Development Specialist

SummaryThe Development Specialist provides administrative and project support to West Central Initiative’s development team. This includes gift processing and acknowledgments, data maintenance and reporting, and department workflow and outreach coordination. This position also helps our general operation run smoothly by managing conference space requests and ensuring our facility is properly maintained. To apply, send your cover letter and resume to info@wcif.org. We’ll begin reviewing applications on May 1, but the position will remain open until filled.

Salary RangeStarting Salary Range: The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $52,327 – $65,409 for annual base salary. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within or above this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s work experience, job-related skills, internal peer equity, and market considerations.

ResponsibilitiesThe Development Specialist: Maintains data in our customer relationship management system, including processing gifts and pledges, distributing tax acknowledgment and billing letters, maintaining all donor-related data, recording donor interactions and preferences, running related reports, and more. Coordinates annual outreach plan to our 82 communities, nine counties, and White Earth Nation. Helps to coordinate the development team’s processes and workflows. Manages conference room use for internal and approved external groups, including room set up, technology assistance, and clean up. Assists with fundraising campaigns, including annual, endowment, and special projects. Assists with donor-focused presentations and outreach. Participates in researching, identifying, and cultivating new donors. Serves as the building superintendent to ensure the facility is properly maintained.

QualificationsBachelor’s degree in English, marketing, communications, or a related field and three years of professional fundraising experience.

SkillsTo perform this job successfully, the Development Specialist should have the abilities and strong working knowledge of: Project management practices, including the ability to organize work, set priorities, follow up on assignments, and meet deadlines. Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint. Oral and written communication to collaborate, influence, and build relationships. 

CompetenciesTo perform the job successfully, the Development Specialist should demonstrate the following competencies: Project Management – Coordinates projects, communicates changes and progress, and completes projects on time and within budget. Judgment – Demonstrates critical thinking based on in‐depth data gathering, corroborating information, and considering others’ input, personal values, and ethics.  Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, listens and gets clarification, responds well to questions, demonstrates group presentation skills, and participates in meetings.  Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively, edits work for spelling and grammar, varies writing style to meet needs, presents numerical data effectively, able to read and interpret written information.  Technical Skills – Assesses own strengths and weaknesses, pursues training and development opportunities, strives to continuously build knowledge and skills, and shares expertise with others. Strategic thinking – Demonstrates ability to facilitate discussions and take actions to support and expand goals and mission. 

Alignment with Core ValuesThe Development Specialist understands, supports, and executes WCI’s strategic plan and aligns work with the organization’s four core values:Neighborliness arises out of a strong belief that our interconnectedness is crucial to our long-term viability. Town to town, county to county, organization to organization, and certainly person to person, the fabric of our region depends on cooperation, appreciation, openness, and generosity.Generosity is a dimension of neighborliness, but it flies higher over the region because it speaks to a willingness to embrace a common good that can only be achieved through collective action, through everyone giving of their time, talent, and treasure.Empowerment in our current context is directed both internally and externally. We encourage both our staff and our fellow citizens to be a part of bold action in our region and to develop and use power to a good end.Trend-testing is a dimension of that bold action. We learn from one another while we work together to solve problems. We will embrace risk and learn from our mistakes always.

Work LocationThis position offers a flexible, potentially hybrid, schedule but requires daily on-site work at our headquarters in Fergus Falls.