Development Associate

Organization Summary 

The LA Conservation Corps (the Corps) is a private, non-profit organization that has been helping young people develop themselves since 1986.  To date, more than 20,000 young people have participated in the Corps’ classes and service projects, learning new skills while contributing to the quality of life for all of us in the greater Los Angeles area. 

Mission 
We create equitable opportunities for young people to build resilience in themselves, their communities and the environment through a program of work, education and support. 

Position Summary 

Reporting directly to and working closely with the Director of Development & Communications, the Development Associate provides essential administrative, logistical, coordination, and marketing support to the Development Department. This role is pivotal in ensuring the smooth operation of the department and the success of its initiatives, including achieving fundraising goals. The Development Associate will also collaborate closely with the Development Manager on donor communications and marketing support, and work with the Senior Grant Writer, as needed. 

Essential Functions 

Database Management and Reporting: 

• Maintains accurate and up-to-date donor records in Salesforce.  

• Ensures data integrity by regularly reviewing and cleaning records.  

• Records, tracks, and reports gifts from donors, generating Salesforce reports as needed; schedules follow up in the database for the Development Team and CEO, as appropriate. 

Gift Processing and Donor Stewardship: 

• Processes donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, ensuring proper coding and timely data entry. 

• Drafts, personalizes, and sends thank-you letters and acknowledgment emails to donors, maintaining accurate records of acknowledgments. 

Event Coordination and Support: 

• Assists in planning and executing all fundraising and cultivation events, including the Annual Spring Luncheon. 

• Coordinates logistics for events, including vendor management, distribution of sponsorship solicitations, gathering ads for the tribute book, and managing guest lists. Oversees day-of-event coordination, including staffing, registration, and donor recognition. 

Donor Engagement and Prospect Management: 

• Prepares donor prospect briefings and reports for the CEO and Director of Development & Communications in advance of meetings with donors and prospects. 

• Conducts donor research, identifies new donor prospects, and supports the cultivation and stewardship process. 

Other Potential Responsibilities:  

• Coordinates the planning, execution, and tracking of annual and special mail and email appeals. 

• Collaborates with the Development team to create compelling appeal content and ensures accurate distribution. 

• Conducts research on potential foundation and corporate grant opportunities. 

• Generates monthly fundraising reports for the Director of Development, CEO, and Board. 

• Supports the maintenance of the website, collaborates on development of the monthly e-newsletter, and social media content. 

• Coordinates the creation and distribution of digital communications, including event invitations and donor updates. 

• Assists with the design and distribution of promotional materials for events and campaigns 

• Delegates tasks to interns as appropriate, ensuring their contributions align with department goals. 

• Maintains the Development Team’s calendar, scheduling meetings, events, and key activities. 

• Assists the team in planning, coordinating, and executing service and volunteer days with corporate partners. 

• Provides general administrative assistance to the Director of Development & Communications and other team members as needed. 

• Performs additional tasks as assigned to support the overall goals of the Development Department. 

Please note that this job description is not intended to provide a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities that may be required of the employee in this role.  Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time and without notice. 

Due to the organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, your essential functions and responsibilities may change to accommodate the needs of the program and to stay in compliance with CDC and County of LA Public Health Department requirements. 

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications  

• Demonstrate excellent analytical skills characterized by identifying, assimilating and comprehending the critical elements of various situations, and extracting and interpreting the implications of courses of action. 

• Demonstrate excellent communication and presentation skills (verbal and written) characterized by actively listening and ensuring respectful two-way communication. 

• Demonstrate sensitivity, understanding and the ability to effectively interact with individuals (internal and external) from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, disability and ethnic backgrounds. 

• Demonstrate strong time management skills and a high level of attention to detail. 

• Demonstrate a high level of accountability, responsibility and dependability. 

• Demonstrate teamwork through cooperation and collaboration with others. 

• Demonstrate a positive attitude, self-discipline and self-awareness. 

• Ability to prepare concise, logical and grammatically correct documents, reports and presentations. 

• Ability to accept, direct and perform responsibilities and assigned tasks as a project team member in support of the overall project. 

• Ability to explain policies, procedures and directions and represent the Corps’ philosophy and values to a wide range of audiences including Corpsmembers, programmatic staff, management and the public. 

• Ability to structure tasks, establish priorities and set goals. 

• Ability to effectively perform the physical requirements of the job, as well as train others. 

• Ability to effectively provide presentations, work demonstrations and instruction to others to promote and establish a culture of safety. 

• Ability to balance competing priorities and multiple stakeholders.  

• Ability to work independently. 

• Intermediate level of computer skills (Microsoft Office environment) including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Salesforce software and Internet research; responsibilities may include use of WordPress and Microsoft Project. 

• High level of interpersonal skills and integrity and the ability to keep information confidential. 

• Uses good judgment; evaluates alternatives in the achievement of quality outcomes.  

• Results-/Solution-oriented; flexible. 

• Passion for the Corps and ability to articulate its mission. 

Education/Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree (from an accredited institution) in business, philanthropy, marketing, communications, or related field. 

• Working experience in marketing, preferred

• Salesforce experience, preferred.  

• Experience with event planning, highly desirable. 

• Demonstrated experience with online fundraising campaigns and social media management, highly desirable. 

Other Requirements  

• Pass a post-offer drug/alcohol screen test before commencing employment (required to submit for the drug/alcohol screening at a company designated facility).  

• Pass a post-offer Live Scan (fingerprint/background clearance-Department of Justice) before commencing employment.   

• If a private vehicle is utilized for company purposes validation of a California Class C Driver’s License, validation of driving record and approval of commercial policy insurability is required in conjunction with proof of personal minimum liability insurance coverage per the requirements of the state of California.   

• Reference checks will be conducted; employment is contingent upon receipt of acceptable references.  

• Attend events and meetings in the community to support the program. This can involve working Saturdays or Sundays, as needed. 

• Occasional use of private vehicle for company purposes; validation of driving record and approval of commercial policy insurability is required in conjunction with proof of personal minimum liability insurance coverage per the requirements of the State of California.  Mileage will be reimbursed at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) standard mileage rate. 

Salary and Benefits 

• Salary $23.19 - $28.54 hourly; a starting hourly rate higher than $23.19 per hour is based on a level of experience and education that exceeds the minimum requirements and is commensurate with the compensation scale (salary range). 

• Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits with 93% employer coverage of costs for employee and 79% coverage for additional family members. 

• 3 weeks of vacation accrued per year; 11 paid Holidays and 80 hours of sick time accrued per year. 

• 401k retirement plan with match of up to 3%. 

Internal Application Procedure  

• Internal applicants must review the Transfers/Promotions guidelines and complete a LA Conservation Corps Transfer/Promotion Career Opportunity Application within three (3) working days of the “Posting Date.” This information can be requested from the Human Resources Department. The internal application should be submitted to Human Resources by the Internal Closing Date or within three (3) working days of the “Posting Date.” 

External Application Procedure  

• Upload cover letter and resume.  The LA Conservation Corps only employs individuals who are lawfully authorized to work in the United States. 
• You will be requested to complete an application at a later date if you are chosen for an interview.  Based upon a review of your application and supportive information, applicants will be considered for the interview portion.  The interview will cover education and experience requirements.  Applicants who need reasonable accommodations to apply or interview for this position must notify Human Resources at least four (4) business days before the closing date of the position or, if applicable, at the time an interview is scheduled. 

AAO/EEO Statement 

It is the policy of LA Conservation Corps to seek and employ qualified workforce at all locations, job sites, and facilities, and to provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees in recruiting, hiring, placement, training, compensation and benefits, promotion, transfer, and termination.