MN Basecamp Coordinator

Big City Mountaineers (BCM) is committed to providing transformative experiences through nature that strengthen life skills and build community for youth from disinvested communities. BCM creates opportunities for 12 to 18 year-old students to connect with nature, themselves, community, and joy by providing free, fully outfitted, and professionally-led backcountry trips. BCM programs occur on the ancestral territories of many of this nation’s first peoples.

For 35 years, the BCM idea and organization has shown staying power, and has a stable operating budget to match. Headquartered in Denver, CO, BCM is a national organization with a dedicated team of full-time staff, seasonal trip instructors, and volunteers.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• The Basecamp Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Minneapolis Regional Program Manager (RPM) and Instructors with essential tasks at our canoe camp in Tower, MN, primarily occurring immediately before and after youth trips, and participating on adult team meeting phone calls.
• The Basecamp Coordinator is expected to act with both a high level of independence as BCM’s on-the-ground staff in Northern Minnesota, and collaboration with colleagues based in the Twin Cities and around the country.
• Once familiar with the program logistics and staging area, the Basecamp Coordinator should be able to accomplish tasks with minimal oversight or assistance from the RPM while working closely and communicating clearly with Instructors and volunteers.

Pre and Post-Season Base Camp Opening/Closing:

• Clear trails and trim trees.
• Assist with setting up and taking down canvas tents on tent platforms.
• Coordinate turning on and draining water lines for the pavilion and garage.
• Safely store and organize power tools and equipment.
• Refill propane tank for pavilion stove.
• Other facilities related duties as required.

Base Camp Site Maintenance:

• Mow and cut weeds.
• Maintain and repair canoe thwarts/yokes and portage pads.
• Inventory new gear arrivals and identify gear that needs repairs or fixes after trips.
• Update inventory of food, medications, first aid supplies, and gear.

Program Preparation and Post-Trip Duties:

• Purchase and pack program food.
• Organize and pack program gear and equipment.
• Outfit participants with properly fitting clothing, footwear, and equipment.
• Clean and tidy the staging area after groups depart.
• Administer pre-program and post-program surveys and ensure their completion.
• Prepare meals for trip participants while they are on-site.
• Coordinate gear return, cleaning, and organization, which may include bringing clothing and equipment to a laundromat, ensuring full drying before storing, and transporting trash and recycling to the local dump.
• Organize staging areas in preparation for the next program to either depart or return, depending on the regional schedule.

The Basecamp Coordinator will be asked to provide any feedback they have as it pertains to the areas of programming that they’re involved with. Additional duties or responsibilities may be assigned by the Minneapolis Regional Program Manager either before or after programs depending on specific regional and program needs. Furthermore, it is expected that the Basecamp Coordinator maintains regular and proactive communication with the Minneapolis RPM.

Baseline Qualifications

• Maintain a positive, respectful attitude towards others and demonstrate a commitment to supporting and advancing the mission and vision of BCM.
• Provide professional and excellent customer service to community partners.
• Experience maintaining a physical location such as a campsite, basecamp, or similar.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with little in person supervision, including proactive communication with remote supervisor or manager.
• Ability to carry loads of up to 60 pounds.
• Maintain a clean driving record and the ability to operate a vehicle to transport gear and materials.
• Ability to provide personal transportation around the Basecamp site (mileage reimbursement available when transporting gear).
• Ability to pass a background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with youth from racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities, specifically those whose identities and lived experiences that are underrepresented in outdoor recreation spaces.
• Ability to cultivate interpersonal relationships with youth and adult participants, instructors, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to speak Spanish.
• Hold a current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, or the ability to obtain it prior to the start of the position.
• Ability to respond to and manage physical, emotional, and situational risks inherent in youth outdoor programs.
• Familiar with the local communities that BCM works alongside and the outdoor spaces where participants engage.
• Familiarity with the local communities of Tower and Ely, MN.

Compensation

This is a seasonal, part-time, hourly position with an anticipated start date of May 2025 and ending by September 1, 2025. This role will be expected to work an average of 20 hours per week, for a total maximum of 340 hours over the duration of the contract. The hourly pay rate is $20, dependent on qualifications and experience. BCM is unable to offer health, dental, or vision benefits for this seasonal role. Eligibility to gain access to outdoor brand pro deal access after completing a 2-week period of employment. Sick time is accrued throughout the employment period. Workers’ compensation coverage is provided.

Optional Housing

There is an optional availability to live on-site at the basecamp location during the period of employment, with prior approval from the Regional Program Manager upon request.

How to Apply & Timeline

Please submit a current resume and thoughtful cover letter detailing why you believe your experience, capacity, and passions align with BCM’s needs to jobs@bigcitymountaineers.org. In your cover letter, be sure to address the following:

• Your professional experience and track record of success working in roles similar to this one.
• Your personal “Why”, both in terms of our mission and why this is the right moment and role for you in your professional path.
• How your personal identity and/or lived experiences play a role in your motivation and ability to do this work.

Please send both documents in a PDF or Microsoft Word document in an email to jobs@bigcitymountaineers.org and use the subject heading format [Your Full Name] – MN Basecamp Coordinator Application. All applications must be received no later than March 1, 2025.