Who We Are

Engineers Without Borders USA exists to help build thriving communities around the world.  We build a better world through engineering projects that empower communities to meet their basic human needs. We celebrate the joy that comes when communities get safe water flowing for the first time, light that now shines where it was dark, and bridges and pathways that connect to new opportunities. Our team is committed to community engineering to make a meaningful, lasting, and positive difference that elevates the leadership and autonomy of our partner communities. We are part of an equitable, global network of organizations that focus on community engineering to promote social justice.

We mobilize thousands of volunteers every year to respond to underserved and overburdened communities' engineering needs.

Introduction

The Executive Fellow position is an opportunity for recent graduates with EWB-USA volunteer experience to delve deep into the workings of a non-profit organization. As an Executive Fellow, you will be uniquely positioned at the intersection of EWB-USA’s leadership, volunteers, departmental staff, and all corners of EWB-USA’s network. You will spend a year working closely with EWB-USA’s Board of Directors and Leadership Team, tuning your ear to the mechanism of non-profit organizational leadership and key functions of non-profit work. EWB-USA’s key function areas include program delivery, fundraising & communications, operations, and finance and accounting. 


The Executive Fellow is a unique position and opportunity to work directly with the CEO. While the role is heavy on administration, the Executive Fellow benefits by working closely with leadership, and participating in non-profit operations. Specific goals for this position include:

  • Inspire an emerging leader interested in humanitarian engineering and provide them with direct experience within the operations of EWB-USA

  • Provide logistic and organizational assistance to the Board of Directors and Leadership Team of EWB-USA

  • Contribute a volunteer perspective to the strategic and operational initiatives of EWB-USA

  • Make a unique and value-adding contribution to building EWB-USA through either a significant project in one area or opportunities to participate in multiple smaller projects and key function areas. 

Core Duties and Responsibilities

Overall duties for the position are listed below.

  • Board of Directors Liaison (40%)

    • Organize and facilitate the work of the EWB-USA Board of Directors including board meetings, board committee support, orientation, recruitment, and assessment. 

  • Assistant to the CEO (20%)

    • Completes a variety of administrative duties for the CEO including submitting expense reports, assisting with planning efforts for CEO travel, general scheduling support, and other tasks as assigned by the CEO

  • Project Activities (40%)

    • Under the guidance of the CEO, develop and implement an individual project that will contribute to building and improving EWB-USA. This project will overlap with the Executive Fellow’s interest/passion and organizational needs or improvements that the leadership is eager to implement.

      • Example of a past project: Improve annual data collection on chapters via a baseline analysis, development of a web-based tool, and basic data decomposition in order to enable staff to make data-based decisions and close communications gaps. 

    • Depending on the organizational needs, the Executive Fellow may also choose to participate in multiple smaller projects across key function areas. 

Professional development

This position is at the discretion of the CEO and is designed to assist the leadership team of EWB-USA. It is also designed to be a professional growth experience for the Executive Fellow. Here is how this is made possible:

  • The Executive Fellow is a position that engages with all departments. This provides the Executive Fellow with access to cross-functional challenges, and is a phenomenal opportunity to learn to collaborate with staff and balance competing priorities.

  • The Executive Fellow interacts with the Board of Directors and CEO and is therefore part of one of the most important relationships in an organization. By actively discussing agendas, and being part of most negotiations, the Executive Fellow learns the inner workings of an executive office.

  • The Executive Fellow works closely with the CEO and each interaction is an opportunity to learn and discuss the professional insights that lie “underneath” each challenge.

  • The Executive Fellow works on organizational project activities designed to be a professional stretch and growth opportunity. They are supported in their execution of that project by the CEO. 

Minimum Requirements

  • Recently graduated from university and holds a bachelor’s degree

  • Strong passion for the mission, work, and future direction of EWB-USA

  • Past EWB-USA volunteer leadership experience

  • Must be based in and have the authorization to work in the U.S.

Desired Skills & Attributes

  • Excellent self-motivation, desire to learn about EWB-USA and non-profit operations, and ambition to grow yourself and to make the organization better 

  • Strong time and task management skills

  • Proficient with Google Drive

  • Excels at and enjoys teamwork

  • Ability to work independently (position is hybrid/remote)

Commitment

  • Commitment duration: 13 months to ensure succession. July 2026 - August 2027

  • The Executive Fellow should expect to work 40 hours/week. However, the time commitment may vary by week and some weeks may require more or less time, or be reduced based on budget. 

  • The office works on a Denver-based 9 AM to 5 PM Mountain Time schedule. Meetings potentially occur in the evenings to accommodate our volunteers, and in the early mornings to accommodate our partners around the world. 

  • The Executive Fellow must be able to attend quarterly board meetings in-person in our Denver office at a minimum. Quarterly meetings typically take place in February, May, August, November, usually during the first or second week of the month. 

Compensation & Benefits

This is a paid, full-time, non-exempt position, paying $20.00 hourly. As a non-exempt position, the position is eligible for overtime based on organizational needs and prior approval. 


EWB-USA offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, PTO, 401K retirement plan, and a flexible, collaborative work environment.

Location

Preference will be given for the following states: CO, DE, FL, MI, NY, OH, OR, and UT. Occasional travel to Denver or board meeting locations is required.

To Apply:

Please submit the following:

  • Resumé or CV

  • One-page cover letter responding to the following questions:

    • What motivates you to work for EWB-USA?

    • What do you hope to gain and learn from the Executive Fellow position and your time at EWB-USA?

    • What do you hope to contribute to EWB-USA?

We look forward to learning more about you!


EWB-USA’s Vision for DEI: In support of EWB-USA’s mission and vision, EWB-USA believes in the utmost importance of creating a safe space for all staff, volunteers, and partners to learn, grow, reflect, and feel free to be their authentic selves. We envision an EWB-USA that is a champion of DEI in the engineering industry and sets a positive example of true commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Engineers Without Borders USA is an equal-opportunity employer.


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