Employment Opportunities

United Way of Southeast Minnesota is a community change organization that fights for a healthy community, youth opportunity, financial security, and community resiliency. United Way fights to erase divisions, bridge divides, and right inequities. We connect people with resources that change lives and transform our community. Please see our opportunities below if you are interested in working or volunteering with us.

United Way is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals who share lived experiences with the people and communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply. We intentionally do our best to eliminate bias and remove barriers that may limit other applicant pools. United Way encourages applications from individuals of all races, genders, ages, and abilities.

For any questions please contact Mathew Bjorngaard at mathewb@uwsemn.org.

Community Research and Learning Intern

Title: Community Research and Learning Intern 

Department: Community Impact 

Reports to: Vice President of Community Impact 

Duration: Late May-Mid August 2025  

Salary: This is an unpaid volunteer position  

 

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO: 

United Way of Southeast Minnesota (UWSEMN) responds to the greatest needs across our region by inspiring people to get involved, give back, and take action. We envision a resilient region defined by care and collective action where residents are healthy, households are financially secure, and young people succeed in school and life. 

You can learn more about our organization, our impact, and our values at www.uwsemn.org  

 

HOW YOU’D FIT IN & STAND OUT: 

  • This intern position will be guided and assigned projects by the Vice President of Community Impact, who will also work with the Intern to fulfill the necessary Internship requirements to secure academic credit.  This Internship will be part of the United Way’s Community Impact team, which is a team of four. Our team has a strengths-based culture and finds value in diverse skills and strengths. 

  • Our team is a group of strong, social justice-oriented individuals who believe in high quality work to achieve community-level change. We are interested in continuous growth and improvement, as well as having hard conversations. We know that the best strategies aren’t always the easiest ones. We welcome dissenting views and would like a team member who doesn’t shy away from disagreements.  

  • We are looking for a summer intern to support us in our community learning and research efforts. This person will work alongside staff’s current research agenda to help us develop an emerging community navigation program. This includes reviewing available research and data sets, meeting with non-profits across the community and beyond, and distilling key information for our team to use.  

  • This person will also support a community learning activity in Winona County as they are interested and able. That project would include conducting a review of publicly available reports and data sets, building relationships with community experts, and support in facilitating meetings. 

    TO APPLY:

To apply, please email Zeni Aly (zenia@uwolmsted.org). In the email we ask for: 

 2-3 paragraphs in the email (not attached, write in the body of the email) telling us why you are interested in this position, how you believe you meet the qualifications, and if you are interested in supporting work solely in Olmsted County or work in both Olmsted and Winona Counties. 

By paragraph we mean a set of 3-7 sentences, meaning your email should be approximately 6- 21 sentences long. 

You will not receive more or less consideration because of a shorter or longer email. 

DO NOT send us a traditional cover letter. In this process we are seeking someone who pays attention to detail and follows direction. If you send a cover letter, this will be considered not following directions. 

 

 A summary of your work/skills/training/educational history as an attachment OR a link to your LinkedIn profile 

  •         We do not have a preference on which one. 

  •         You will not receive special consideration for sending both. 

  •         Our aim is to understand where you have worked/volunteered before and the types of roles you have had. Maybe you have led research projects in the nonprofit sector, maybe you have incredible relational and organizational skills from the education sector, maybe you have experience collecting data to evaluate programs—we are open and interested in learning from folks across the spectrum of experience and industry. 

 

Our timeline is as follows for interviews: 

  •      Application ideally are due by Thursday April 24th 

  • First round interviews with the VP of Community Impact will be done Monday April 28th - Friday May 2nd . 

  •  Second round interviews with the Community Impact team will be done Monday May 5th – Friday May 9th

  •  An offer will be extended by Friday May 9th

  •  Start date is flexible—ideally someone will begin full time by May 27th, but we are open to a June start date if you are in a Summer Session. 

