Overview

The (“Council”) (rilandtrusts.org) is the state-wide non-profit organization that works to permanently conserve open and natural lands in Rhode Island by supporting local land trusts, promoting responsible use and stewardship of conserved lands, and advocating for sound land conservation policy. The RI Land Trust Council is a fiscally sponsored project of TSNE.

There are over 45 land trusts in Rhode Island formed by citizens to protect the open spaces, natural areas, scenic landscapes, farms, forests, and other special places in our communities. Of the land trusts in Rhode Island,19 are affiliated with town governments, and the others are non-profit organizations. Most do not have staff and are run entirely by volunteers. As the state coalition, the Council:

• Advocates for land conservation and land trust issues at the state level;
• Facilitates communication, networking and collaboration among land trusts;
• Helps land trusts improve their land conservation, stewardship and community engagement;
• Increases public awareness and enjoyment of Rhode Island's protected lands and builds public support for land conservation.

Responsibilities

The Development Associate supports RI Land Trust Council’s development & fundraising program. 

Responsibilities include:

• Support the Council’s Executive Director and Board of Directors to enhance the growth of philanthropic initiatives and revenue, and manage development budget.
• Identify, research, and steward individual, corporate and foundation prospects capable of supporting the Council and Land and Water Conservation Summit.
• Prospect cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Oversee the implementation of all donor relations events, including receptions to introduce prospective donors to the Council, events to thank and celebrate contributors, and signature fund raising events; support virtual and in person convenings.
• Support the engagement and management of leadership contributors and corporate partners with acknowledgement letters, organization updates and other communications.
• Manage the design, production, and tracking of the Council’s annual appeal and development campaign.
• Manage all facets of the organization’s donor database, from entry of demographic information and visitation reports, to generating reports and helping the Executive Director use data to inform her management decisions.
• Support the completion of and/or draft grant proposals and reports as required by institutional funders.
• Engage and steward donors by exposing them to the Council’s training and program opportunities.
• Reconcile revenue from donor database (Salesforce) with revenue received by fiscal sponsor.

This is part-time, regular position for approximately 3 days/week (22.5 hours), with a flexible schedule based on interests and needs of the selected candidate. The position includes a package with health, dental, vacation, sick and other benefits and includes the potential for growth in the future. It requires fundraising knowledge, a comfort managing donor databases, and superb interpersonal and communication skills with both internal and external audiences. 

Qualifications

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• Commitment to the mission of RI Land Trust Council and an eagerness to learn about conservation.
• BA degree; must have a minimum of 3 years of experience in a non-profit fundraising environment.
• Extensive experience using development databases for tracking, reporting, lead cultivation, and prospecting required.
• Excellent customer service, problem solving, writing and verbal communication skills required. Strong attention to detail is essential.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision but at the same time providing strong accountability and ongoing progress reports to department leadership.
• Must maintain confidentiality and be able to deal with highly confidential donor material without compromise.
• Must be highly organized, possess the ability to multitask, have a very positive attitude, and a commitment to meeting deadlines.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls;
• Reach; traverse; sit (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move;
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds;
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate;
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards;
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight;
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Regarding COVID-19: TSNE considers the health and safety of our employees of the utmost importance, and due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and subject to your state and local laws, our policy requires that all employees performing in-person work at a TSNE designated office are fully vaccinated. For the purpose of this policy, fully vaccinated indicates that you have received a single dose of the Janssen vaccine, or both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. Certain exemptions may be requested and will be considered by Human Resources.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work will be primarily performed in Providence, RI.The candidate who fills this position can work hybrid from home/the Council’s office at the Social Enterprise Greenhouse in Providence.

Compensation: The starting rate for this position is $25.00/hour and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): 12 paid holidays, 3 weeks vacation, 1 week personal holiday, and sick time for full-time staff;
• 80% Employer-paid, $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim;
• Low-cost MetLife Dental and Vision;
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care;
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance;
• Employer-paid Pension through TIAA;
• ...and more!

TSNE/RILT strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/RILT prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/RILT celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/RILT's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.