Development Associate

Background:

Alaska Wilderness League is the only national conservation group devoted full-time to protecting Alaska’s public lands and waters including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Tongass National Forest. We are committed to promoting a narrative that elevates a broad spectrum of voices and values related to protecting public lands, including providing for a safer climate future; supporting the human rights of Indigenous peoples; advocating for the right to clean, thriving and healthy land, water and wildlife for all; and serving as a source of hope and inspiration for the country. We are also committed to promoting justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in our workplace by deepening our understanding of the history of federal lands and waters in our country, by reimagining conservation as a tool for justice, and by advancing diversity and inclusion in the environmental community by transforming our hiring and recruitment practices for both staff and board.

You can learn more about Alaska Wilderness League’s mission, vision, approach and commitment to justice here.

Primary Role:

The Development Associate plays a critical role in the League’s day-to-day fundraising operations, working to assist in all areas of giving (Major Donors, Annual Fund, Monthly Giving, Corporate and Foundations). The position works with all members of the development department to make sure Alaska Wilderness League has the funds to conduct its efforts to protect wild Alaska. The Development Associate reports to the League’s Director of Member Engagement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Database and Gift Management:
  • Updating donor records, logging donations, and maintaining data integrity in the League’s CRM (EveryAction);
  • Fulfilling data segment requests for online and offline mailings;
  • Creating online donation and advocacy forms as needed, working with Database Manager to ensure tracking systems are in place;
  • Managing the League’s donor acknowledgment processes;
• Events:
  • Managing the Zoom platform for department; assisting Director of Development with in-person events as needed;
• Donor Communications:
  • Managing the creation of the League’s annual report;
  • Supporting the creation and editing of solicitation letters, newsletter articles, occasional blog posts and social media ads;
  • Completing stewardship and solicitation calls as needed;
  • Responding to donor and activist inquiries via phone and email;
  • Enhancing monthly donor retention through personal follow ups via phone, letter and email;
  • Refreshing website pages with relevant information as needed;
• Foundation and Corporate Giving
  • Supporting the League’s grant writing efforts through deadline tracking and relevant document management;
  • Researching prospective funders and preparing donor profiles for Executive Director and Development Director’s donor meetings;
• Administrative:
  • Notetaking during regular team meetings;
  • Handling office and mailing needs (e.g. mailing donor thank you packages, managing office inventory);
  • Helping with expense reports;
  • Participating in acquisition of premiums for members;
  • Other duties, as they arise

Ideal candidates will have:

• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness
• Excitement to join a team of development professionals who are eager to test out new ideas and increase their fundraising goals each year
• Experience in, or at least an eagerness to learn to work in a database
• Strong communication skills – spoken and in writing
• A willingness to pitch in
• An ability to adhere to a code of ethics and maintain confidentiality of privileged information

The strongest candidates will also have some of the following skills and experience:

• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and Word
• Background in working with relational databases, a.k.a. CRM software (EveryAction, Raiser’s Edge, Salsa, Salesforce, etc)
• One to two years of professional work experience;
• An Associate or Bachelor’s degree is helpful, though not required

Compensation and Benefits

The League provides its employees with a competitive salary that is benchmarked annually with other nonprofits. The League also provides a comprehensive benefits package, including generous health insurance for individuals and competitive rates for families/dependents, 24 PTO days and all federal holidays, a 3% contribution to the 401K retirement plan, and a collegial environment that supports professional development, wellness, and flexible telecommuting options.

Compensation for this role starts at $47K and can increase based on the candidate’s level of experience.

Location

This position is located in Washington, D.C., and some travel may be expected (approximately 1-2 times per year).

Alaska Wilderness League is an equal opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by our issue. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ people, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities to apply.

The Application Process

To apply, please complete the short form. (Ideally collected via webform) OR submit your name, e-mail, phone number, resume and responses to the following questions to HR@alaskawild.org.

• Where did you hear about this opportunity? (Options: AWL website, Job board (specify below), referral from friend or colleague (specify below), other (specify below)

 Field to specify whom you were referred by in section above.

• Why are you excited about the opportunity to join the Alaska Wilderness League's team? What about the organization’s approach and mission excite you most? [100 words Max]
• [OPTIONAL]We review every application with human eyes. If you want to tell us more about why you're excited to pursue this opportunity or illustrate your candidacy in more detail, we encourage you to do so here. We appreciate your candor and like to look at links. However, please note that a traditional cover letter is no good here.

Individuals who apply by 5/25/22, will be given priority; therefore, we encourage you to submit yours soon!

When you apply, please remove the names of your undergraduate and graduate schools from your resume. There is no need to reformat your resume, but simplify it to “B.A. Economics,” for example. This process is aimed at opening this opportunity to more candidates, reviewing applicants on performance assessments instead of resume proxies (e.g., where you went to school).

This evaluation process will follow best practices shown to reduce bias in decision making and may be different from other application processes you have experienced.

The overall evaluation process will look to follow this anticipated timeline:

• Mid-May-Early June: Selected candidates asked to complete short answer questions
• Early June: Video interview with League Staff
• Post-Interview: Finalist candidates will be asked to complete a timed trial assignment
• Late June: Finalists will participate in a multi-team member group interview via video conference.

o     Candidate references will also be checked at this step

• Late June: Offer extended

If you have any questions about the opportunity, please feel free to email HR@alaskawild.org

The League requires its employees to be fully vaccinated and up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines unless they are approved for an exemption as allowed under federal and applicable state law. Unless approved for an exemption, new hires must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination at the time of hire, and offers of employment will be contingent on compliance with the League’s AWL’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.  Any documentation received is treated confidentially in accordance with applicable law.  A copy of the Leagues COVID-19 vaccination policy will be provided to individuals to whom offers of employment are made.