Current Opportunities

Environmental Research & Review Analyst

Position: Permanent/Full-Time
Location: Flexible, but preferably Minnesota
Compensation: $80-90k, starting, commensurate with education and experience
Supervised By: Policy & Science Director

Background: Save the Boundary Waters is a campaign coalition launched in 2013 and led by Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness (NMW). NMW was founded in 1996 to provide a local voice for wilderness protection on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which is America’s most-visited wilderness area, a unique landscape, and the only lake-land wilderness of significant size in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Save the Boundary Waters includes ~30 environmental NGO partners, > 375 business partners, and ~30 hunting and fishing nonprofit partners, all of which are united in the shared objective of achieving permanent protection of the Boundary Waters from the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining in the Boundary Waters watershed.

Position purposes: Review, analyze, and draft polished written comments on and critiques of preference right mineral lease renewals/reissuance, mine plan(s), and related proposals using comprehensive knowledge of general mining practices and methods, and of environmental review practices, methods, limitations, and prediction failures; draft or participate in the drafting, finalization, and submittal of formal comments from NMW on mine project and other proposals; conduct research by obtaining, archiving, and reviewing mine projects’ environmental review documentation and predictions, scientific journal articles and government reports, baseline and post-mine-development monitoring data, etc.

Core Duties & Responsibilities:
• Track priority industrial projects in northeastern Minnesota;
• Issue-spot and prioritize needs for further research and expert advice;
• Review and interpret project proposals, environmental review and permitting documents, government reports, SEC filings, scientific and trade journal articles, prior comments on the same or similar proposals, baseline environmental monitoring data, expert reports, etc.;
• Prepare and submit comment letters alone or in cooperation with others;
• Edit for content and clarity, and maintain a high level of quality control and factual and scientific integrity in all written materials produced;
• Research and summarize the history, core components, environmental review/permitting predictions, and actual performance of select mines;
• Research, analyze, and write materials intended for a range of audiences.

Required Knowledge and Abilities:
• Excellent reading and writing abilities, with a demonstrated skill in producing clear, well-structured writing on complex topics;
• Effective speaking skills;
• Firm command of environmental review and permitting procedures;
Knowledge of general mining practices and methods, and experience working on mining-related issues;
• Familiarity with basics of one or more areas of natural resource science;
• Familiarity with statutory interpretation, legal writing, and environmental laws;
• Attention to detail, ability to track and organize multiple research and writing projects, some of which will involve many components and multiple authors, contributors and/or reviewers; and
• Ability and willingness to work occasional stretches of long, non-standard hours when under deadline(s), with a schedule that could include working evenings and/or weekends.

Preferred Education, Experience, Skills, and Qualities:
• Effective interpersonal skills, including an ability to work well with others and on deadline to complete tasks requiring problem solving and collaboration;
• A J.D. and legal experience including statutory/regulatory interpretation;
• A degree(s) in one or more areas of natural resource science (e.g., hydrology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, aquatic chemistry, geomechanics, geophysics, biology,
ecology) is ideal;
• Minimum of six years’ experience in mining, in writing or commenting on mine plans of operation, in writing or commenting on mine project environmental review and permitting documents, or some combination of these;
• Facility with common office word-processing software, Adobe, Dropbox, etc.;
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and outlook.

Benefits:
• Annual salary: $80,000–$90,000 to start, commensurate with experience;
• 403(b) retirement plan (with 3% match vesting after one year of employment);
• $565/mo. stipend for medical, vision, and dental insurance, with organization group plan options;
• $2,000 annual professional development stipend;
• 9 paid holidays, 18 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), which increases with time accrued at the organization;
• Paid parental leave per Minnesota’s new parental leave law: https://pl.mn.gov/;
• Work alongside seasoned professionals on a historic national public lands campaign – Save the Boundary Waters;
• Do well while doing good.

NMW is committed to ensuring that wilderness and the pursuit of its protection should be welcoming and accessible to all. NMW is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the organization as it works to protect this special place for everyone and for generations to come. See NMW’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice commitment here.

Please send a resume and brief letter of interest for the position by Monday, August 31st to Matt@savetheboundarywaters.org

Location: Minnesota, remote (in-state) eligible or hybrid in Minneapolis or Ely
Salary range: $52,000 - $58,000
Supervised by: Communications Director

Who we are: 
Save the Boundary Waters launched in 2013 and is led by Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness (NMW). NMW was founded in 1996 to provide a local voice for Wilderness protection on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which is America’s most-visited Wilderness Area, a unique landscape, and the only lake-land Wilderness of significant size in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Save the Boundary Waters includes ~30 environmental NGO partners, > 375 business partners, and ~30 hunting and fishing nonprofit partners, all of which are united in the shared objective of achieving permanent protection of the Boundary Waters from the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining in the Boundary Waters watershed.

About the position:
The Communications Associate will work as an integral part of the communications team to mobilize broad public support to protect the Boundary Waters. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Assist Communications department team members with day-to-day communications tasks including: project management, copywriting, social media support, design & layout, and website updates
• Help cultivate and grow Save the Boundary Waters’ online presence through digital engagement and social media
• Write and post website updates including action pages, events, press releases, and blog posts and breaking-news content when needed
• Assist with social media management, posting, monitoring, and creating content 
• Strategize and implement new social media strategies, including YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn 
• Work with Save the Boundary Waters staff on the ground to capture stories via camera or phone
• Track digital analytics
• Compile and organize visual assets (graphics, photos, etc.)
• Assist with communications-related record-keeping in our database
• Manage projects using Google Drive and Monday.com
• Assist with public events and materials as needed, interacting with the community and supporters in a positive manner
• Occasional evening, weekend, and travel commitments
• Other duties as assigned

Required knowledge and abilities:

• Knowledge of current communication and marketing strategies and trends
• Experience using social media and digital marketing tools and strategies
• Self-motivated and eager to learn new skills and take on new challenges
• Ability to manage time effectively and able to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced and changing environment, be flexible, and work as a team player
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and respond quickly to changing needs
• Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in everyday work and in fulfilling the mission of the organization
• Capable of giving and receiving honest and open feedback

Preferred education, experience, skills, and qualities:

• Experience running social media campaigns
• Experience with social media and digital marketing tactics, familiarity with Meta ada, Google Ads, and Google Analytics
• Experience working with Content Management Systems (EveryAction, NGP VAN, Blackbaud, Drupal, Squarespace, Wix, or other similar systems)
• Experience working with Google Drive and Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 
• Experience with creative programs such as Canva and Adobe products including but not limited to: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro 
• Basic video editing and interview story capturing via camera and phone
• Familiarity with the Boundary Waters, outdoor recreation industry, and surrounding communities

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.

Benefits:
• 403(b) retirement plan (with 3% match vesting after one year of employment)
• $565/mo. stipend for medical, vision, and dental insurance, with organization group plan options
• $2,000 annual professional development stipend
• 9 paid holidays, 18 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), which increases with time accrued at the organization
• Paid medical leave including parental leave per Minnesota’s new leave law: https://pl.mn.gov/
• Work alongside seasoned professionals on a historic national public lands campaign – Save the Boundary Waters
• Do well while doing good

Please send a resume and brief letter of interest for the position by October 20 to Libby@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