Advancement Services Specialist

Description JOB SUMMARY The Dallas Zoo is a mission-based, nonprofit wildlife conservation organization that relies on contributions and donations to support its work. As an Advancement Services Specialist, you will play a key clerical and administrative role in supporting the Advancement team. This includes processing daily contributions, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring timely and accurate donor acknowledgments in accordance with established procedures. This role utilizes the Tessitura Constituent Database to support daily, weekly, and monthly data integrity efforts. Additionally, the position contributes to donor and member stewardship by supporting Advancement initiatives, including fundraising events, donor engagement activities, and guest ticketing, while providing overall administrative support to the Advancement division. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Serve as an "ambassador" of the Dallas Zoo, providing outstanding customer service to current and prospective donors, members, and Zoo guests. Enter and track all solicitations and contributions onto donor accounts in Tessitura CRM (in accordance with internal policies). Collaborate with program managers to support member and donor stewardship initiatives, executing solicitation letters and acknowledgement/thank you letters in a timely manner. Produce receipts, write acknowledgements/thank you letters, and maintain program-specific acknowledgement processes, while adjusting correspondence as needed to reflect appropriate messaging or updates. Assist with the fulfillment of donor recognition, including but not limited to the following programs: Adopt-an-Animal, Zoo Bricks, tributes, and memorials (e.g., printing and mailing, ticket fulfillment, signage, inventory, etc.). Record and maintain stewardship and fulfillment information in Tessitura. Review donor information in collaboration with broader Advancement team and assist in developing prospective donor lists as requested. Support departmental data tasks, including maintaining stewardship plans for donor segments and tracking donor communications and engagement in the CRM portfolio management system. Support the Advancement division’s digital file management practices with timely update of stewardship plans and SharePoint. Conduct donor prospect research as needed. Assist with galas, special events, and other donor/member activities as needed. Cross-train to assist in the Membership Booth on a monthly basis or as needed. Effectively communicate with colleagues, donors, and members in-person, via email, and by phone. Provide administrative support as needed (e.g., mailings, mass data input, etc.). Perform other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Prior experience in a role with non-profit work or donor stewardship preferred. HS Diploma or GED equivalent. General understanding of fundraising principles and practices is a plus. Ability to work effectively as part of a team, with a professional and approachable demeanor. Outstanding commitment to customer service. Energetic and flexible, with excellent organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Computer proficient with a command of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Willingness and ability to learn and utilize the Tessitura donor and ticketing software system. Experience with Tessitura is preferred. Strong writing and editing skills, preferably with experience writing/maintaining direct donor communications, including personalized correspondence. Excellent attention to detail and diligence to ensure accuracy. Ability to work independently. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull bend, climb stairs and ladders, and carry up to 25lbs. Ability to work flexible shifts, including evenings, weekends or holidays as needed for special events or peak season support. Ability to work indoors and outdoors with exposure to cold and heat. Must have a valid Texas driver's license to be able to operate Zoo vehicles. Commitment to the mission and values of the Dallas Zoo. Successful candidates must complete pre-employment drug screening, background check, and TB test. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for this position without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era. EOE M/F/D/V #J-18808-Ljbffr Dallas Zoo Management