Careers

Overall Summary and Description:

Are you an experienced leader who wants to save the lives of homeless pets? Have you worked before with large numbers of cats and people? Bring your know-how and your love of animals and people to one of MN’s largest foster based animal rescue.

At Ruff Start Rescue, you’ll not only be overseeing the medical and behavioral care of the cats and kittens, but you’ll also be using your people skills to manage skilled foster homes and collaborate with other managers.

Availability: This is a salaried position with a time commitment of 40+ hours a week.

This position oversees: Anywhere from 100-250 cats at any time in the rescue as well as volunteer assistants.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• You will support, direct, and manage the foster care duties of all cat foster homes. You are their go-to person for any foster related questions or concerns.
• You will be the vetting coordinator for all of the animals included in the cat program and will maintain up to date spreadsheets regarding the status of all of the animals under you.
• Maintain consistent and timely communicate with foster families and FTA homes daily/weekly via email and phone – communication is very important.
• Work closely with the vetting dept to resolve any medical concerns.
• Work closely with the intake manager to approve all cat intakes.
• Create and implement new processes to help the rescue and foster homes grow
  internally/externally. Implement cost saving processes.
• Consistently seek professional development to build your animal welfare skills, customer skills and volunteer management. Research new trends/processes on how to best care for the
  animals and the foster volunteers.

Qualifications:

• Veterinary knowledge and background, preferred 2+ years CVT experience.
• Access to the internet on a daily basis.
• Smartphone required
• Familiarity with animals, knowledge of animal behavior, and experience working with animal welfare programs is preferred.

Personal Characteristics:

• Demonstrates honesty, integrity and discretion. Skilled at handling sensitive and confidential situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills – outgoing, patient, professional, and able to get along well with a
  variety of people.
• Ability to show compassion and empathize with the foster families.
• Work as a team player, supporting the overall goals of the organization.
• Possibility-driven, proactive, personable, energetic, collaborative and tactful.
• Brings a strong drive for results, while maintaining a calm approach to managing change and working through unexpected or challenging situations.
• Well organized.
• Deep and abiding passion to professionally advocate Ruff Start Rescue's position on key animal welfare and No Kill issues.

Benefits

• Health insurance will be available for employees after the 90 day trial period. RSR will pay 50% of the employee’s monthly premium.
• Retirement plan with a up to a 3% employee contribution available after a 90 day trial period.
• Optional insurance options available after probationary period – you pay 100% premium at a discounted group rate
  • Short term disability
  • Life Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Accident Insurance
  • Hospital Indemnity Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Cancer Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
• Vacation leave upon completion of probationary period – 10 PTO days prorated in your first
  year.
• Professional development courses covered up to $200 annually.

Salary: Starting at $35,568 and DOQ

Reports to: Senior Placement Manager

How to Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to
apply@ruffstartrescue.org.

Description: Provide examinations, patient care, and surgical services for animals belonging to Ruff Start Rescue as well as participating rescues and shelters in accordance with the ideals and standards of Ruff Start Rescue. Work alongside the DVM to provide treatments to the rescue animals, based on their recommendations. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Evaluate and examine incoming surgical patients for previous sterilization surgery, hernias, pregnancy, cryptorchidism, or health problems that may preclude them from having surgery. 
• Complete medical and surgical procedures in a competent, safe, and efficient manner
• Perform diagnostic tests such as UA’s, fecals, cytologies, skin scrapes, etc 
• Assist in all aspects of surgical sterilization and medical care on all patients presenting for care.
• Enter required data into medical records legibly, whether it be paper or computer-based. 
• Help with set up, check-in, recovery, checkout, and cleaning
• Work collaboratively with all other staff and volunteers to ensure animals are being cared for properly and getting the required treatments to prepare them for adoption.