 

Graphic Design & Communications Coordinator

TITLE: Graphic Design & Communications Coordinator
DEPARTMENT: Resource Development
REPORTS TO: Vice President of Resource Development
STARTING SALARY: $45,000-$50,000
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time
FLSA STATUS: Exempt

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

United Way of Southeast Minnesota mobilizes our community to action so all can thrive. For 100 years, United Way of Southeast Minnesota has seen how our communities’ greatest challenges are connected — and how we can bring people and resources together to address them. We meet basic needs today while working with community members to help create a better future for tomorrow.

 

You can learn more about our organization, our impact, and our values at www.uwsemn.org  

 

HOW YOU WOULD FIT IN AND STAND OUT 

  • This role is managed by the VP of Resource Development. United Way’s Resource Development team has five employees, but this position collaborates across all departments
  • Our organization has a strengths-based culture and finds value in diverse skills and strengths
  • This position plays a key role in communicating United Way’s mission and values, maintaining our brand, and creating engaging fundraising materials
  • We are looking for a self-motivated and detail-oriented professional to plan and produce communications materials for digital, print, and other channels. Key technical skills for this role are graphic design and copy writing.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS 

The Graphic Design & Communications Coordinator is responsible for planning and producing communications materials for digital, print, and other channels consistent with United Way’s brand engagement strategies. This includes management of United Way's social media accounts to raise brand awareness and drive donor engagement. They will work collaboratively across departments to craft compelling written and visual content that tells United Way's story and engages supporters.

 

Manage digital communications

  • Manage and monitor social media accounts, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

  • Coordinate email fundraising campaigns in alignment with donor engagement strategies

  • Write, design, and manage subscription-based newsletters

  • Maintain United Way website content, including writing blog posts

  • Support the ongoing development of digital marketing strategies through results tracking and analysis

 

Write and design print communications materials

  • Design print communications materials that tell United Way’s story, including direct mail appeals, campaign materials, posters, postcards, and other varied print materials

  • Prepare materials for print production and serve as a liaison with various vendors for print needs

  • Write effective copy for direct mail appeals, fundraising materials, etc.

  • Ensure consistency across all visual and textual elements of the brand

 

Communications support across all departments

  • Provide support for design, digital marketing, and copy writing across all departments

  • Assist with other marketing duties in alignment with your skillset, such as media relations support, press releases, video production, photography, etc.

  • Participate actively as a member of the organization. We believe diverse skillsets and points of view make our work stronger. Part of our organizational culture is that people pitch in when needed and support our colleagues.

 

THIS JOB IS FOR YOU IF YOU... 

  • Feel passionate about being part of a mission-driven organization working to create a thriving community
  • Are self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple projects across teams
  • Possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English (fluency in Spanish, Somali, or other languages commonly spoken in our region is a plus)
  • Are comfortable using software and applications such as InDesign, Canva, Teams, MailChimp, Hootsuite, and Office365
  • Possess the following core competencies:

Social media management — You know how to drive engagement across different platforms. You analyze post performance and adapt strategies accordingly. You can write post copy and respond to comments in the voice of the brand.

Copy writing — You write clear and compelling copy tailored to the specific audience and purpose. You always write in the voice of the brand to ensure our message is heard.

Graphic design — You can create graphics and designs from initial concepts through final product(s). You can create a variety of products—from social media posts to print materials—that communicate our values and align with our brand standards.

Brand alignment — You understand the importance of following brand guidelines and standards and implementing that across an organization. You stay consistent to the organization's personality and appearance through both written materials and design.
Planning and execution—You can plan projects, set achievable timelines, commit to decisions, and see things through.

Detail oriented — You stay on top of things by keeping organized file systems, coordinating effectively with co-workers, following detailed instructions, and maintaining brand standards.

 

OUR WORKPLACE 

  • Our typical work week is 37.5 hours
  • We are looking to hire a resident of our service area (Olmsted, Dodge, Winona, or Fillmore Counties) who lives within daily commuting distance, as we are rooted in our local community. In-person meetings and activities are required
  • Typical office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • We offer flexible work schedules to meet individual and family needs, and we need you to be available during peak times. We are willing to work together to make sure both employee and organizational needs are met
  • Hybrid/remote work options are available on an individual basis
  • Occasional availability outside of typical office hours is expected for special events

United Way of Southeast Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals who share lived experiences with the people and communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply. We intentionally do our best to eliminate bias and remove barriers that may limit other applicant pools. United Way encourages applications from individuals of all races, genders, ages, and abilities.

