Organizational Profile: We are seeking an individual with the talent, passion and desire to promote and grow the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers mission in addition to engaging in local conservation issues around the Great Lakes region, including Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. BHA is the nation’s leading public lands and waters focused sportsmen’s conservation organization.

BHA is growing, with chapters in 35 states, Washington, D.C., and two Canadian provinces. We have individual members across the globe and a $2.4 million annual budget. BHA has over 15,000 members and supporters and a talented, hardworking group of staff and volunteers. They are committed to BHA's work to enhance public access and opportunity for sportsmen, conserve our public lands and waters, and defend our fair chase traditions.

Primary Responsibilities: The Great Lakes chapter coordinator will engage in the following:

▪ work with the state chapters of BHA and other diverse interests in a collaborative setting to monitor activities and legislation at the state legislature related to public lands, hunting, fishing and management of fish, wildlife and habitat;

▪ work with other sportsmen and conservation organizations to advance proactive strategies that advance BHA’s work on public lands and defend against legislative or administrative efforts that would undermine state and national conservation priorities for BHA;

▪ work with BHA chapters to recruit new members, identify new leaders or prospective board, and engage them in BHA’s work;

▪ work with BHA staff, including the state policy director, to assist chapters with developing or sending legislative or programmatic updates;

▪ work with chapters and BHA staff to engage hunters and anglers in state legislatures, including attending hearings, committee meetings and other important events;

▪ advance efforts to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from any administrative or congressional threats – and work with other sportsmen partners to elevate this issue beyond the state of Minnesota so that it may be regarded as a more critical regional and national issue;

▪ build and manage local relationships with congressional staff at the state and district office levels in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin;

▪ as needed, work with state chapters and BHA staff to initiate rapid response communications (phone calls/emails) with chapter leaders and other influential grasstops to educate decision makers in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin;

▪ as necessary or appropriate, work with BHA’s online advocacy coordinator to generate individual constituent communications to decision makers utilizing BHA’s action systems and engaging state chapter leaders and other influential individuals;

▪ work with BHA’s communications director to write letters to the editor, opinion columns and letters to state and national legislators that support local, state and national efforts to protect public and private lands that benefit wildlife, water or provide access for hunting and fishing;

▪ work with BHA’s communications director and state chapters to engage in any state media opportunities and develop media/press statements to respond to campaign needs;

▪ work with BHA staff to leverage traditional media, social media and other communications platforms that complement our work in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin; ▪ coordinate chapter communications through BHA’s website, email systems and state-based social media;

▪ work with state chapters and BHA staff, to develop and promote fundraising events such as hunting and fishing film tours, hunter happy hours, storytelling nights and other events to promote membership, attract new public lands advocates and create in-person opportunities to advance BHA’s work in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin;

▪ assist the conservation director and development coordinator with writing grant proposals and reports; ▪ perform other duties as determined by the conservation director and state policy director.

Minimum Qualifications:

• The team member we desire is innovative and a creative thinker with a proven success of following through with his/her ideas.

• He or she must be a hunter and/or angler with a willingness to work flexible hours and travel across Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin regularly, including periodic travel to state legislatures as needed.

• He or she must conduct work with integrity, good humor and a focus on developing partnerships, building trust and strengthening professional relationships.

• A bachelor’s degree is preferred, plus a minimum of two years of practical experience.

• He or she must demonstrate the ability to work with and interact with sportsmen and women and have a general knowledge of current and historical public land and water conservation issues, hunting, fishing, economics and the current political landscape. 

• He or she must be innovative and a resourceful self-starter who can work with minimal supervision.

• He or she must believe in and commit to BHA's work and mission. • He or she must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

• He or she must be able to lift 25 pounds and have a valid driver’s license.

Starting Salary: Dependent on experience

Application Review Date: Nov. 13, 2017

Anticipated Start Date: January 2018

Application: To apply send cover letter and resume to Office Manager Caitlin Frisbie at [email protected] with the subject line “Great Lakes Coordinator.”

Please attach your cover letter and resume as one Word document. The application cover letter should outline both your interest in and qualifications for this position.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting through education and work on behalf of wild public lands and waters.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.