Careers

Overall Summary and Description:
Are you looking for a rewarding and meaningful career? How about one with lovable and cuddly companion animals? Ruff Start Rescues has a position for you. The Director of Marketing & Development, a key member of Ruff Start Rescue’s leadership team, is responsible for envisioning and executing a comprehensive fundraising and communications strategy that advances our mission, helps increase philanthropic support from donors, and drives our growth plan.  This role focuses heavily on fundraising, program support, development, and diversifying revenue streams to maintain organizational goals and objectives. This position is also responsible for supervising a team of four direct reports and ensuring that their tasks are being completed in a timely and efficient manner. This position will oversee all aspects of the fund development program including general donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, major gifts, planned giving, recurring giving, special events, and merchandising.

Availability:
This is a salaried position with a time commitment of at least 40 hours a week. The majority of these hours can be done remotely but you will be required to be in the office (Princeton) at least 2 or 3 days a week.  Daily emailing and/or phone calls is a must. We do have set office hours but there may be times you go over these hours if needed depending on your job duties.

Lead and Supervise: 

• Marketing Area
  • Marketing and Communications Manager
• Development Area
  • Donor and Database Management Coordinator
  • Grants Manager
  • Grant Writer
  • Events Manager

You would have an opportunity to:

• Develop comprehensive fundraising and marketing plans and objectives in conjunction with the Executive team with targeted goals, quantifiable outcomes, and timelines.
• Prepare budgets and effectively manage financials, staff, and department resources to achieve these goals and objectives.
• Secure and maintain financial support from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Forms of solicitation will include electronic, printed materials, virtual, phone calls, and face-to-face.
• Oversee in-kind donation solicitation and ensure proper recording is completed.
• Work with the grants manager to ensure the success of continued growth of grant funding, grant calendar for proposals, and reporting for secured grants.
• Assist with both annual and one-time special events.
• Create innovative fundraising opportunities to remain competitive and ensure long-term financial growth even during economic downturns. This task will require a great deal of market research collected through the web, seminar participation, word of mouth, and reaching out to animal welfare organizations nationwide on successful tools and ideas.
• Build and maintain a planned giving program.
• Assist with strategic planning to ensure that Ruff Start Rescue establishes and implements a long-term strategic plan with measurable outcomes and annual goals that move the organization toward achieving its long-term, strategic goals.
• Responsible for donor/sponsor acknowledgment and recognition.
• Coach management staff under your supervision to be long-term successful leaders. Set them up for success to oversee internal volunteers or other staff members under their leadership. This includes, but is not limited to: recruiting, rewarding, and retaining direct reports.
• Other duties as assigned

Specific Job Skills and requirements 

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, human services, non-profit management, or related field.
• 5-plus years of experience in funds development. A proven track record of major gift solicitation success, particularly with corporations as well as hitting aggressive contributed revenue goals.
• Experience in all aspects of the grants process (prospecting, proposal development, post-award reporting)
• Understanding of major gifts process, and knowledge and resources available to ensure compliance with non-profit donation tax laws and reporting.
• Experience preferred in Planned Giving, Endowment, Grants, and Capital Campaigns.
• Proven experience working with the public, developing and maintaining excellent relationships to support goals/mission.
• Have the knowledge, experience, and ability to assist in launching a capital campaign.
• This position requires excellent time management and organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to create, plan, organize, and implement programs and events. Ability to supervise staff and direct a variety of volunteers.  Must be comfortable with public speaking. Requires knowledge of fundraising strategies, resource development, and donor relations.

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.
• 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.
• A deep and abiding passion for professionally advocating Ruff Start Rescue’s position on key animal welfare and No-Kill issues.

Benefits

• Health insurance is available for employees after the 90s. 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 day.
• 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: DOQ

Reports to: Executive Director

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

Overall Summary and Description: The Events Manager will oversee the planning, promotion, and execution of awareness, fundraising, and other community events for Ruff Start Rescue. This position will work closely with staff and volunteers to ensure events are successful. The Events Manager will also prepare, when necessary, budgets and ROIs for events. This position will bring awareness and help generate revenue in support of the mission: Ruff Start Rescue is dedicated to saving the lives of at-risk animals. We also collaborate, communicate, and educate about the importance of animal rescue and welfare.

Availability: At least 40+ hours a week. Must have a flexible schedule and availability. Weekend and evening hours may be required on a monthly basis. Must be able to attend monthly meetings and be on-site at the Princeton facility 3 days a week. The majority of events will take place in the Twin Cities metro and Princeton areas.  This position is roughly 80% administrative work and 20% working at events.

