JOIN OUR TEAM: JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS

The Center for Biological Diversity is a 501(c)3 nonprofit conservation organization with 255,000 members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. We have more than 60 staff in offices in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. It is the policy of the Center for Biological Diversity to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, political affiliation, family responsibility, matriculation, personal appearance, or economic background, or any other legally protected status. Candidates with diverse backgrounds encouraged to apply.

We are accepting applications for the following positions:

Development Director
Executive Assistant
Major Gifts Assistant
Media Specialist, Climate Change
Media Specialist, Endangered Species
Membership Director
Internships

ABOUT THE CENTER

Development Director
Full Time
Tucson, Arizona

General position overview:
The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a dynamic, energetic Development Director based in Tucson, Ariz. This position reports directly to the Assistant Executive Director and works closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership team.  The Development Director will be responsible for overseeing the Center’s Development Program, including Membership, Major Gifts, Planned Giving and Grants.

Essential duties and responsibilities:
Regular duties include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Work closely with executive directors to create and implement annual and long-term development plans and strategies
• Plan, lead and direct the Center’s overall development efforts to raise an annual budget of $10 million
• Enhance fundraising productivity through efficient systems, information sharing and increased solicitations; work with development consultants, as needed
• Identify opportunities in the Center’s conservation work for fundraising and meet new project funding needs
• Work with Development staff to identify and build relationships with prospective members and funders
• Develop and grow the Center’s current individual donor base of 44,000 people; manage and expand annual giving campaigns
• Cultivate and directly solicit major individual gifts
• Assist in writing proposals and reports for foundations and individual funders
• Facilitate regular program-wide fundraising updates and action meetings
• Train and lead Center staff to support fundraising efforts
• Coordinate with Communications Program to develop and implement comprehensive marketing and public-relations strategies to creatively maximize fundraising and development marketing in print, electronic and Web content
• Produce regular financial reports on the Center’s Development Program for executive directors and board of directors
• Work closely with the Finance Department to track and analyze development expenses, income and trends
• Assist in developing the Center’s board fundraising capacity
  
• Act as liaison for various charity rating sites and help implement corporate promotional funding opportunities, as needed
• Assist in donor event planning and production, as needed

Supervisory responsibilities:

• Directly supervise the Membership Director, Director of Foundation Relations and Major Gifts staff
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; tracking vacation and routine staff reviews; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, master’s preferred
• Understanding of environmental issues and nonprofit administration
• Five to 10 years of direct sales or business development experience in a service industry or with a nonprofit
• Proven track record of achieving revenue targets
• Proven management and leadership capabilities
• Thorough understanding of all components of a diversified funding base
• Experience with legacy, bequest and planned giving preferred
• Experience working with top-level donors, foundation program officers and boards of directors
• Demonstrated strong fundraising, annual report, newsletter and grant-writing skills preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate and manage new donors and funders
• Strong relationship-building skills
• High-energy, positive, “can-do” attitude; flexibility, teamwork and attention to detail; high degree of initiative
• Strong verbal communications skills and demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively
• Excellent computer skills; knowledge of database programs
• Familiarity with ROI Solutions, Democracy in Action and Access preferred

Application process: To apply, please send a thoughtful cover letter and résumé via email to development@biologicaldiversity.org, "Attn: Development Director.” The position will remain open until filled. Desired start date is as soon as possible. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

Executive Assistant
Full time
Tucson, Arizona

The Center seeks a full-time talented, driven, highly efficient and well-organized person with leadership ability to serve as an Executive Assistant (EA) to its Assistant Executive Director. The ideal candidate will be familiar with basic business administration (phone, written and email communications; preparing mailings; note taking; scheduling; booking travel; planning meetings) and have a strong desire to learn about nonprofit administration, endangered species conservation and legal advocacy, as well as an interest in a position with wide-ranging responsibilities. The EA should be highly efficient, excellent at managing time, calm in intensely busy work environments and comfortable mixing fun with focused work. A good sense of humor and positive disposition, the ability to instill confidence with colleagues and supervisors and an established ability to follow through on challenging projects to meet deadlines is a must.
The EA must be able to focus with a variety of interruptions, be comfortable navigating various organizational systems and databases, be able to track a wide array of details and timelines, and have experience handling confidential information and managing up.
The position will require a Center-provided smart phone and some regular availability after hours or on weekends, as needed. The EA will be supervised by the Center’s Assistant Executive Director and work closely with development, communications and conservation program staff.

Minimum requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher
• One or more years related work and/or volunteer experience managing administrative details
• Background in organizing or past experience with environmental, nonprofit and/or advocacy groups strongly preferred
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent computer, software and database skills; internet savviness
• Demonstrated time-management and scheduling abilities
• Highly efficient, systems thinker
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and deadlines in a busy environment
• Common sense, creativity and ability to make decisions independently as a self-starter
• Positive attitude, commitment to constructive communication and cooperation, demonstrated team/group work skills

Salary is commensurate with experience. In addition to opportunities for advancement, the Center offers an excellent benefits package, including employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance and a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match.

