Program Assistants & Faculty (Summer 2026)

Coe College Wilderness Field Station Summer 2026 Opportunities - Ely, Minnesota Spend your summer where the wilderness is your classroom. Coe College is seeking Program Assistants and Faculty to help staff our Wilderness Field Station near Ely, Minnesota, located on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The station provides immersive, field-based learning experiences for undergraduate students studying ecology, wilderness leadership, and environmental science. This is a unique opportunity to live and work off the grid, surrounded by lakes, forests, and world-class canoe country while supporting hands-on outdoor education. Program Assistant (Seasonal) June to early August Program Assistants support the day-to-day operations of the station and assist faculty and students throughout the summer. Responsibilities may include helping with student transportation, preparing cabins and shared spaces, assisting classes preparing for canoe trips, moving and repairing canoes and field gear, assisting with biological field work, supporting kitchen operations, purchasing supplies in Ely, maintaining gear inventory, and helping with general upkeep of the station and grounds. Ideal candidates have experience with wilderness camping or outdoor leadership and are comfortable working in a remote outdoor setting. Candidates should have basic maintenance skills such as painting or light carpentry and be willing to assist with gear repair and general operations. The role requires the ability to work independently while collaborating closely with a small team of staff and faculty. Strong communication skills, reliability, and flexibility are important, as duties vary from day to day. Candidates must also be able to carry a 40-lb pack and participate in physically active outdoor work. Familiarity with the Ely / Boundary Waters area or the Wilderness Field Station is helpful but not required. Faculty Positions (Short-Term Summer Appointments / June-July or July-August) Coe College also seeks faculty instructors to teach field courses at the station during the summer term. Faculty appointments typically run three to four weeks and involve teaching undergraduate field courses, leading canoe-based field experiences, and working closely with students in an immersive outdoor learning environment. Faculty receive a stipend, travel reimbursement, and housing and meals at the station during their appointment. Working at the Wilderness Field Station offers the opportunity to live and work in the Boundary Waters region, join a close-knit outdoor learning community, and support hands-on environmental education while spending the summer canoeing, hiking, and exploring one of the Midwest's most remarkable wilderness areas. Interested candidates should apply through the Coe College Careers page. Individuals selected for employment must successfully complete a background check and motor vehicle check in accordance with Coe College policy. New employees will also be required to complete payroll onboarding forms. Seasonal employees are paid on Coe College's bi-weekly payroll schedule.