Current Opportunities

Outreach Intern

Join the Save the Boundary Waters team as an intern this summer!

Position: Outreach Intern

Location: Ely, Minnesota– housing is available through the local college at no cost to the intern

Dates: June-August. No earlier than June 9th; dates flexible based on availability

Supervised By: Gillian Fitzgerald, Ely Community Organizer

Pay: $16/hr, 30 hours per week

** This position is contract employment, and not eligible for benefits. You will be paid at the end of each month, and issued a Form 1099-NEC for tax purposes at the end of your employment **

Background:

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), 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.

Activities and Tasks:

This position’s focus is helping with organizing events, presentations, and other outreach opportunities in the Ely area.

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

• Assist in organizing logistics and staffing events like the Ely 4th of July Parade, Garden Party, camp presentations (YMCA, Outward Bound, etc.), political events around the region, and “adventure advocacy” expeditions.

• Engage with a number of constituencies: 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 our work.

Desired Skills or Qualities:

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

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

• College degree or status as an 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.

• High level of comfort with computers and a variety of applications, including Canva and Google Suite.

• Experience with social media.

Position Requirements:

Flexible hours; some evenings and weekends included. On-the-clock training will be provided.

Other Benefits and Perks:

• Housing provided at no cost on Minnesota North-Vermillion Campus if needed.

• If applicable, we will work with you to arrange college credit for the internship.

• Live in a Wilderness edge community with plenty of opportunity to experience the BWCA.

• Work on a rapidly-growing, historic national effort to protect the BWCA.

• Work alongside and receive mentorship from industry trailblazers and professionals.

• Make connections in the conservation community and with local decision makers.

• Live in a walkable community with free/low-cost events on a daily basis

Email resume, cover letter, and three references to Gillian@savetheboundarywaters.org to apply.

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