Careers

Job Title: Development Director

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: Hybrid

Salary: $70,000-$80,000/year

Employment Type: Full time

About Us:
One Tail at a Time PDX is dedicated to addressing the shelter crisis for companion animals, focusing on rescuing and rehoming dogs in need. We strive to create a better world for animals through a community-centered approach, relying on passionate supporters and dedicated volunteers. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a motivated and strategic Development Director to lead our donor and fundraising efforts that will raise $1.1M annually to support our life-saving mission.

Position Summary:
The Development Director will play a crucial role in leading the organization’s donor relations and fundraising strategy, working to generate $1.1M+ annually through individual gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and community events. This role involves cultivating relationships with major donors, sponsors, and partners, as well as overseeing volunteer teams supporting development efforts. The Development Director will also be responsible for building out the systems and processes necessary for ongoing development activities. The Development Director will work closely with the Executive Director and staff to engage board members, volunteers, and the wider community to maximize fundraising success and increase support for our mission. This position reports directly to the Executive Director. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Fundraising Strategy:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual development plan to meet revenue goals, including strategies for individual giving, monthly donor programs, and grants.

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit donations from major individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations.

• Secure gifts across all funding streams, confidently asking for and closing donations.

• Implement strategies for donor retention and growth, including increasing monthly giving and creating personalized donor journeys.

• Donor Cultivation & Stewardship:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, sponsors, and partners, ensuring effective stewardship.

• Regularly communicate with donors through personalized updates, reports, and appreciation to reinforce their impact on our mission.

• Develop targeted campaigns and messaging to engage both new and existing supporters.

• Volunteer Oversight:

• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers to assist with fundraising activities, peer-to-peer fundraising, grant writing, community outreach, and donor engagement events.

• Empower volunteers to take an active role in fundraising, providing them with the tools and resources they need for success.

• Event Planning & Coordination:

• Lead the planning and execution of donor engagement events, including but not limited to an annual fundraising gala, members-only and donor-related events, ticketed fundraising opportunities, community events and educational opportunities. 

• Coordinate event logistics, including sponsorship outreach, volunteer support, and event marketing.

• Data Management & Reporting:

• Establish systems and processes to support Donor, Development, and Fundraising efforts. 

• Utilize CRM tools (Network for Good, GiveSmart, or similar platforms) for tracking donor data, prospect research, and reporting on campaign performance.

• Provide regular reports on fundraising progress to the Executive Director and board, identifying trends and opportunities for strategy adjustments.

• Ensure all donor information is accurately entered and maintained in the database for future engagement.

• Board & Staff Support:

• Collaborate with the Executive Director, board members, and staff to integrate fundraising goals into the overall organizational strategy.

• Provide resources, coaching, and support to board members, staff, and volunteers, helping them effectively engage donors and solicit gifts.

• Marketing & Communications:

• Lead the creation and implementation of marketing campaigns to attract new donors, retain current supporters, and raise awareness of our mission.

• Develop compelling content for donor communications, social media, and fundraising materials to build excitement and engagement.

• Use video and digital content (including social media reels and posts) to tell stories and promote fundraising efforts.

Qualifications:

• Experience:

• 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising or a related field, with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue goals.

• Strong background in managing development programs, including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, and grant writing.

• Experience managing donor databases and using CRM tools such as Network for Good, GiveSmart, or similar platforms.

• Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to make compelling asks and write persuasive donor appeals, grant proposals, and reports.

• Demonstrates a high level of organization and motivation, with the flexibility to effectively manage multiple critical initiatives and competing priorities in a fast-paced, often-evolving environment.

• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with donors, board members, staff, and volunteers.

• Comfortable leading and motivating volunteer teams to support development efforts.

• Knowledge of social media platforms and experience creating digital content, including videos and social media reels for fundraising.

• Excitement for the opportunity to shape and grow important donor relationships and the broader fundraising and development departments of the organization. 

• Proactive self-starter who can go with the flow, self-manage, and use good judgment without heavy oversight.

• Passion for the Mission:

• A deep commitment to the mission of OTAT PDX and passion for animal welfare.

• Enthusiasm for addressing the shelter crisis and advocating for companion animals.

Preferred:

• Experience with video editing and creating content for social media platforms.

• Familiarity with nonprofit marketing and donor retention strategies.

• Graphic design abilities.

Additional Details:

• Work Schedule: Full time. Schedule hours are flexible but must be consistent. Regular collaboration with the Executive Director, other staff members, board members, and volunteers is required.

• Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience. Benefits include health insurance, PTO, and opportunities for professional development. Also, dogs.

How to Apply:
Please submit your resume, cover letter, a writing sample (such as a grant proposal or donor appeal) and list of professional references to admin@otatpdx.org. OTAT PDX is looking to fill this position immediately and will accept applications on a rolling basis.