Qualifications:

• Certification as a Veterinary Technician preferred with experience as a high quality, high volume spay and neuter program veterinary technician.  
• Preferred candidates need at least 1 year of anesthetic and surgical experience. 
• The ability to be able to lift 50 lbs and be physically able to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, and climb steps.
• Ability to accurately evaluate the health and condition of animals, while providing safe restraint.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written or typed.
• The right candidate will be able to effectively work independently and will be self-motivated.

 Personal Characteristics

• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and discretion. Skilled at handling sensitive and confidential situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills – outgoing, patient, professional, and able to get along well with a variety of people. 
• Ability to show compassion and empathize with the foster families. 
• Work as a team player, supporting the overall goals of the organization. 
• Possibility-driven, proactive, personable, energetic, collaborative, and tactful.
• Brings a strong drive for results, while maintaining a calm approach to managing change and working through unexpected or challenging situations.
• Well organized.
• Deep and abiding passion to professionally advocate Ruff Start Rescue’s position on key animal welfare and No-Kill issues.

Availability:  8-10 hours shifts. Ability and willingness to allow for a flexible schedule are key.

Hourly rate: DOQ

Reports to: Senior Medical Manager and Director of ProgramsApplicants, Please note: Send cover letter, resume, and three professional references to apply@ruffstartrescue.org. Interested applicants who do not include both items in their submission will not be considered.

Overall Summary and Description:

The Development Officer will maintain and develop a portfolio of donors and prospects for the annual fund. The Development Officer is responsible for increasing current donor and new donor giving and creating a pipeline for major gifts while maintaining meaningful relationships with all donors in the portfolio. Develop and implement identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship systems and strategies for this constituency.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the board of directors, volunteers and staff to identify prospective donors and solicit gifts.
• Develop and implement digital communication strategies to inform and engage current donors and prospects.
• Maintain and deliver currently expected benefits for donors of all giving amounts.
• Effectively communicates RSR’s mission and programs to donors and raises funds for RSR’s highest impact priorities.
• Provide customer service regarding life saving updates with the donors in this portfolio.
• Develop, in conjunction with the Director of Marketing and Development, the Annual Giving strategy each year.
• Coordinate elements of the annual giving program including mailing lists, drafting appeal letters, monitoring the online giving process, digital appeals, and analyzing data and segments.
• Develop and maintain local business relationships.
• Manage incoming calls for the Development Dept specific to donors
• Develop, maintain and strengthen meaningful relationships with current and potential donors.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Marketing and Development.
• Assist in activating strategies within the Development Department to grow revenues for the
• Animal Sponsorship and Membership programs, and Give to the Max Day campaigns, assist with social media posts and website updates, and support fundraising events.
• Assists in scheduling and coordinating site visits.
• Cultivates donor relationships by updating donors on the impact of their support, creating opportunities to grow their relationship with RSR’s mission, and inviting donors to deepen their partnership with RSR.
• Secures financial support from individuals and family foundations, and matching gifts from corporations
• Executes fundraising strategies through in person, phone, email, and mail communications
• with donors for cultivation, solicitations, stewardship and planned giving efforts.
• Creates and maintains a personal annual portfolio of individual prospects and donors.
• Monitors and analyzes donor fundraising outcomes and trends.
• Manages annual giving campaigns such as year-end and Give to the Max, matching appeals.

Specific Job Skills and requirements

• Minimum 2 to 5 years’ experience in non-profit development/fundraising
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent preferred
• Knowledge and resources available to ensure compliance with non-profit donation tax laws and reporting.
• Prior experience securing gifts from new donors and growing donor gifts
• Proven success in creating and managing giving campaigns (year-end, matching, Give to the Max)
• The ability and/or proven evidence of the ability to:
  • Communicate at an advanced level, oral and written.
  • Exhibit strong phone skills, for example: warm tone, good speaking cadence, clear and articulate speech.
  • Be an active participantParticipate in a teamwork driven environment.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in building relationships.
  • Utilize Network For Good, or similar CRM with proficiency.
  • Manage time and task completion effectively.
  • Self starter and ability to handle tasks independently.
  • Knowledge and resources available to ensure compliance with non-profit donation tax laws and reporting.
  • Deep and abiding passion to professionally advocate Ruff Start Rescue’s position on key animal welfare and No-Kill issues.
  • Proven experience working with the public, developing and maintaining excellent relationships to support goals/mission.
  • This position requires excellent time management and organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to create, plan, organize, and implement programs. Requires knowledge of fundraising strategies, resource development, and donor relations.
  • Conduct regular outreach to qualify prospects through face-to-face visits and other substantive contacts and confirm gift capacity.
  • The Development Officer Coordinator supports annual appeals, special events, gift processing, donor research, and database management, reporting, and analysis. This position also contributes to various functions of communications, outreach, and select strategic initiatives. All activities will be directed and supervised by RSR’s Director of Marketing and Development. PAI’s Development & Communications Manager.

