Friends Group Coordinator

~ The Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP) is a statewide coalition of environmental and conservation nonprofits. Together, our coalition members and supporters work for clean energy, clean water, and investments in Minnesota’s Great Outdoors through policy initiatives, public education, and community events. ~

Our coalition makes a difference for Minnesota. In 2011, MEP was named the #1 high-impact environmental nonprofit in Minnesota by more than 175 local experts.

Our coalition exists to help diverse environmental nonprofits be successful by working together. The mission of MEP is to make that success possible by strengthening the effectiveness and building the power of our members to achieve the highest quality natural environment for Minnesotans.

Our staff achieves this mission by providing forums for collaboration and offering capacity building services that make our member groups, and our coalition, stronger. We create and organize various services, including communications and capacity building trainings, meetings for our members with policy makers, news and information gathering, networking opportunities, and more.

Position Overview

Primary purpose of this position is to develop an innovative and sustainable partnership program between Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota (P&TC) and the numerous Friends Groups representing state and regional parks and trails in Minnesota. This position offers a full-time 1-year contract, with potential to renew after first year. This role requires occasional overnight travel to places in Minnesota to meet with Friends Groups. A valid driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

Major Tasks:

• Outreach to our current Friends Group partners to understand their strengths, needs and opportunities for partnering.
• Shape and formalize our Friends Group Program by working with the external relations director to identify, refine and systematize program elements.
• Drafting a Friends Group manual for current and potential Friends Group partners to understand the partnership relationship.

Identify, plan and implement outreach efforts that:

• Provide educational and networking opportunities for Friends Groups.
• Provide regular communication between P&TCM staff and Friends Groups.
• Refine, update, and maintain our database (CiviCRM) of existing friends groups in Minnesota.
• Review and conduct research into similar partnership programs to inform the development of P&TC’s Friends Group program.
• Coordinate efforts with other P&TCM staff members who are working on various elements of the Friends Group program.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities - The ideal candidate would have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience in program development and/or organizing.
• Interest and/or background in the Parks & Trails Council’s mission.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including comfort in outreaching to unfamiliar audiences.
• Strong written communication skills, including drafting manuals and other process improvement documents.
• Strong process improvement and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and experience with database procedures.
• Organized and attentive to detail.
• Comfort in environments where you are expected to help define your role.

Compensation: Salary is $35,000, plus a competitive benefit package.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to e-mail your cover letter and resume with “Friends Group Coordinator” in the subject line.
• Deadline is July 24th, 2017, but the position will remain open until filled.
• Mailed applications will not be accepted.