Application process: To apply, please send a résumé and thoughtful cover letter to sbergman@biologicaldiversity.org with “Job: Executive Assistant” in the subject line. No calls, please. Only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted. Position open until filled. Desired start date is as soon as possible.

Major Gifts Assistant
Full Time
Tucson, Arizona
February 2012

General position overview:
This position provides a unique opportunity for a junior development or administrative professional to join a successful fundraising team while advancing the organization’s mission to protect imperiled wildlife and wild places across the country. The Major Gifts Assistant will provide administrative support to the Center for Biological Diversity’s major gifts programs by maintaining donor records, pulling information from online and offline donor databases, drafting and sending multichannel correspondence, scheduling and assisting with meetings and events, and managing the production of small and large-scale communications and fundraising appeals targeted to prospective and current major donors. The Assistant will be supervised by the Major Gifts Associate and will work with other development staff, interns and volunteers.

Duties:

• Update member records in databases and maintain accurate donor records.
• Process daily data transfers between donor databases.
• Run queries to pull information from donor databases for mailings, communications and analytics.
• Assist all Major Gifts staff, and interface with membership, grants, communications and financial staff as needed.
• Provide administrative and project management support for mailed and emailed fundraising and cultivation efforts to top donors throughout the year.
• Maintain and update confidential information.
• Assist in generating and printing weekly major donor donation-acknowledgment letters.
• Conduct donor research and update donor record.
• Handle email and phone correspondence related to member preferences, donations, interests or contact information.
• Assist with planning, scheduling, coordinating and implementing donor visits and special events.
• Maintain supplies for acknowledgments and other mailings.
• Assist with other development projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree required.
• Minimum one year of experience in administrative assistance or customer service.
• Development and/or nonprofit experience preferred.
• Experience with confidential and/or financial information.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong organization skills and accuracy in completing complex tasks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in planning events and maintaining multiple schedules a plus.
• Ability to learn and complete tasks quickly and correctly.
• Ability to organize time, manage diverse activities and meet deadlines.
• High comfort level with computers and Internet research and generally tech-savvy.
• Strong database and project management skills; knowledge of Revolution Online (ROI Solutions), Microsoft Access, Democracy In Action/Salsa and/or Groupmail preferred but not required.
• Solid knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite, including spreadsheets and mail-merge functions.
• High energy level and excellent interpersonal skills; proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Established experience with quality, high-level customer service.
• Sense of humor and positive attitude a must.
• Desktop publishing skills a plus.
• Interest in endangered species, wildlife conservation and environmental issues a plus.

Salary is commensurate with experience. In addition to opportunities for advancement, the Center offers an excellent benefits package, including employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance and a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match.

Application process: To apply, please send a résumé and thoughtful cover letter to majorgifts@biologicaldiversity.org with “Job: Major Gifts Assistant” in the subject line. No calls, please. Only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted. Position is open until filled. Desired start date is late February, early March.

Media Specialist, Climate Change
Full Time
Portland, San Francisco, Tucson, Washington, D.C.

General position overview:
The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a dynamic, experienced, creative and media-savvy communicator for our climate change work. This position reports directly to the Communications Director and works closely with our climate program and the leadership team. The preferred location for the position is Portland, San Francisco, Tucson or Washington, D.C. The Media Specialist will produce high-impact communications on every platform aimed at addressing the global climate crisis, generate positive media stories and editorials that drive the national discussion about climate change, and play an integral role in maintaining the Center’s national profile and work on these critical issues.

Primary duties:

• Regularly produce press releases, white papers, story pitches, blog posts, fact sheets, op-eds and other written material.
• Heighten public knowledge of the climate crisis and solutions.
• Work closely with communications and climate staff to develop long-term and near-term strategic communications plans.
• Organize and execute editorial drives.
• Cultivate media relationships, pitch stories to reporters and editorial writers, and continually seek out new media opportunities.
• Act as a public spokesperson as needed.
• Help organize other groups and supporters to address climate change and defend important laws such as the Clean Air Act.
• Integrate climate materials into other Center communications.
• Expand and refine the Center’s existing communications materials, including the website and regular publications.
• Provide educational and persuasive outreach to members of Congress and staffers.
• Assist with outreach to the Center’s 300,000+ supporters and activists.
• Identify and act on political opportunities to address climate change, especially in the media, to shift the national debate in our favor.

Requirements:

• The ability to produce clear, concise, persuasive and powerful writing on tight deadlines.
• Excellent editing and verbal skills.
• A deep working knowledge of climate science and politics.
• An understanding of media cycles and the ability to consistently work with them.
• The ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• The ability to juggle multiple projects and multiple deadlines.
• The ability to communicate in different styles depending on the forum, product and audience.
• A strategic mindset.
• A penchant for innovative approaches to reaching new audiences.
• Being a self-starter who also works well in a team environment.
• Possessing a passion for saving plants and animals from extinction.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree
• Five to 10 years of experience as a professional communicator
• Proven track record in strategic communications work

Application process: To apply, please send a thoughtful cover letter and résumé via email to communications@biologicaldiversity.org, “Attn: Climate Change.” The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is as soon as possible. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

Media Specialist, Endangered Species
Full time
Portland, San Francisco, Tucson, Washington, D.C.