Meetings/Participation

• Attend/Take part in semi-annual volunteer appreciation events.
• Attend and take part in any major events.
• Requires some travel throughout central MN. Evening and weekend hours required on occasion

Personal Characteristics

• Passion for animal welfare
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and discretion. Skilled at handling sensitive and confidential situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills – outgoing, patient, professional, and able to get along well with a variety of people.
• Maturity and good judgment.
• Work as a team player, supporting the overall goals of the organization.
• Possibility-driven, proactive, personable, energetic, collaborative, and tactful.
• Brings a strong drive for results, while maintaining a calm approach to managing change and working through unexpected or challenging situations.

Benefits

• Health insurance is available for employees after 90 days. RSR will pay 50% of the employee’s monthly premium.
• Retirement plan with up to a 3% employer contribution available after 90 days.
• Additional Insurance options are available after 90 days. You pay 100% premium at a discounted group rate
  • • Short term disability
    • Life Insurance
    • Dental Insurance
    • Accident Insurance
    • Hospital Indemnity Insurance
    • Critical Illness Insurance
    • Cancer Insurance
    • Vision Insurance

 PTO

• First-year 10 days Prorated from 90 days
• Years 1 and 2 15 days (3 Weeks)
• Year 3 and 4 20 Days (4 Weeks)
• Year 5 and 6 25 Days (5 Weeks)
• Year 7 + 30 Days (6 Weeks)
• When an employee rolls over to a new year bracket we would prorate from their anniversary date.
• Ruff Start Rescue recognizes seven paid holidays each year. Should a holiday fall on a weekend, the holiday will be observed on the workday closest to the holiday.
• Employee Discount
• Professional Development courses covered up to $200 annually.

Salary: $50,000

Reports to: Director of Marketing and Development

Applicants, please note: to be considered for this position, you must submit a cover letter in addition to a resume to apply@ruffstartrescue.org.

Summary:  The Veterinary Board Member is an active member of the Ruff Start Rescue Board of Directors who is responsible for adhering to general board responsibilities, along with governance authority and responsibility to determine important policies, overall operations, and maintain general, active management of and ultimate control over matters involving professional judgment regarding veterinary medicine and publicly owned animals under Ruff Start Rescue’s care/supervision/treatment. This individual will also provide broad-level overview information and guidance to current staffed veterinarians, CVTs, and program staff. Topics may include but are not limited to, high volume spay/neuter, best practices for veterinary medicine, protocols, shelter medicine. They will help give guidance regarding policies for internal foster animals, as well as the care of public animals performed by Ruff Start Rescue.

Time Commitment: 2-3 hours weekly, in addition to general board time commitments

Location: Current Zoom/Future In-person

Reports to: Board Chair

Responsibilities:

• Provide veterinary expertise to the board, medical department, and staff as needed
• Participate in medical meetings with the programs management team/medical team as needed
• Evaluate quality medical/compliance reports as needed and make recommendations for improvement/expansion of services/revenue opportunities
• Advise staff and board on medical standards, guidelines, protocol, etc. within the clinic and to ensure compliance with MVMA, AVMA, OSHA, and the MN Board of Animal Health

Qualifications:

