Development Associate

We are always seeking dynamic individuals who believe in and will help fulfill our mission. The Cleveland APL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote a drug‑free workplace through pre‑employment and random post‑employment testing. Position: Development Associate Location: 1729 Willey Ave, Cleveland, OH Position Summary Enters gifts into Raiser’s Edge (RE), produces acknowledgment letters, and assists development department as assigned. Essential Job Functions Accurately records and processes monetary and in‑kind donations in RE. Sets up new records, flags duplicate records and works to maintain the integrity of the database. Promptly and accurately acknowledges contributions by preparing and reviewing acknowledgment letters. Informs appropriate department team members and leadership of changes in donor activity, large gifts, donor trends, and special requests. Produces donor, donation activity, and department reports for monthly financial reconciliation on request. Receives and processes daily gifts, including preparing deposits and Matching Gift forms for submission; supports and trains volunteers assigned to help with this process. Responsible for receiving and processing all monetary contributions to the Cleveland APL, including mail‑in, in‑person, internet, online giving system, Text to Give, One Cause, and event donations. Proofs acknowledgment letters and prepares letters for mailing. Responds to donor requests and inquiries when appropriate; recognizes when a manager/director should get involved. Provides Other Department Support, as Assigned by Management, such as General office support for the Annual Fund program. Participation in APL fundraising events, donor cultivation/recognition, and other fundraising events. Informing clients and constituents of donation opportunities as appropriate, cultivating relationships with current and potential donors. Performs Other Duties as Assigned, including but not Limited to Always represents the APL in a professional manner. Provides quality customer service to donors, clients, volunteers, visitors, and team members, recognizing their individual contributions to the success of our organization. Promotes the APL’s mission, services, programs, and events. Complies with safety programs and promotes a safe work environment. Takes immediate action to address safety concerns or noncompliance with safety rules that could put any person or the organization at risk. Adheres to APL policies and procedures; supports management and discusses differences privately. Attends and participates in necessary staff and volunteer meetings. Regular workdays are weekdays but periodic coverage on weekends and extended hours to include early mornings or later evenings may be required. Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management; able to prioritize workload. Seeks additional tasks when all assigned tasks have been completed. Refers board and media inquiries to the CEO. Knowledge and Skills Must be literate in a Windows Office 365 environment with knowledge of MS Office applications especially Word, Excel, and Teams. Strong organizational skills, ability to multi-task, and proven attention to detail. Ability to produce detailed, correct written work, and perform accurate data‑entry. Strong verbal and customer service skills to include the ability to respond to common inquiries. Ability to use independent judgment and discretion and to handle confidential information. Must have compassion and concern for both animals and people. Fear Free Certified or must become certified within six months of hire. Supports the APL’s desire to celebrate a diverse and inclusive culture that fuels the compassion that connects us to one another. Qualifications College degree preferred, High School Diploma/GED or demonstrated success in a comparable position required. Experience using RE, RE NXT, or a comparable donor database preferred. Valid Ohio Driver’s License and insurable driving record. Working Conditions Work is performed onsite constantly in an animal shelter that operates seven days per week with exposure to animals, some with questionable health and temperament concerns, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, and cleaning agents. The position requires sitting and standing for long periods, constantly operating a computer, telephone, and other office equipment (calculator, copier, fax machine, and printer). Occasionally positions itself to handle animals of all sizes in a variety of areas and positions (low cages, high cages, on tables, on the floor, in vehicles, etc.). Occasionally performs shelter and animal cleaning functions. Constantly communicates with visitors, staff members, and volunteers who have inquiries about all aspects of the APL’s operations and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Must be able to detect and recognize animal behavior that is potentially dangerous. Occasionally move animals weighing up to 50 pounds (through the shelter on leash or using other safe restraint and animal handling equipment, into and out of cages in the shelter, into and out of shelter vehicles). Must be able to modify schedule to meet the APL’s operational needs. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job‑related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at‑will” relationship. Our Core Values Compassion - We are compassion in action. We believe every animal and person has value and worth and should be treated with respect, empathy, and kindness to support the human‑animal bond. Advocacy - We are a voice for animals, dedicated to lifesaving solutions that advance their quality of life, and promote their place in society. Leadership - We act with integrity, creativity, duty to community, and have the courage to change. These are the driving forces that make us a leading animal welfare organization. Innovation - We are devoted to pioneering new approaches to the evolving challenges animals face by developing ethical, humane solutions and working in partnership with the public and animal welfare community. Teamwork - We are one team and believe we must all work together to best fulfill our vision. #J-18808-Ljbffr