Careers

Government Relations Manager

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time/Salary
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
LOCATION: St. Paul, Minnesota

Summary

Friends of the Boundary Waters (Friends) is seeking a Government Relations Manager to serve as Friends’ principal liaison to elected and other government officials at all levels. This position will also help develop and 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 Manager will also serve as staff to the Friends’ affiliated 501(c)4 organization, Friends of the Boundary Waters Action Network which carries out political work.

Primary Relationships

• Reports to the Executive Director
• Works effectively with all Friends’ staff and Board of Directors

Responsibilities

• Represents Friends before the Minnesota Legislature and United States Congress
• Builds and manages strong relationships within the Minnesota Legislature, agencies, and local governments and maintains these relationships both during and outside of the legislative sessions
• Develops and implements 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
• Build and manage the Prove It First Coalition
• Work 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 develop advocacy campaigns
• Works with the Legal Director to ensure compliance with lobbying laws and regulations, including filing required lobbying reports
• Maintain current knowledge of existing and proposed legislation and regulatory or executive actions that are relevant to the Friends mission
• Work for the Friends affiliated 501(c)4 organization that performs political work, such as endorsing candidates

Qualifications:

• 4-6 years of experience in government relations, lobbying and/or working with elected officials
• Knowledge of legislative and executive processes
• Experience communicating with and presenting to a variety of stakeholders, including legislators and their staff, agencies, and other partners
• 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:

• $65,000 – $75,000 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 to:

Bree Sikorski

2550 University Ave W, Suite 180S

Saint Paul, MN 55114

bree@friends-bwca.org

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

Applications will be accepted until December 6, 2023.

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. 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.

Northern Education Coordinator

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time/Salary
REPORTS TO: Education Director
LOCATION: Ely, or other Northeast MN location

Summary

The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness (Friends) is seeking a Northern Education Coordinator to focus on programming in Northeastern Minnesota. This position will be involved in all aspects of 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 Areas Wilderness and the Quetico-Superior ecosystem. An important part of the long-term protection of the Boundary Waters is fostering the next generation of wilderness paddlers, explorers, and stewards and dismantling barriers that exist to exploring the Boundary Waters.

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 Education Coordinator will be responsible for a cohort of schools in Northern Minnesota. They will be responsible for building relationships, coordinating school visits and wilderness trip presentations that follow our No Boundaries curriculum, and facilitating the trip registration process for these partner schools or organizations. This position would work with an existing cohort of schools (which includes a mix of public and charter schools, as well as youth organizations and Indigenous communities) in addition to performing outreach alongside the Education Director to identify new partnerships. This position will also collaborate with the rest of the Education team in facilitating, developing, and evaluating year-round programming for schools and organizations.

Primary Relationships

• Reports to Education Director
• Works effectively with other departments
• Works closely with partner organizations and schools

Responsibilities

Year-Round Programming

• Facilitate environmental education programming about the Boundary Waters in schools in Minnesota for (primarily) grades 6-12. For information on our current program offerings, view our course catalog. This position would mainly focus on NE Minnesota, but there may be some larger school visits to assist with in other areas.
• Facilitate programming in other capacities, such as youth organization experiences, and local community events.
• Adjust programming to fit the needs of school and community partners.
• Maintain the northern set of education program materials and gear, such as environmental education materials and wilderness trip personal gear.
• Communicate programmatic and staffing needs to the Education Director.
• Perform outreach to schools and teachers in the No Boundaries Teacher Network.
• Coordinate the scheduling of in-person and virtual school visits for cohort of No Boundaries schools or organizations.
• Assist in program development and piloting new material.
• Collect evaluation data and feedback from teachers and participants.
• Supervise a Northern Education Intern seasonally (May-October).

Wilderness Trips

• Serve as the main contact for trip program-related questions for cohort of schools.
• Communicate trip logistics needs with Education Director to reserve space.
• Communicate directly with outfitting partner on behalf of the participating schools.
• Assist Education Director in recruiting participating schools or organizations in the wilderness trip experience portion of the program.
• Collaborate with partner schools to deliver pre-trip programming, including trip information sessions, Q&A sessions with families, chaperone meetings, trip workshops, and more as needed.
• Create and distribute registration information to the trip contact at a school or organization, and track completion of paperwork, following up when necessary.
• Answer questions about the registration process, communicating with outfitters when necessary.
• Coordinate personal gear lending and collection for the Northern cohort of schools.
• Ensure the collection of pre and post trip evaluation forms.
• Form an understanding of the cultural, economic, or experiential barriers that might exist for a school community going on a trip and work with the Education Director to address these.
• Assist with additional school-year trip programming in Ely and Cook County Schools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Environmental Education, Environmental Science, or related field.
• At least 2 years’ experience in a teaching role or equivalent position working with middle and/or high school students.
• Experience coordinating logistics for multiple events or programs at once. Experience coordinating programs involving overnight travel is preferred, but not required.
• Experience coordinating logistics for longer-term (spanning weeks or months) projects preferred.
• Passion for teaching in an outdoor setting, with a focus on experiential learning
• Experience working with youth from a variety of racial, geographic, and financial backgrounds.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to adjust program delivery based on student and staff feedback.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive teaching methods preferred.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with partners or stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Minnesota for programming when needed. Access to personal vehicle required.
• Strong organization and communication skills.
• Residence (or ability to relocate) in Northeastern Minnesota, near Ely strongly preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with Northeastern Minnesota communities preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

• $45,000 – $50,000 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 $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
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
bree@friends-bwca.org
In the subject line of any electronic communication, please put “Northern Education Coordinator.”
Applications will be accepted until December 1st, 2023.

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.

Education and Outreach Intern

CLASSIFICATION: Part Time/Temporary
REPORTS TO: Education Director
LOCATION: Saint Paul

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 Education Director and Education Coordinator 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 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. 
• 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.

Prefered:

• 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 $16.50 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 “Education and Outreach Intern.”
Applications will be accepted until January 31st, 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. 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.