• An active member of the Ruff Start Rescue Board of Directors
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations within the veterinary field
• Knowledge of issues, concerns, and challenges facing animal welfare organizations, as well as veterinary medicine in general
• Clinical experience in and/or willingness to learn about fast-paced shelter medicine, treating health conditions common in shelter populations, as well as owned pets
• Must have an active DVM License in Minnesota and is willing to keep license active during Board terms
• License must be in good standing with the MVMA

Summary: The Development Board Member is an active member of the Ruff Start Rescue Board of Directors who is responsible for adhering to general board responsibilities, along with providing the board insights, recommendations, and discussion specific to their fundraising and donor expertise.  This individual will also provide the marketing department and staff guidance when needed on topics including, but not limited to: fundraising, revenue planning, events, marketing strategies, and maintaining current donor relations, along with cultivating new ones, etc. 

Time Commitment: 2-3 hours weekly in addition to general board time commitments

Location: Current Zoom/Future In-person 

Reports to: Board Chair

Responsibilities:

• Provide fundraising and donor expertise to the board, executive director, and development department. 
• Member of the Ruff Start Rescue Advancement Committee, which meets virtually, monthly, on the second Tuesday of the month from 3:00-4:00 PM CST.  
• Make recommendations on marketing plans, events, donor relationships, social media strategies, etc.
• Analyze relationships with current and prospective major donors, along with corporate donors, and provide guidance to board, executive director, development department, to cultivate or strengthen those relationships.

• Determine board fundraising expectations and goals with the board chair.
• Engage in advocacy and networking through participation in Ruff Start Rescue Fundraising events and other opportunities to expand Ruff Start Rescue brand

Qualifications: 

• Active member of the Ruff Start Rescue Board of Directors 
• Prior experience with event planning, fundraising, and donor relationships
• Animal welfare and rescue/shelter experience preferred
• Experience with grant writing and application process
• Strong background/knowledge of social media (mainly Facebook/Instagram) preferred
• Experience in public appearances, events, and marketing strategies

Applicants, please note: to be considered for this position, you must submit a cover letter in addition to a resume to apply@ruffstartrescue.org.

Summary: The Secretary is responsible for ensuring that accurate and sufficient documentation exists to meet legal requirements, and to enable authorized persons to determine when, how, and by whom the board’s business was conducted. In order to fulfill these responsibilities, and subject to the organization’s bylaws, the Secretary records minutes of meetings, ensures their accuracy, and availability, proposes policies and practices, submits various reports to the board, maintains membership records, fulfills any other requirements of a Director and Officer, and performs other duties as the need arises and/or as defined in the bylaws.

Time Commitment: 3-4 hours weekly in addition to general board time commitments

Location: Current Zoom/In-person

Reports to: Board Chair

Responsibilities:

• Draft and finalize monthly board meeting agenda with the Board Chair and/or Executive Director.
• Document board meeting notes, create meeting minutes for board review and approval, and maintain board meeting records.
• Ensures board members have access to by-laws.
• Maintain and update board membership records, including, but not limited to terms, contact information, committee membership, etc.
• Manage the general correspondence to the Board of Directors except for such correspondence assigned to others.
• Ensures that board records are available when required for reports, elections, referenda, other votes, etc.
• In the absence of the Executive Director/Board Chair, the Secretary calls the meeting to order, presiding until a temporary chairperson is elected.
• Coordinate guest speakers at board meetings as needed.

Qualifications: 

• Active member of the Ruff Start Rescue Board of Directors
• Ability to maintain organization of records and documents for ease of access.
• Ability to organize communications and follow-up on outstanding items as needed.
• Knowledge of animal welfare is desirable.
• Familiarity with non-profit documents such as Annual Reports, 990, grant requirements, etc. is ideal.
• Effective communication skills and ability to stay on top of regular board communications.
• Experience with Gmail, Google Drive, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel

Applicants, please note: to be considered for this position, you must submit a cover letter in addition to a resume to apply@ruffstartrescue.org.