Overall Summary and Description:
Ruff Start Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit foster-based companion animal rescue based in Princeton, Minnesota, that serves the entire state. RSR rescues thousands of animals annually, including dogs, cats, and critters.
Job Description:
Are you looking to gain some work experience and build your skills in fundraising and development? We are seeking an ambitious, energetic, and collaborative individual to serve as the organization’s Development Assistant. The Development Assistant is responsible for providing general administrative support to the development team, working effectively with team members to achieve development goals. You will be responsible for managing Ruff Start Rescue’s donor database and donation process, as well as gift processing, donor acknowledgment, database management, donor cultivation, and donor stewardship. You will work closely with the development team, as well as our accounting manager. The Development Assistant will represent the organization with a high level of professionalism, organization, and friendliness.
Availability:
This is a part-time hourly position of 15-20 hours per week. Workload may fluctuate based on the volume of donations per wee. This is a fully remote position with the opportunity to work at our Princeton office location if desired. You must be able to check in daily.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Gift Processing and Data Management (45%)
- Actively maintain the Development Team’s DMS (Donor Management System), updating pertinent information as it relates to donor actions, proposals, appeals, reports, gifts, and relevant contact information.
- Responsible for all gift processing in our DMS, along with designating donations for the accounting manager.
- Ensure data integrity through accurate data entry and ongoing clean-up efforts
- Manage the timely acknowledgment of gifts and ensure that all types of donations (cash, pledges, matching gifts, grants, special events, planned gifts, etc.) are properly documented and in accordance with IRS requirements.
Administrative Support (25%)
- Provide administrative support to the Director of Development,
- Assist with the writing and editing of appeals, acknowledgments, donor news, reports, and proposals
- Prepare accurate research and reports on prospects and assemble materials for cultivation and solicitation visits for the Development Director, Development Officer, and Executive Director.
- Collaborate with Accounting Manager.
- Oversee the development membership subscriptions and renewals
- Other duties as assigned
Donor Cultivation & Stewardship (15%)
- The Development Assistant will respond to internal and external constituents and project a professional image for Ruff Start through customer interaction and maintain a high degree of confidentiality as they work with donors, volunteers, staff, and the public.
- Communicate with donors in person, on the phone, and by email.
Volunteers (15%)
- Train and oversee volunteer Animal Supply Gift Coordinators to handle all incoming in-kind donation requests
- Train and oversee volunteer Donation Recorders
- Hold quarterly meetings with volunteers; fill in whenever volunteer vacancies exist.
- Update Donation Procedures and other donation training materials as needed
- Ensure processes are efficient and effective; make recommendations and changes as needed
Required qualifications:
- A passion for animals and Ruff Start Rescue’s mission.
- Minimum of two years of experience with data entry and data management
- Curiosity and interest in being part of a development team and learning the function of philanthropy within a nonprofit organization
- Proficiency in advanced computing functions such as downloads and merge/purge operations from the database, querying, and data analysis to generate ad hoc reports to meet specifications and create complex presentations, including advanced formatting.
- Ability to research and find pertinent information effectively and efficiently.
- Significant attention to detail and superior organizational skills
- Excellent interpersonal and public relations skills, professional phone skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills – within and outside the organization
- Ability to self-start, prioritize, and multi-task, along with the ability to work quickly and efficiently.
- Ability to quickly adapt to new equipment and technology
- Ability to work alongside and provide guidance to volunteers
- Have access to reliable smartphone and computer with Zoom capabilities to host trainings/meetings.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with fundraising and/or program-related databases.
- Experience using DMS (donation management software)
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in business, non-profit administration, finance, or a related field
- Animal welfare experience
A successful candidate will:
- Have a positive attitude
- Take initiative
- Be a self-starter
- Be extremely reliable
- Be trusted with very sensitive and confidential information
- Be reliable and consistent in thought with the ability to make common-sense decisions
Lead and Supervise:
- Volunteer Donation Recorders
- Volunteer Animal Supply Gift Coordinators
Reports To: Director of Development
Compensation: $18/Hr
Applicants, Please note: Send a cover letter and resume to apply@ruffstartrescue.org. Interested applicants who do not include both items in their submission will not be considered.
Careers
Our staff is devoted to showing up for Ruff Start’s animals, volunteers, and fosters. To see who currently comprises our staff, visit our team page.
We are currently hiring for the below opportunities. Please carefully read each position description and rules to apply before submitting your application.
Employment Opportunities
Director of Development
Are you looking for a rewarding and meaningful career? A career that allows you to utilize your skills while saving the lives of countless animals? Ruff Start Rescue has a position for you. The Director of Development, a key member of Ruff Start Rescue’s leadership team, is responsible for envisioning and executing a comprehensive fundraising 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, major gifts, planned giving, grants, and fundraising events. The ideal candidate will be a strong relationship builder and organizational storyteller.