OTAT PDX is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

This is a dynamic, mission-driven opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of animals in need. If you’re an experienced fundraising professional passionate about animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Job Title: Medical Manager, Certified Vet Tech (CVT) 

Reports to: Operations & Programs Director 

Location: Hybrid in Portland, OR with some requirements at our Adoption Center

Employment Type: Part time, $28-32/hour

Position Summary:

One Tail at a Time PDX (OTAT PDX) is seeking an experienced and dedicated part time Medical Manager to champion the health of our rescue dogs and the mission of our organization. We require a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) licensed in the State of Oregon who is detail-oriented, highly organized, proactive, accountable, and an excellent communicator with a genuine passion for animal welfare and saving rescue dogs in need.

As the primary medical point person, this role manages the full spectrum of care, from initial intake to post adoption support and everything in between. The Medical Manager serves as the essential link connecting shelters, foster homes, adopters, and our valued veterinary partners, ensuring seamless and high-quality medical oversight for every dog.

Core responsibilities include administering physical examinations and immunizations, managing medical records, maintaining inventory, and possessing an expert knowledge of pharmaceuticals, common diseases, their symptoms, treatment, and preventative care in order to inform intake decisions, help foster homes, and ensure good medical decisions are made. Given the nature of rescue work, availability for medical emergencies is a must, as is the ability to compassionately weigh in on rare medical euthanasia decisions as part of a team.

The Medical Manager will also be responsible for helping to establish and improve upon medical policies and processes which our organization will follow as we continue to grow and strive to save more lives. 

Key Responsibilities:

Hands On Care: 

• Be on-site at New Dog Days to address the medical needs of, and questions about, newly arriving shelter dogs.

• Support Wellness Exams alongside licensed veterinarians by assisting with initial examinations, administering vaccinations and medications, and providing necessary follow up care.

• Assist veterinarians during exams by performing preliminary physical evaluation, maintaining thorough medical notes, and ensuring accurate record-keeping.

• Administer booster vaccinations, implant microchips, and provide additional support for care within the scope of licensure.

Medical Coordination & Record Management:

• Maintain and organize comprehensive medical records for all OTAT PDX dogs.

• Track vaccinations, preventatives, spay/neuter procedures, and other medical treatments.

• Ensure medical documentation is accurately entered into rescue databases and shared with staff/fosters/adopters.

Veterinary Partner Outreach & Coordination:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with partner veterinary clinics.

• Schedule and coordinate vet appointments, wellness exams, and surgery days.

• Arrange and oversee group vet exam, vaccination, and spay/neuter days in collaboration with veterinary partners.

• Reach out to prospective veterinary partners about potential partnerships. 

Support for Foster Homes & Adopters:

• Serve as the primary medical resource and support contact for fosters and, sometimes, adopters.

• Provide guidance on basic medical care, medication administration, and post-surgical recovery.

• Educate fosters/adopters on the rescue’s medical policies and preventative care protocols.

Emergency Response:

• Alternate with a team being on-call to address emergency medical questions and situations from fosters.

• Assess the urgency of medical concerns, triage accordingly, and coordinate emergency veterinary care when needed.

• Maintain composure, professionalism, and clear communication during high-stress or time-sensitive situations.

Administrative & Supportive Roles:

• Collaborate with the intake, foster, adoption, volunteer, and behavior teams to support each animal’s holistic care plan.

• Assist with medical supply inventory, ordering, and distribution to fosters.

• Contribute to the ongoing improvement of medical protocols and training materials.

Qualifications:

• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) or equivalent credential required, licensed in the State of Oregon. 

• Minimum of 2+ years of veterinary experience, preferably in shelter or rescue medicine.

• Strong knowledge of canine health, preventative care, and common medical conditions.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple priorities and remain calm in emergencies.

• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively within a compassionate, often fast-paced rescue environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with dogs and animal rescue or shelter operations.

• Dog handling; an ability to safely and compassionately manage, restrain, and care for dogs of all sizes and temperaments using positive reinforcement, humane methods. 

• Fear Free Certification. 

• Familiarity with animal record systems (e.g. ShelterLuv or similar).

• Experience coordinating with multiple veterinary clinics or mobile vet teams.

• A passion for advocating nonprofit / rescue work and our mission. 

Compensation & Benefits:

• $28-32/hour commensurable with experience.

• Flexible work schedule; some nights, weekends, and on-call hours may be required.

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of dogs and the people who love them.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume, a brief cover letter outlining your experience and passion for rescue medicine, and a list of professional references to admin@otatpdx.org.

OTAT PDX is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

This is a dynamic, mission-driven opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of animals in need. If you’re an experienced CVT passionate about animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!