Twin Cities Education Coordinator

Friends of the Boundary Waters

CLASSIFICATION: Full time
REPORTS TO: Education Director
LOCATION:  Saint Paul, MN

SUMMARY

The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness (Friends) is seeking an Education Coordinator. 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 Area 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 work closely with a cohort of schools and youth organizations within two hours of the metro area. This cohort of schools will have multiple touchpoints with our No Boundaries to the Boundary Waters programming including school outreach visits, wilderness trip information sessions, wilderness trip workshops, and other community events. This position will also collaborate with the Education team in facilitating, developing, and evaluating year-round programming for schools and organizations in both the Metro area and greater Minnesota, including virtual programs, classroom programs, local park programs, and canoe trip opportunities. The start date for this position will be January 27th, 2025.

PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS

  • Reports to Education Director
  • Collaborates with other Education staff, both in the Twin Cities office and in Northern Minnesota. 
  • 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 across Minnesota for (primarily) grades 6-12, in collaboration with the education team for larger programs, or independently for smaller programs. For information on our current program offerings, view our course catalog. 
  • Facilitate programming in other capacities, such as youth organization experiences, and tabling at local community events.
  • Work with school and organization partners to schedule and coordinate programming. 
  • Adjust programming to fit the needs of school and community partners. 
  • Assist in outreach to new schools and teachers in the No Boundaries Teacher Network.
  • Assist in program development and piloting new material.
  • Collect evaluation data and feedback from teachers and participants.
  • Participate in spring and fall training weeks for seasonal staff. 

Wilderness Trips 

  • Serve as the main contact for trip program-related questions from their cohort schools and partners.
  • Work closely with partner outfitters to reserve space and track registration. 
  • Work with the Education team to schedule and provide pre-trip workshops to prepare students for trips.
  • Distribute registration information to the trip contact at a school or organization. 
  • Hold virtual and/or in-person information meetings for students and parents. 
  • Collect and compile media and pre and post evaluations from trip groups.
  • Collaborate with the Education team to hold virtual and in-person chaperone training for wilderness trips. 
  • Collect gear needs from students, and work with the Twin Cities Education Program Manager to supply trips with necessary gear. 
  • 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 school team and Education Director to address these. 
  • Build relationships and trust with school cohorts by attending community events.
  • Compile necessary waivers and receipts for trip experiences.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Environmental Education, Environmental Science, a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • 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. 
  • 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.
  • Ability and willingness to travel throughout Minnesota for programming when more education staff are needed at events elsewhere in MN (about 1-2 times a month during May, June, September, and October). 
  • Strong organization and communication skills.
  • The ability to speak a language other than English, such as Spanish or Hmong, is a plus.
  • Passion for preserving the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its ecosystem.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

  • $50,000 – $55,000 per year
  • 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
  • $50 per month transportation allowance for public transit or parking.
  • We encourage life-long learning and ongoing professional development.

TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter, resume, and three references: 

Bree Sikorski
Operations Director
bree@friends-bwca.org

In the subject line of any electronic communication, please put “Twin Cities Education Coordinator.”

Applications will be accepted until December 27, 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. 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. 

Apply