Location: Ely, Minnesota
Supervised by: State Manager
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.