and participates in collaborative relationships with the Friends’ nonprofit partners

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctorate degree.
  • A minimum of five years of environmental, related practice, or legal advocacy experience.
  • Licensed to practice law in good standing in Minnesota or be able to become licensed
  • Excellent litigation and legal advocacy skills, including legal research, writing and oral advocacy skills.
  • Initiative, good judgment, and a strong work ethic.
  • Ability to work independently and in collaboration with staff and outside partners.
  • Passion for preserving the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
  • Public Policy experience is a plus

Compensation and Benefits

  • $80,000 – $100,000 per year salary
  • Paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan.
  • In addition to paid vacation and sick leave, the Friends provides a $300 stipend and five additional paid vacation days to each employee to take time off and recharge in the Boundary Waters.
  • Flexible working hours 
  • $50 per month transportation allowance for public transit or parking.
  • We encourage life-long learning and ongoing professional development.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and referenc

Please submit a cover letter, resume, references and two writing samples to:

Ms. Bree Sikorski
Operations Director
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
2250 University Ave W
Suite 180S
Saint Paul, MN 55114
bree@friends-bwca.org

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

Applications will be accepted until September 27, 2021.

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. The 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.