Grand Marais Education and Outreach Facilitator

SUMMARY

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness is seeking an education facilitator to assist with our school programming and other outreach events. This position will be involved in 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. 

School Programming: 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 main duties of the position will be to assist with teaching environmental education curriculum centered on the BWCA in school and outdoor settings in Northeastern Minnesota, including program preparation, evaluation, and record keeping. In addition to teaching at school events, this position will assist with logistics for our BWCA Wilderness Trip program as we prepare schools with the gear and expertise they need to go on a summer BWCA trip through our program. 

Outreach and public events: In addition to in-school programming, this position will work with the Community Coordinator in Grand Marais to attend community events and host events throughout Cook County. Some weekends or evenings may be required to support these events.

The position requires working at these in-person events but may also include remote work to prepare for these events and to support planning and logistics. The facilitatorship will run from early May until the end of August, with the opportunity to continue program work into October if the applicant’s schedule allows.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the Northern Education Coordinator to prepare materials and lessons for full and half day programs at schools. 
• Travel with the Northern Education Coordinator for up to 3 hours away (though generally within one hour) for day programs, with occasional overnight stays for longer visits.
• Modify teaching methods and lesson content to different age groups K-12 (though usually middle and high school). 
• Facilitate BWCA programming to participating schools, often in a half day program with rotating stations with small groups of students. Lessons range from nature and ecology activities like investigations involving animal adaptations, water quality, or biomes, to wilderness skills such as canoeing, fire-building, portaging, and using a map and compass. Proficiency in each of these areas is not required, but it is encouraged to be familiar with at least one area. For more details on the courses this program offers, please visit our course catalog. 

https://www.friends-bwca.org/wp-content/uploads/NoBoundariesCourses.pdf

• Reset program supplies to ensure they are ready for the next school visit, and track supplies that may need replacement. Assist with record-keeping and media for school programs.
• Assist the Northern Education Coordinator with building and maintaining partnerships in Grand Marais, such as the YMCA, Cook County Soil and Water, Community Education, and more.
• Assist with elementary school student programs through the Cook County YMCA and Community Education. These include full day and after school programs.
• Assist with the creation of program materials, lessons, and other education department projects. 
• Assist with BWCA Trip logistics such as cleaning and distributing gear, processing trip media, and other needs as school groups prepare to go on a BWCA Trip in the summer. 
• Support trip participants on the first day and the last day of their trip experience.
• Assist with planning, preparation, and execution of Friend’s community events, including during the Fisherman’s Picnic weekend in Grand Marais. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required:
• Experience teaching or working with students in grades 6-12.
• Availability for school programs during school day hours (between 7–4 pm) at least two days a week.
• Interest in teaching in an outdoor setting, with a focus on experiential learning. 
• Must pass background check.
• Must have access to own transportation in order to travel to programs throughout the region.
• Willing to participate in First Aid Training.
• Must attend a mandatory 3-day training in May, likely in Northeastern Minnesota, but possibly at our St. Paul office depending on availability. Dates to be determined on school schedules. 

• Preferred:
• Experience teaching in an outdoor setting. 
• Knowledge of culturally responsive teaching methods. 
• Experience working with youth from a variety of racial, geographic, and financial backgrounds. 
• Completed or pursuing a degree in education, environmental education, environmental studies, or a related field. 
• Passion for equity in the outdoors. 

HOURS AND COMPENSATION

The facilitatorship will be 12-20 hours per week. The pay rate is $18 per hour and mileage paid at the IRS rate.

TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter, resume, and three references: 

Case McCullough, Administrative Assistant: casey@friends-bwca.org

In the subject line of any electronic communication, please put “Grand Marais Education and Outreach Facilitator” 

Applications will be accepted until January 30, 2026.

At 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.