Zoo Society - Development Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Manager – Zoo Development, the Development Specialist is responsible for providing support to the development team by managing and coordinating all activities related to membership, grants, annual funds, online giving, donor correspondence, and volunteer management. The Development Specialist will work closely with the Manager – Zoo Development to ensure all annual fundraising goals are met.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position exercises no supervision.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Write and develop LOI’s, grant proposals, and letters of inquiry to foundations and other grant-making organizations, persuasively communicating the organization’s mission and programs to potential funders. Continuously improve the quality of proposals and reports.

Maintain a calendar/grant tracking system to ensure the timely completion of all proposals and reports.

Conduct donor prospect research to identify new corporate, foundation, and individual prospects and funding opportunities.

In coordination with the Manager – Zoo Development, oversee the annual fund and online giving program to meet annual goals.

Manage the membership program including maintaining an accurate database and implementing a robust acquisition, upgrade, and retention strategy.

Manage donor and member data, gifts, pledges, and other records in an accurate, timely, and secure manner

Process donations and memberships and prepare acknowledgment letters and other correspondence. 

Prepare reports, presentations, and proposals for current and prospective donors.

Assist in the planning and execution of annual fundraising events.

Work cohesively with the Assistant Gift Shop Manager to ensure all guest services staff are properly trained to process memberships and donations.

Operate City vehicles, Zoo rides, attractions, and other motorized equipment.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Fundraising best practices including grant writing, annual fund and online giving.

Donor relations best practices.

Membership best practices.

Current fundraising trends.

Database management.

Skill to:

Effectively write content for grants, donor, and board communications.

Maintain a grant tracking system including timely submissions and reports.

Give clear and concise oral and written communication.

Ensure timely and proper data entry for all donor and member records.

Ability to:

Cultivate and maintain strong donor and member relationships.

Ability and willingness to work hours outside of a traditional work schedule including nights, weekends, and special events as the schedule demands.

Work independently with minimal supervision.

Multi-task, prioritize and organize projects efficiently within a work schedule.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.  Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Experience:

Two (2) years of experience in a development or fundraising role is preferred.

One (1) year of experience of writing grants is preferred.

One (1) year of experience working with a donor database is preferred.

Education/Training:

Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, or a related field is preferred.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas Driver’s License, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

    ___    Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
    ___    Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
    _X_    Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
    ___    Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
    ___    Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes:  The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:
N     =    No
E    =    Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
M    =    Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
I    =    Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
A    =    Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task
_I_     Standing
_E_    Sitting
_I_     Walking
_I_     Lifting
_I_     Carrying
_I_     Pushing/Pulling
_I_     Overhead Work
_I_     Fine Dexterity
_I_     Kneeling
_I_     Crouching
_I_     Crawling
_I_     Bending
_I_     Twisting
_I_     Climbing
_I_     Balancing
_E_    Vision
_E_    Hearing
_E_    Talking
___    Other:  _____________________