This position oversees:

• Adoption Day Event Coordinators
• Community Event Coordinators
• Events Marketing Coordinators
• Event Leads
• Event Volunteers

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Seek out new event prospects, schedule events, recruit volunteers and event leads, assist with promotion, and successfully implement events.
• Brainstorm, plan, and execute fundraising events including Ruff Start’s annual Wellness Clinic and annual Online Auction.
• Recruit, train, engage and maintain volunteers.
• Collect and transport supplies and acquire fosters for events that allow animals.
• Work alongside the communications department to develop promotional materials and graphics to disperse through appropriate marketing channels.
• Assist in networking all events through social media, email, fliers, newspapers, radio, television, etc. as appropriate.
• Track ticket sales or registration information as necessary in Google Drive spreadsheets.
• Ensure ticketing information is uploaded to organization’s CRM.
• Track donations acquired and pertinent statistics that resulted from events.
• Respond promptly to emails and phone calls regarding community events, expos, and small fundraisers on a daily basis.
• Collaborate with volunteers and staff on prospective and existing events.
• Track budgets, all expenses, and income for each event.
• Oversee the Adoption Day Coordinators to ensure that adoption events remain well-executed and successful.
• Oversee fundraising activities like the annual GoGo Photo Calendar Contest, Pie/Pizza type fundraisers, etc.
• Oversee a team of 9+ volunteers that assist with planning and day-of logistics for events.
• Responsible for raising $100,000+ in event and fundraising revenue on an annual basis.

Qualifications:

• Ability to handle multiple tasks and work in a fast-paced environment under sometimes tight deadlines.
• Must be 21+ and have reliable transportation.
• Must be willing to attend events and fundraisers in central MN as needed.
• Must be able to work on-site at least 3 days weekly at the facility in Princeton.
• Must be available to work some weekends and evenings as appropriate.
• Non-profit experience is a plus. Animal welfare or related fields are a plus.
• Collaboration skills are a must to value differences, build rapport and discuss Ruff Start policies, procedures, and changes effectively.
• Access to the internet on a daily basis.  Must have a laptop.
• Access to the internet and a smartphone on a daily basis to respond to emails, create meeting notes, recruit, and share information through social media.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel.
• Proficiency in the use of web and social media sites such as WordPress, Facebook, Eventbrite, Instagram, and Twitter.
• Ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision and direction.
• Exceptional organizational skills.

Personal Characteristics

• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and discretion. Skilled at handling sensitive and confidential situations.
• 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.
• Well organized.
• Respect for all people and animals.
• Must be able to approach problem-solving logically, research history, avoid biases and focus on what is in the best interest of the rescue data to draw the right conclusions—even under pressure.
• A deep and abiding passion for professionally advocating Ruff Start Rescue’s position on key animal welfare and No-Kill issues.

Benefits – All Benefits are offered after 90 days

• Health insurance will be available for Full-time employees. RSR will pay 50% of the employee’s monthly premium.
• Retirement plan with up to a 3% employee contribution.
• Optional insurance options available – 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 Offered
  • Year Less than 1, 10 days Prorated from 90 days (Potentially 2 Weeks)
  • 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
• Professional Development courses covered up to $200 annually.

Reports To: Director of Marketing and Development

Salary: $40,000

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

Are you an animal-loving leader who is passionate and motivated to make a difference in the lives of animals in need? The intake manager is responsible for creating, maintaining, and executing intake protocols including best practices. One of the most important responsibilities of this position is creating and maintaining relationships with our current and future partners in animal welfare. The Intake Manager will provide supervision and training of volunteer intake coordinators to ensure they have the support and tools needed to successfully place animals in foster homes. A successful candidate will also demonstrate Ruff Start Rescue Values: Compassion, Commitment, Connection, Innovation, and Authenticity.

Availability:

At least 40+ hours a week. A typical schedule would be 2-3 days in the Princeton, MN office with occasional weekends filling in as needed if direct reports need assistance or coverage. Daily emailing and/or phone calls are a must. Once trained and can work independently there is potential for remote work a couple of times a week

This position oversees: 

• Transport Partner Specialist
• A team of approx 25 volunteer Intake Coordinators with various roles

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Represent Ruff Start Rescue in a professional, polite, and enthusiastic manner.
• Recruit, train and manage volunteer intake coordinators to ensure they follow RSR policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Developing and updating policies, procedures, & protocols to maintain intake, safety, and transport best practices
• Tracking key performance indicators from all angles to identify gaps and potential areas of improvement and to ensure that foster animals are adopted as quickly as possible, thus maximizing the capacity of the foster program to save more lives
• Understand the resources of the organization at any given time, so intake is in alignment with organization resources (capacity, medical, behavior, age) and needs.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment
• Strong animal handling, behavioral knowledge as well as breed experience skills
• Ability to work with a diverse population and establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with the public, donors, volunteers, and management in a respectful and courteous manner
• Handling customer service issues and more serious situations like lost dogs, dog bites, and dog fights with fosters and adopters.
• Administrative responsibilities include but not limited to managing document inventory, updating databases, and maintaining communications
• Provides compassion and non-judgmental advice to people surrendering or returning their pets.
• Provides monthly animal intake stats to staff and board of directors.

Qualifications:

• Must have 3+ years of management and leadership skills.
• At least 1 year of experience with animal sheltering, rescue groups, or veterinary medicine
• Past customer service based seminars are preferred
• Experience using Facebook, Gmail, and google drive
• Social media and marketing experience preferred
• Knowledge and understanding of animal breeds and temperaments.
• Ability to motivate a team and to use sound judgment when guiding staff and volunteers.
• Positive, team-oriented, supportive attitude.

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 is available for employees after the 90s. 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 day.
• 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: $35,568 + DOQ

Reports to: Director of Programs

How to Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references 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.