General position overview:
The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a dynamic, experienced, creative and media-savvy communicator for our endangered species advocacy. This position reports directly to the Communications Director and works closely with the Endangered Species Program and the leadership team. The preferred location for the position is Portland, San Francisco, Tucson or Washington, D.C. The Media Specialist will: produce high-impact communications on every platform aimed at defending the Endangered Species Act, generate positive media stories and editorials that drive the national discussion about species protection, and play an integral role in maintaining the Center’s national profile and work on these critical issues.

Primary duties:

• Regularly produce press releases, white papers, story pitches, blog posts, fact sheets, op-eds and other written material.
• Heighten public knowledge of the extinction crisis.
• Work closely with Communications and Endangered Species Program staff to develop long-term and near-term strategic communications plans.
• Organize and execute editorial drives.
• Cultivate media relationships, pitch stories to reporters and editorial writers, and continually seek out new media opportunities.
• Act as a public spokesperson as needed.
• Help organize other groups and supporters in defense of the Endangered Species Act.
• Integrate endangered species materials into other Center communications.
• Expand and refine the Center’s existing communications materials, including the website and regular publications.
• Provide educational and persuasive outreach to members of Congress and staffers
• Assist with outreach to the Center’s 300,000-plus supporters and activists.
• Identify and act on political opportunities to further protections for endangered species and shift the national debate in our favor.

Requirements:

• Clear, concise, persuasive and powerful writing executed on tight deadlines.
• Excellent editing and verbal skills.
• An understanding of media cycles and ability to consistently meet them.
• The ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• The ability to juggle multiple projects and multiple deadlines.
• A deep knowledge of endangered species and the political landscape.
• The ability to communicate in different styles depending on the forum, product and audience.
• A strategic mindset.
• Innovative approaches for reaching new audiences.
• Being a self-starter who also works well in a team environment.
• Possessing a passion for saving plants and animals from extinction.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree.
• Five to 10 years of experience as a professional communicator.
• A proven track record in strategic communications work.

Application process: To apply, please send a thoughtful cover letter and résumé via email to communications@biologicaldiversity.org, “Attn:. Endangered Species.” The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is as soon as possible. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

Membership Director
Full Time
Tucson, Arizona

The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a motivated, high-energy Membership Director based in Tucson, Ariz. This position reports directly to the Development Director and works closely with the executive directors. The Membership Director will be responsible for overseeing the cultivation, solicitation and retention of the Center’s 44,000 members and the acquisition of new members.

Essential duties and responsibilities:
Regular duties include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Work with development and executive directors and fundraising consultants to create and implement special campaign, annual and long-term membership strategic plans
• Enhance member-based fundraising productivity through efficient systems, information sharing and increased solicitations
• Produce regular financial reports on Center’s membership program for executive directors and Board of Directors
• Work closely with Finance Department monthly and annually to track and analyze membership expenses, income and trends
• Develop and grow Center’s membership through traditional and new media and creative online fundraising campaigns
• Identify opportunities in Center’s conservation work for fundraising and meet new project funding needs
• Work closely with Major Gifts staff to identify, target and upgrade members and prospects
• Direct regular membership planning meetings with Center staff and consultants; assist Development Director in hosting regular internal development meetings
• Field requests from conservation staff to produce member lists for legal actions, events, as needed
• Field inquires from the public about conservation issues, ways of giving, offers to donate
• Work closely with Communications staff to support membership with dynamic print, electronic and Web marketing
  
• Direct and innovate Center’s individual gift-acknowledgement process
• Oversee Center merchandise production/distribution, event planning, volunteer program

Supervisory responsibilities:

• Directly and indirectly supervise Membership staff, including Assistant Membership Director, Membership Associate, Membership assistants, interns and volunteers.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work on a daily, weekly and annual basis; developing work plans with individual staff; tracking vacation time; conducting regular individual and group meetings, and routine staff reviews.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (mas vter’s preferred)
• Understanding of environmental issues and nonprofit administration
• At least three years of membership, fundraising or business development experience (nonprofit preferred)
• Proven track record of achieving revenue targets, managing and analyzing data
• Proven management and leadership capabilities
• Demonstrated strong fundraising, annual report, and newsletter skills preferred
• Strong relationship-building skills
• High-energy, positive, “can-do” attitude; flexibility, teamwork and attention to detail; high degree of initiative
• Strong verbal communications skills and demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively
• Excellent computer skills; knowledge of database programs
• Familiarity with ROI Solutions, Democracy in Action and Access preferred

Application process: To apply, please send a thoughtful cover letter and résumé via email to MembershipDirector@biologicaldiversity.org, "Attn: Membership Director.” The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is as soon as possible. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.