Are you a passionate fundraising professional? Do you love to create long-lasting relationships with donors and the community? Are you excited about the Zoo’s mission to connect people with animals? If you’re thinking YES, then we have the job for you!

The Santa Barbara Zoo’s Advancement Department is hiring an Annual & Special Giving Officer. We are seeking a full-time, front-line fundraiser who is strategic, self-motivated, energetic, creative, and detail-oriented. This position is focused on raising major gifts and general support while managing all aspects of the Zoo’s annual and special giving programs including identifying and cultivating prospects and donors for future, long-term engagement.

A strong teamwork ethic and excitement for the Zoo’s mission is required. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of fundraising practices and specifically annual giving, a BA in related field and/or at least two years’ experience in fundraising, communications, marketing, or a related field. Must have excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytical, verbal and written communication skills, demonstrate initiative, and be a problem solver. Good sense of humor and creative use of animal puns, a plus!

Compensation: $26.45 per hour. This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position with a benefits package which includes heath care, vision, and dental coverage.

Position available: January 2021. During the Pandemic Stay at Home order, must be available to work a combination of on-site and remote schedule depending on Santa Barbara County Health and State orders. May be expected to work extra hours during the month of August and a few weekends throughout the year based on events and business needs.JOB DESCRIPTIONUnder the general direction of the Director of Advancement, the Annual & Special Giving Officer is responsible for securing donations in support of the Zoo. The Annual & Special Giving Officer manages all aspects of the Zoo’s annual and special giving programs including the annual appeal, Foster Feeders program, plaques, and on-site, online, and other special giving opportunities while identifying and cultivating prospects and donors for future, long-term engagement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES include the following:

General Advancement Responsibilities

Develops and maintains effective, fruitful, and long-term relationships with donors

Assists in maintaining donor databases and filing system

Contributes to Zoo News, Z-mail, social media, and other applicable media/publications as appropriate

Assist with the creation of fundraising materials and activities (including marketing materials, emails, appeals, signs, website, and events) to ensure the highest standards of the Zoo brand integrity

Creates mailing lists and reports as needed

Leads donor cultivation/stewardship tours

Monitors and tracks the activities of donor cultivation/stewardship

Provides input on policies and procedures related to Advancement

Stays current and knowledgeable on AZA, the Santa Barbara Zoo’s mission, collection, history, programs, projects, and practices

Participates in and contributes to regular Advancement department meetings

Supports fundraising efforts for special projects and special programs

Contributes to Advancement department annual planning and budgeting process

Supports all Advancement cultivation/stewardship activities and events

Shares critical information, best practices, and procedures on a consistent basis with staff through meetings that further departmental goals and productivity

Edits Advancement and Zoo-wide publications as needed

Attends professional fundraising training opportunities as warranted

Researches prospective donors and current donors and creates reports as needed

Creates donor recognition gifts and coordinates distribution of these gifts as needed

Responsible for networking within the community as a Zoo Advancement representative

Other assignments as needed

Annual Appeals

Plans, implements, and tracks all aspects of the direct mail appeals

Cultivates prospects and secures funds through for the annual appeal program

Prepares mailing lists

Writes appeals and corresponding thank you letters

Works with a designer to design the appeals

Uses direct mail, e-blast, website, and other opportunities to promote giving through the annual appeals

Ensures benefits are provided to donors in a timely manner

Regularly tracks and reports results and trends to the Director of Advancement

Foster Feeders

Plans, implements, and tracks all aspects of the Foster Feeder program

Cultivates prospects and secures major gifts through for the Premier Foster Feeder program

Maintains regular communication with Premier Foster Feeders and offers special opportunities for these donors

Promotes Foster Feeder program to increase participation and revenue through specials, events, brochure distribution, website updates, direct mail appeals, articles in quarterly newsletter, e-blast, and other promotional opportunities

Coordinates the processing of Foster Feeder fulfillments (mailing packages and updating recognition board) and renewal notices

Coordinates all Foster Feeder events, including animal debuts

Regularly tracks and reports results and trends of Foster Feeder program to Director of Advancement

Circle Membership Programs

Contacts Zoo members at the $500+ member level to redeem their Advancement-related benefits including coordinating and leading tours, personally inviting to special events, etc.