 

 COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
  • Starting salary of $45,000-50,000 per year, depending on qualifications
  • Employees are paid electronically twice a month
  • Benefits include health, dental, and life insurance; 403b retirement plan with 9% employer match available after one year of employment; 12 weeks paid parental leave
  • 20 days paid time off plus 15 paid holidays

 

TO APPLY 

Please email Stephanie Rudeen at stephanier@uwsemn.org with your resume, cover letter, and a link or attachment to your portfolio.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and position is open until filled.

Office Coordinator

TITLE: Office Coordinator
DEPARTMENT: Administration
REPORTS TO: Vice President of Administration
STARTING WAGE: $19.00 – $22.00 per hour
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Part-Time (0.4-0.5 FTE)
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

United Way of Southeast Minnesota mobilizes our community to action so all can thrive. For 100 years, United Way of Southeast Minnesota has seen how our communities’ greatest challenges are connected — and how we can bring people and resources together to address them. We meet basic needs today while working with community members to help create a better future for tomorrow.

 

You can learn more about our organization, our impact, and our values at www.uwsemn.org

 

HOW YOU WOULD FIT IN AND STAND OUT 

  • This role is managed by the VP of Administration. United Way’s Administration team has three employees, but this position collaborates across all departments.
  • Our organization has a strengths-based culture and finds value in diverse skills and strengths.
  • This position plays a key role in communicating United Way’s mission and values through direct interaction with those we serve and facilitating mission-driven work by ensuring the organization can function smoothly and with minimal distraction from logistical or operational concerns.
  • We are looking for an outgoing and detail-oriented person to be the first point of contact for those we serve and to aid the rest of the administration team in a variety of tasks and projects. Key technical skills for this role are familiarity with CRM systems and comfort with Microsoft Office Suite.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS 

The Office Coordinator is a part-time position, with long-term opportunities to become full-time, based on performance and organizational growth. This position plays a crucial role in providing administrative support to the organization. They serve as the first point of contact for the organization, managing the front desk by greeting visitors, answering calls, and ensuring a professional and welcoming environment. They are responsible for maintaining the appearance of both the front office and back-of-house areas. Additionally, they will provide finance support through basic recurring data entry and assist the VP of Administration in preparing documentation for Finance and Audit Committee meetings. Other duties include clerical support tasks such as retrieving mail, managing office inventory, and ordering supplies. 

 

The Office Coordinator reports to the Vice President of Administration. Many of the Office Coordinator duties are shared with the Executive Assistant, who will generally work opposite shifts.

 

Customer Service

  • Provide excellent customer service to staff and visitors.
  • Address inquiries and resolve issues.
  • Maintain a positive and professional office environment.

 

Front Desk

  • Answer phones and direct calls, as needed – ensuring inquiries are answered.
  • Maintain conference room calendars, track registration and payments for meetings/events.
  • Handle mail and deliveries, as needed, and when Executive Assistant is unavailable.

 

Administrative Support

  • Maintain front office bulletin boards, building bulletin boards, and general appearance of the front office area and back-of-house area.
  • Ensure office equipment is maintained in proper working conditions.
  • Work with Executive Assistant to maintain office supplies and equipment.

 

Coordination and Organization

  • Facilitate communication between departments.
  • Ensure efficient workflow and office operations.
  • Manage office space and facilities. 

 

Finance Support

  • Assist in document preparation and take meeting notes for Finance and Audit Committees.
  • Assist in performing data entry duties as assigned.
  • Work with VP of Administration to process payroll twice monthly.
  • Provide back-up for Finance Assistant as needed.

 

THIS JOB IS FOR YOU IF YOU... 

