Advancement Associate

Advancement Associate

The Wildlife Center of Virginia is an internationally acclaimed teaching and research hospital for wildlife and conservation medicine, located in Waynesboro, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The Center’s mission is to “teach the world to care about and care for wildlife and the environment.” Since its founding in 1982, the Center has cared for more than 100,000 wild animals, representing 200 species of native birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The current annual caseload averages about 4600 patients.

The Wildlife Center has a professional staff of about 30 individuals who work together in the veterinary, outreach, operations, and advancement departments. While each of these departments carries out different functions, all staff work closely together as a team to support one another and the Center’s overall mission.

Position Description

The Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV) is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Advancement Associate. This team member provides essential support to the Center’s Institutional Advancement team, assisting with donor communications, relationship stewardship, and donation solicitation, while supporting the management of specific donor programs. Primary responsibilities include managing daily mail collection and dissemination, assembling and mailing in-house appeals and other donor-related materials, and fulfilling retail orders. Additionally, the Advancement Associate assists with planning and executing special events, including the Center’s Annual Gala & Benefit Auction.

Duties and Responsibilities (training provided)

• Maintain relationships with Wildlife Center donors through regular correspondence.
• Conduct research for current donors and donor prospects and record in Salesforce if appropriate
• Coordinate with the Director of Institutional Advancement regarding moves management of Wildlife Center prospects
• Schedule meetings with donors to schedule tours of the Center or off-site meetings
• Answer inquiries via phone and email, share information about donor programs, and facilitate in-person donor tours of the Center.
• Resolve donor issues, including updating expired credit cards for recurring gifts, gift changes, or updates to contact information
• Assists with donor record-keeping and contact reporting.
• Represent the Center at public events, including open houses and patient releases.
• Personal acknowledgment of a range of online donations
• Updates returned addresses in Salesforce

Project Support

• Collect, photograph, measure, and mail all auction items for our annual gala auction, and work with donors who may have to arrange item pickup.
• Work with Center staff on the design and order of mailing materials or electronic communication. Coordinate the mailing execution of special in-house publications and other donor-related materials by preparing, assembling, and ensuring timely distribution of print and electronic communications in collaboration with Center staff.

Retail & Sponsorship Programs

• Lead responsibility for the Center’s Caring for Critters program, including fulfilling sponsorship orders, maintaining sponsorship records and materials, and acknowledgment of these purchases.
• Fulfill and ship retail orders.
• Manage the Center’s retail inventory.

Departmental Support

• Record meeting notes for Institutional Advancement team meetings, Institutional Advancement Committee meetings, and campaign meetings and assign and distribute Action Items from each meeting.
• Collect mail from the post office each day and distribute mail to appropriate staff members.
• Prepare and post special in-house mailings throughout the year.
• Solicit donations from a portfolio of Wildlife Center donors.
• Assist in the development of annual fundraising goals and projections.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma
• Commitment to wildlife, conservation, and the environment
• Professional appearance and demeanor
• Valid driver’s license  2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine

Preferred Qualifications

• One year in a relevant field
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with colleagues in an effort to achieve common goals of the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications, donor databases (experience with Salesforce preferred), and other office technology.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability and willingness to engage professionally and courteously with donors, fostering positive relationships.
• Basic technical proficiency; ability to perform basic troubleshooting and knowledge of office software; ability to learn new systems.
• Demonstrated ability to handle diverse, complex tasks independently, efficiently, accurately, and under time constraints.
• Ability to thoroughly edit documents, including those for donor distribution, widely distributed emails, etc.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• Initiative and creativity in problem-solving.
• Ability to organize, set goals, and meet deadlines.
• Professional appearance and demeanor for both workplace and donor interactions.
• Interest in wildlife, the environment, and conservation.

Compensation and Benefits

• An hourly rate of $18.25 per hour, with additional compensation for overtime.
• The work week will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional weekend work and travel required for special events, in person or online. Ability for occasional teleworking.
• 80 hours of vacation time per year
• 40 hours of personal time per year
• 48 hours of sick time per year
• 50% health insurance coverage through a group plan

Application Requirements

Interested applicants must submit the following through the Center’s website: http://www.wildlifecenter.org/hiring

• CV or Resume
• Letter of intent
• Three references

For further inquiries, please contact:

Chris Aycock

Director of Institutional Advancement

Wildlife Center of Virginia

PO Box 1557, Waynesboro, VA 22980

caycock@wildlifecenter.org

No phone calls, please. Center phone lines are best kept open for wildlife emergencies.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV) is an equal opportunity employer. WCV will not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical condition), disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, citizenship, or any other class protected by applicable law. We reserve the right to alter, change, modify, and/or terminate this job posting at any time without notice, or obligation, to any party

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.25 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18