Careers

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:

• Development Area
  • Donor and Database Management coordinator
  • Grant Writers
  • Events Manager
  • Annual Giving Officer
  • Additional development staff as the department grows

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 grant writers 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.
• Create, recruit, hire and oversee a planned giving officer in order to 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

• A love for animals and the organization’s mission.
• 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.
• 3+ years of experience managing and/or leading a team of employees.
• 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 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 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: $65,000 / 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

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.

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 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:

• 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.