  • Are detail-oriented and organized.
  • Enjoy helping people and solving problems.
  • Thrive in a mission-driven, community-based organization.
  • Are comfortable using tools like Microsoft Office 365 and learning new tech.
  • Possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English (fluency in Spanish, Somali, or other languages commonly spoken in our region is a plus).
  • Are experienced in providing outstanding customer service.
  • Have experience in a nonprofit organization or work with nonprofit boards.

 

OUR WORKPLACE 

  • Typical office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • This position is scheduled Monday through Friday from 8:00am-11:30am (17.5 hours per week) – with some flexibility.
  • This position is located in our office in Rochester, Minnesota.
  • We are looking to hire a resident of our service area (Olmsted, Dodge, Winona, or Fillmore Counties) who lives within daily commuting distance, as we are rooted in our local community. In-person meetings and activities are required
  • We offer flexible work schedules to meet individual and family needs, and we need you to be available during peak times. We are willing to work together to make sure both employee and organizational needs are met.
  • Hybrid/remote work options are available on an individual basis.
  • Occasional availability outside of typical office hours is expected for special events.

United Way of Southeast Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals who share lived experiences with the people and communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply. We intentionally do our best to eliminate bias and remove barriers that may limit other applicant pools. United Way encourages applications from individuals of all races, genders, ages, and abilities.

 

 COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
  • Starting wages of $19.00 – $22.00 per hour, depending on qualifications.
  • Employees are paid electronically twice a month.
  • Benefits include all legally mandated benefits (such as Social Security, worker’s compensation insurance, and employee safe and sick time leave benefit), but the position is ineligible for other United Way benefit-eligible programs.
  • 1 hour paid time off for every 30 hours worked, plus 15 paid holidays.
  • United Way of Southeast Minnesota is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

 

TO APPLY 

Please email Mathew Bjorngaard (mathewb@uwsemn.org) with your resume and a cover letter that touches on topics such as interest in the role, relevant experience, connection to the mission. Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by 4:00pm on Friday, May 2nd.

Thank you for your interest in joining United Way of Southeast Minnesota's Board of Directors. We are now accepting nominations for board service for terms beginning April 1, and ending March 31, 2028. 

To submit a self-nomination, please first read the Board of Directors Job Description and consider whether you can commit to the responsibilities and time commitment required of a board member. These include supporting the organization in developing resources, meeting the ethical and fiduciary duties of a director, and participating in required board and committee activities. 

After you have read the Board of Directors Job Description, you may complete the interest form below to self-nominate. Nominations will be accepted January 23-February 10, 2025. After submission, you can expect to hear back from us sometime in February; candidates may be invited to meet with United Way board and staff representatives for na informal interview. Final invitations to join the Board of Directors will be issued in March.

United Way of Southeast Minnesota is committed to recruiting candidates who represent the diversity of our region, contributing a variety of personal and professional expertise to support our mission. 

Please contact Mathew Bjorngaard with any questions: mathewb@uwsemn.org or 507-287-2002.

Interest Form

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  1. Attend board meetings, which take place the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 11:30-1
  2. Understand the mission and values of UWOC and use them in decision-making
  3. Support UWOC with an annual financial contribution within the level of your ability
  4. Participate on one additional board or staff committee annually
  5. Advocate for the organization within your spheres of influence
Select any personal or professional expertise you can contribute to support United Way's success:
Select any spheres of influence in which you are able and willing to activate your personal or professional networks to support United Way's work:

Volunteer

If you'd like to get more involved with our work, please visit our volunteer opportunities page.

If you are interested in volunteering your time and talents to United Way of Olmsted County while pursuing educational credit, we respond to inquiries received three months before typical semester start dates. Please send a resume, a description outlining what type of experience you’re hoping to gain, and scheduling considerations to impact@uwolmsted.org by the following dates:  

  • Fall semester volunteer placement: June 1st 
  • Spring semester volunteer placement: October 1st 
  • Summer semester volunteer placement: February 1st  

Our ability to provide a meaningful volunteer experience depends on staff capacity, project availability, and mission alignment. If you submit an inquiry, you can expect to hear from staff within two weeks of the dates listed above to coincide with typical semester schedules. 

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