Current Opportunities

Current Opportunities

Current Opportunities

We’re looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Ely Community Organizer to join Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness and Save the Boundary Waters.

SAVE THE BOUNDARY WATERS OVERVIEW

The Boundary Waters, the largest Wilderness Area east of the Rockies and north of the Everglades, is America’s most-visited Wilderness, uniquely accessible and beloved for recreation. It is the sixth most critical region in the lower 48 to protect for climate resiliency. A major threat looms: proposed copper mining in the headwaters, where pollution would flow downstream into and through the heart of the Wilderness, with cascading effects across the ecosystem.

Save the Boundary Waters, founded and led by Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness based in Ely MN, is a national coalition of 400+ businesses, conservation, and hunting & angling organizations, camps and access programs united to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park from the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining proposed in the headwaters of these treasures.

Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness Mission: We unite people to advocate for the protection of wilderness and wild places, especially the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the greater Quetico-Superior Ecosystem.

Our Vision: We envision a future where people understand the value of wild protected lands, and are unified to forever protect the Boundary Waters Wilderness and the greater Quetico-Superior Ecosystem as vital components of a healthy and resilient planet.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice: Wilderness and the pursuit of its protection should be made to be welcoming and accessible to all. Protecting Wilderness relies upon public engagement which cannot be expected when people are disenfranchised, unwelcome, hurt or tokenized due to their sexuality, race, age, ability, size, gender identity, gender expression, culture, religion, political affiliation, or anything else. The pursuit of permanent protection for the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining and other threats is no different. Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness and the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in all aspects of the organization as it works to protect this special place for everyone and for generations to come.

ELY COMMUNITY ORGANIZER POSITION SUMMARY

The Ely Community Organizer is responsible for Save the Boundary Waters’ (STBW) presence across northern Minnesota, especially in and around Ely and the Western Boundary Waters region to International Falls. This individual’s roles will include cultivating volunteers, coordinating public events, assisting the Boundary Waters Action Fund (our 501c4 sister organization) during election season, and building grassroots support for permanent protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness watershed from sulfide-ore copper mining. The Ely Organizer will report directly to the State Manager and will be an integral member of the STBW staff.

KEY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Volunteer and Ambassador Management

  • Targeted volunteer recruitment, retention and advancement in key areas
  • Working with our Board members, volunteers, and local businesses to help advance the mission of STBW and organize people in northern Minnesota communities.
  • Arrange and train volunteers for event support, including tabling and texting campaigns.

Supporter Engagement

  • Provide existing supporters with unique and different ways to become engaged and empowered in our work.
  • Foster volunteer stewardship
  • Educate the general public about the risk of copper-nickel mining to the Boundary Waters and work to improve the public’s understanding of the issue.
  • Coordinate and plan community meetings with decision-makers related to protecting the BWCAW from sulfide-ore copper mining.
  • Organize community members to attend community events, town halls, meetings, festivals, and other public events.

Events

  • Develop strategic outreach plans and host a variety of public educational events
  • Organize the logistics for representing the organization at visibility opportunities in the community.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and public speaking ability
  • People oriented: skilled in customer service, public relations, partnership building
  • Highly organized and attentive to detail
  • Able to perform moderately-strenuous physical activities, such as lifting and carrying up to 30 lbs, walking up to ½ mile, light assembly (e.g., tables, chairs and displays)
  • Ability to work independently, remotely, and with limited direct supervision
  • Willingness and ability to travel, including with your own functional and safe automobile (travel expenses and mileage are reimbursed)
  • Passion for protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Quetico-Superior ecosystem
  • Honest, trustworthy, of high integrity, and embracing diversity
  • Ambitious and self-directed; willing to work variable hours including evenings and weekends as needed

PREFERRED

  • Professional experience in political campaigns, community organizing, and/or public lands or other conservation campaigns
  • Experience working with supporter databases – EveryAction a plus

COMPENSATION

  • The Ely Organizer is a full-time, hourly position. Hourly pay ranges $21.00 from to $22.50, commensurate with experience
  • Compensation includes competitive wage and benefits package with coverage and a monthly stipend for health, dental, and vision insurance; a 403b retirement plan with matching; 9 paid flexible holidays; phone, travel and expense reimbursement; professional development; 18 “Personal Time Off” (PTO) paid days per year, and trip reimbursement for Wilderness trip

TO APPLY     

Please email your resume, a cover letter and contact information for three references to amanda@savetheboundarywaters.org with subject line “Ely Organizer Application” by August 23, 2024. This position will remain open until filled.

Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness and Save the Boundary Waters are committed to equal opportunity in employment.

Rolling Internships

We accept applications on a rolling basis, and will reach out if there is an opening!

Join the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters team as an intern! Position: Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters Internship
Location: Minneapolis, Duluth or Ely, Minnesota
Dates: We seek out interns every season and semester

Supervised By: Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness staff (According to the intern’s work plan & focus area)

Background: The Campaign to Save The Boundary Waters was organized by local residents in and around Ely, Minnesota who are dedicated to creating a national movement to protect the clean water, clean air and forest landscape of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its watershed from toxic pollution from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining. The Campaign partners with dozens of local and national conservation organizations and businesses and is led by Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness.

Activities and Tasks: The Campaign is growing rapidly and we strive to be as strategic as possible in all our efforts. Tasks may evolve throughout the duration of the internship based on Campaign needs, and the skills and interests of the intern(s). Intern(s) will work closely with members of the Campaign:

  • We are seeking skilled interns to work in areas of Communications, Organizing, Outreach & Events, Fundraising and Administration. Job focus will depend on experience, interest and the needs of the Campaign.

  • Assist in drafting documents and content for supporters through email, social media, website and other platforms.

  • Educate and activate the public and our supporters around our efforts to protect the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining.

  • Assist in organizing logistics and staffing events, like festivals and house gatherings, trainings, presentations, campus and community events, media events and special projects like the State Fair and “adventure advocacy” expeditions.

  • Conduct outreach through email, in-person meetings, phone-calling, and preparing mailings to supporters.

  • Engage with a number of constituencies: faith leaders, local officials, students, businesses and the public at large. Brainstorm and develop new creative ideas to reach new supporters.

  • Record, update and track results of grassroots actions, like petition-signers and donors into our databases.

  • Attend meetings and present/update others on the efforts of the Campaign.

    Desired Skills or Qualities:

  • Leadership experience, strong academic performance, problem-solving ability, excellent written and verbal skills, work-ethic, eagerness to learn, positive attitude.

  • College degree, status as enrolled student or relevant experience in environmental issues, community organizing or outdoor recreation.

  • A general understanding of sulfide-ore copper mining and its impacts.

  • A commitment to sustainable and healthy wilderness edge communities and

    outdoor tourism economy in Minnesota.

  • Ability to work independently and interact positively with board members, staff,

    volunteers, partners, media, decision-makers and the public.

  • Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced and changing

    environment.

  • High level of comfort with computers and a variety of software and applications.

  • Experience with social media.

  • Dedication to our goals and efforts, willingness to work hard.

    Position Requirements:

  • Flexible hours (quarter time to full time internships may be available). Includes some evenings and weekends.

  • Training will be provided.

    Benefits:

    • Work on a rapidly-growing, historic national effort to protect the BWCA
    • Work alongside seasoned organizers, add to your own skills and experience
    • Make connections in the conservation community and with decision makers
    • Work stipend may be available
    • If applicable, we will work with you to arrange college credit for the internship.

    Please send a resume and cover letter, including your location and dates of availability for the internship, to info@savetheboundarywaters.org.

We invite anyone interested to let us know you'd like to be considered for our board! Please fill out this brief form to indicate your interest in being considered for the NMW board. This form is open at any time, and we further consider new board applicants as board roles become available on a limited basis. You may also reach out to Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director, at Ingrid@savetheboundarywaters.org

Please visit our Northwoods Jobs Board for more job opportunities in Northern Minnesota!

https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/northwoods-job-board