Regularly tracks and reports results and trends on circle level membership to Director of Advancement

Honorarium & Memorial Program

Coordinates and is responsible for all aspects of the Zoo’s honorarium and memorial program (including pet memorial program)

Meets with donors to locate appropriate locations (benches, trees, and gardens) for plaques

Coordinates routine monthly maintenance of all existing plaques

Promotes Honorarium & Memorial Program as needed

Processes Honorarium & Memorial gifts (including notifying honoree or families about donations)

Tracks and reports on Honorarium & Memorial Program to Director of Advancement regularly

Regularly maintains the plaque chart and map and ensures all members Advancement are familiar with this and are able to use it

Ensures plaques are ordered and installed in an attractive and timely manner

On-site Giving Program

Plans, implements, and tracks all aspects of on-site giving opportunities

Works with Animal Care & Health, Guest Services, Retail, and Culinary Programs departments to promote on-site giving opportunities with signage and other creative promotional opportunities to promote on-site giving

Online Giving Program

Plans and implements all aspects of online giving opportunities

Works with the Advancement, Education, Guest Services/Events, and Marketing departments, to promote giving opportunities online through multiple avenues

Other Advancement Responsibilities

Coordinates annual holiday video

Works with the Director of Advancement to assist with Phoenix Society activities and other special campaign activities

Supports Zoofari Ball as needed

SECONDARY DUTIES:

Organization-wide Responsibilities

Adheres to Zoo’s policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Policy Manual

Applies and exemplifies “green” (sustainable) practices whenever possible

Participates in Zoo-wide events and all-employee meetings

Participates in cross-departmental committees/teams as a contributing representative of the Advancement department

Guest Relations Responsibilities

Answers phone calls, voice mails, and e-mails promptly

Ensures the Zoo’s presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance are met by keeping work areas clean, picking up trash, reporting unsafe or unsightly conditions

Assists Zoo guests with any questions while on Zoo grounds

Maintains a clean neat appearance and adheres to the Zoo’s uniform dress code

Takes responsibility to stay informed about happenings at the Zoo, such as reading employee communications and attending meetings

Reflects the qualities outlined in the Guest Relations Statement, the Employee Pledge, and our Core Values

Other duties as assigned

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and environmental characteristics described below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and working and physical elements required of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree and/or relevant experience preferably in fundraising, communications, marketing, or related field

Prior successful experience in fundraising preferred; minimum two years

Passion

Willingness to support the mission and guiding principles of the Santa Barbara Zoo

Ability to work a flexible schedule (including some holidays and weekends) to accommodate fundraising, volunteer and external events including occasional nights and weekends; travel as needed

Knowledge & Skills

Ability to comfortably interact courteously and respectfully with persons of all ages and diverse backgrounds, skills, and abilities including all levels of management, fellow employees, volunteers, and guests

Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive information

Ability to handle conflict resolution in a professional manner and to respond to sensitive matters or situation with discretion, tact, and confidentiality

Ability to present self in a personable, professional, and energetic manner

Ability to exercise safe work habits

Ability to utilize planning tools to effectively work under pressure, multi-task, use independent judgment and produce quality work within tight time frame to meet deadlines

Ability to create and implement systems and follow-up processes

Demonstrate collaborative skills, including the ability to work as a leader and as part of a team

Demonstrate initiative, creativity, and enthusiasm

Demonstrate exceptional customer service in person, on the phone, and through email

Demonstrate strong oral and written communication, attention to detail, presentation, and interpersonal skills

Demonstrate strong writing, editing and proofreading skills

Proficiency with software tools such as Microsoft Office, Canva, and donor databases, Raiser’s Edge preferred

Understanding of telephone and office etiquette

Licenses & Certifications

Valid CA Driver’s License with good driving record and insurance coverage is required

Successful completion of a Department of Justice background check

TB testing yearly

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Most work is performed inside the office environment

Occasionally involves working out-of-doors in all weather conditions

Requires the ability to access all areas of the facility

Must be able to regularly climb stairs, manipulate computer and office tools, stand/walk for up to eight continuous hours, sit in front of a PC, and use tools

Ability to occasionally lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs

The ability to coordinate a variety of tasks simultaneously and handle tension and stress in a positive manner is required

Must attend all events related to the position

Supportive and open employment culture

Tools Used

Standard office equipment including computer, telephone, copier, facsimile machine, color and laser printers, calculator, paper cutter, laminator, and others as require

Digital camera

Electric cart

Two-way radio

This job description is representative of the expectations of the position described. Additional duties, reporting relationships, and/or position criteria may be assigned as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative. No changes to this job description shall be made without written permission by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative.

The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time. The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship.