Current Opening(s)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Job Summary: The Executive Director serves as the chief administrative officer of the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC), leading strategic and operational efforts across its seven-county northeastern Minnesota region. The position oversees fiscal, personnel, and administrative functions and ensures effective implementation of Commission-approved policies and programs.
View the full position profile at https://www.ddahumanresources.com/active-searches.
Minimum Qualification: Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of six (6) years of combined economic development and planning experience, experience working with communities, boards, committees, and government entities, and supervisory experience. A master’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Planning, Economic Development, or related field is preferred.
Salary: $105,000 to $145,000/year
Benefits: Health, dental, life, and disability insurance, PERA retirement, paid time off, holidays, employee support programs, and more
To Apply for this position: Candidates MUST visit https://daviddrown.hiringplatform.com/382372-arrowhead-regional-development-commission-executive-director/1456869-application-form/en and complete the application process by April 12, 2026. Finalists will be selected on April 17, 2026, and final interviews will be held on April 24 and 27, 2026.
Application Deadline: April 12, 2026
Please direct any questions to Liza Donabauer at liza@daviddrown.com or 612-920-3320 x111.
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Job Summary: The Finance Director provides leadership for ARDC’s financial operations and long-term fiscal health. Reporting to the Executive Director, the position oversees accounting operations, budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, internal controls, and regulatory compliance while leading the finance team. The role also prepares financial analyses, supports audit activities, reviews financial components of contracts and resolutions, and provides strategic financial guidance to leadership.
View the full position profile at https://www.ddahumanresources.com/active-searches.
Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree and six years of job-related experience, or bachelor’s degree with eight years of job-related experience, or two-year degree with ten years related experience or a high school graduate and twelve years of related experience. CPA certification preferred but not required. Government accounting and/or legal experience is helpful.
Salary: $100,000 to $125,000/year
Benefits: Health, dental, life, and disability insurance, PERA retirement, paid time off, holidays, employee support programs, and more
To Apply for this position: Candidates MUST visit https://daviddrown.hiringplatform.com/382377-arrowhead-regional-development-commission-finance-director/1456881-application-form/en and complete the application process by April 12, 2026. Finalists will be selected on April 17, 2026, and final interviews will be held on April 24 and 27, 2026.
Application Deadline: April 12, 2026
Please direct any questions to Liza Donabauer at liza@daviddrown.com or 612-920-3320 x111.
Planner
The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC), a multijurisdictional planning agency covering seven counties in northeast Minnesota located in Duluth, MN, has a full-time, 40 hours/week, Planner opening.
ARDC Planners develop, write or assist in coordinating transportation, land use, recreation and community development plans as well as coordinating GIS mapping projects in the seven county Arrowhead Region of Minnesota. Planners provide technical assistance, and plan and present information at meetings, for local units of government, committees, subcommittees, other special groups, Boards and/or ARDC Commission.
Duluth, located on the shores of Lake Superior, offers many outdoor attractions including biking, hiking, skiing and more, along with vibrant arts and culture.
REQUIREMENTS:
- A Bachelor’s degree in a planning related field with two years of pertinent experience; OR
- A two-year degree with at least four years of pertinent experience; OR
- A Master’s degree in a planning related field;
- OR six years of pertinent experience.
Other: A valid driver’s license is required.
*Salary: $25.45-$29.00/hour (*based on experience)
ARDC offers a competitive benefits package that includes a retirement plan, health insurance, dental, and life insurance, paid time off, MN Paid Family & Medical Leave, 11 paid holidays and more.
Hours: 40 hours/week, Monday through Friday.
Location: Duluth, MN. (Work from home options may be made available in a hybrid model but employees are required to demonstrate successful performance.)
Candidates may reside in Carlton, Douglas, Lake or St. Louis counties to be considered.
Click here for a complete job description: Planner. Candidates must follow the “ARDC Application Instructions” listed below to be considered.
Deadline to apply: April 29, 2026
Internships
2026/27 Transportation Planning Interns | Fall & Spring Internships
Semester Opportunity: Apply by: Approximate Start Date:
Fall 2026 July 1, 2026 September 9, 2026
Spring 2027 November 15, 2026 January 4, 2027
Hours: 10-16 hours per week, Monday – Friday (flexible based on availability and business needs)
Wages: $12.00/hour (undergrad); $15.00/hour (grad student);
Benefits: ARDC offers Earned Sick and Safe Time and MN Paid Family & Medical Leave for interns
Location: Duluth, MN (May allow occasional remote/hybrid work.)
What would I do?
Interns will assist the MIC’s planning and communications staff with a variety of transportation planning work. For a copy of the job description, click here.
To learn more about the MIC, visit: https://dsmic.org/about/
Qualified internship candidates must:
- Be enrolled at a college or university registered for intern credits–preferably in a Planning, Geography, or related program (Note: If a specific registration period is closed or not yet open, candidates must sign a letter of intent to register for internship credits at the next available registration period.)
- Be able to conduct field work outdoors, sometimes in less-than-ideal weather and outside regular office hours.
- Be able to work in person at the ARDC Duluth office (majority of the time).
- Be able to work remotely via internet connection and Microsoft Teams (at times).
- Be competent with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, and Teams).
- Have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record (to drive agency vehicle to events and field work locations).
- Be able to lift up-to 30 pounds.
To be considered, intern applicants must follow the ARDC Application Instructions listed below.
Applicants must follow the “Application Instructions” listed below to be considered (except for the Executive Director and/or Finance Director positions; candidates must follow the application instructions listed above).
ARDC Application Instructions
(Except for Executive Director and/or Finance Director; see above)
To be considered for a position, interested candidates must submit a resume AND download and complete the following forms by clicking on the “LINK” next to each document below:
- Application for Employment (LINK)
- Certification and Authorization Statement (LINK)
- Data Practices Advisory (LINK)
- Applicant Data Record (voluntary) (LINK)
Completed application materials may be submitted:
- By email to kmattila@ardc.org
- By mail to ARDC, Human Resource Manager, 221 W. First Street, Duluth, MN 55802
Applications must be received by the position closing date. If selected for an interview, we will contact you. Applicants should update the ARDC with any changes to their contact information. Any questions may be directed to Krista Mattila at 218-529-7543 or kmattila@ardc.org.
Reception of Applications: ARDC only accepts applications in response to a job posting. A completed application packet with original signatures is required when applying with ARDC, and resumes in lieu of the completed application packet are not accepted. All sections of the application must be completed for consideration. Resumes may be attached to the completed application. Applications will remain on file for one year.
Equal Opportunity Statement: The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, marital status, familial status, place of residence, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, Veterans, and any other protected category as defined by statute. Read ARDC’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.
Diversity and Inclusion Statement: ARDC is committed to building an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees and of the communities we serve.