Availability: Ability and willingness to allow for a flexible schedule are key. This is a salaried position with a time commitment of at least 40 hours a week. You will be required to be in the office (Princeton) 4-5 days per week, depending on off site meetings and responsibilities. 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:
You would have an opportunity to:
Specific Job Skills and Requirements
Personal Characteristics
Ruff Start Rescue offers a Competitive Salary & a desirable benefits package including health insurance, PTO, and retirement plans. The organization recognizes seven paid holidays / year.
Applicants: to be considered for this position, please send a cover letter and current resume to: apply@ruffstartrescue.org.
Relief Veterinary Technician
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:
Qualifications:
Personal Characteristics
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.
Chief of Staff
Are you looking for a rewarding and meaningful career? A career that allows you to utilize your professional background while saving the lives of countless animals? Ruff Start Rescue has a position for you. As a key member of the leadership team, the Chief of Staff reports directly to the Executive Director and develops strategies, and oversees the execution of plans to attain short and long-term goals. The COS establishes policies and procedures that promote organizational vision, support business sustainability, and growth, and minimize risk. They are responsible for overseeing and handling the day-to-day operations of the rescue. The COS will act as the executive director’s right hand and trusted advisor, allowing the ED to free up their time to focus on moving the mission forward. The COS will have a bird’s eye view across teams and departments, allowing them to connect the dots in ways others can’t.
Availability:
This is a salaried position with a time commitment of at least 40 hours a week. These hours are a mix of work-from-home days and required in-office days (Princeton) of at least three days a week. Daily emailing and phone calls are a must.
You would have an opportunity to:
Directly Support the Executive Director:
Project Management
Strategic Planning and Alignment
Hiring and Management
Specific Job Skills and requirements
Meetings/Participation
Personal Characteristics
Do the duties listed fit your skills and experience? We are looking for a master organizer who has a passion for animal welfare.
Ruff Start Rescue offers a Competitive Salary & a desirable benefits package, including health insurance, PTO, and retirement plans. RSR recognizes seven paid holidays per year.
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
Shuttle Driver
Are you looking for a part-time position that impacts thousands of animals’ lives each year?
Ruff Start Rescue is seeking a Driver to drive our weekly surgery shuttle. The driver will drive a company-provided vehicle to and from a Golden Valley location on surgery days. The Shuttle driver will provide transport for Ruff Start Rescue’s animals who currently live in the metro up to our Princeton location.
Time Commitment:
Duties and Responsibilities:
Specific Job Skills and requirements
Personal Characteristics
Salary: $18 an hour
This is a temporary grant-funded position. The grant is intended to fund this position during the 2023 calendar year.
Applicants, please note: to be considered for this position, you must submit a cover letter in addition to a resume to apply@ruffstartrescue.org
Development Assistant
Overall Summary and Description:
Ruff Start Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit foster-based companion animal rescue based in Princeton, Minnesota, that serves the entire state. RSR rescues thousands of animals annually, including dogs, cats, and critters.
Job Description:
Are you looking to gain some work experience and build your skills in fundraising and development? We are seeking an ambitious, energetic, and collaborative individual to serve as the organization’s Development Assistant. The Development Assistant is responsible for providing general administrative support to the development team, working effectively with team members to achieve development goals. You will be responsible for managing Ruff Start Rescue’s donor database and donation process, as well as gift processing, donor acknowledgment, database management, donor cultivation, and donor stewardship. You will work closely with the development team, as well as our accounting manager. The Development Assistant will represent the organization with a high level of professionalism, organization, and friendliness.
Availability:
This is a part-time hourly position of 15-20 hours per week. Workload may fluctuate based on the volume of donations per wee. This is a fully remote position with the opportunity to work at our Princeton office location if desired. You must be able to check in daily.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Gift Processing and Data Management (45%)
Administrative Support (25%)
Donor Cultivation & Stewardship (15%)
Volunteers (15%)
Required qualifications:
Preferred qualifications:
A successful candidate will:
Lead and Supervise:
Reports To: Director of Development
Compensation: $18/Hr
Applicants, Please note: Send a cover letter and resume to apply@ruffstartrescue.org. Interested applicants who do not include both items in their submission will not be considered.
High Level Volunteer Opportunities
Board Member
Reports to: Board Chair
Role: To serve as a voting member of the Board of Directors
Term: Two Years
Time Expectations:
Obligations:
Note
BOARD MEMBER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
How to apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to apply@ruffstartrescue.org with “RSR Board Member” in the subject line.
**Candidates who do not follow application instructions and/or do not send all requested documents will not be considered**
Veterinary Board Member
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:
Qualifications:
Marketing & Development Board Member
Summary: The Marketing and 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:
Qualifications:
Applicants, please note: to be considered for this position, you must submit a cover letter in addition to a resume to apply@ruffstartrescue.org.
Secretary of the Board
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:
Qualifications:
Applicants, please note: to be considered for this position, you must submit a cover letter in addition to a resume to apply@ruffstartrescue.org.