Join one of the most effective community-based environmental groups in the country.

Title: Advancement Specialist
Manager: Director of Advancement
Location: Warrenton, Va
Job Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

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About PEC

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) conserves and restores the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.

Your Role

The Advancement Specialist is part of a team of staff, board members and volunteers committed to building PEC’s membership and donors. PEC has an existing base of long-time members and supporters and is working to reach out to new constituencies in the region. The Advancement Specialist has a critical role in supporting multiple programs, events, and campaigns in order to steward existing donors and cultivate new relationships.

Areas of Responsibility

The Advancement Specialist will report to the Director of Advancement and be responsible for the duties outlined below:

• Advancement Support:
  • Supports annual giving and membership development by assisting in writing and distributing renewal requests; assisting in preparing major solicitations proposals; and helping develop board and committee presentations
  • Provides support on the management of all data on current, lapsed, and prospective members in the database management software
  • Organizes and distributes donor gift information to the major gifts team 
  • Maintains weekly Advancement team meeting agenda 
  • Provides material and editing for the PEC newsletter, PEC website, event programs, and other publications
  • Provide excellent customer service and assist with responding to donor inquiries
  • Manage and maintain sensitive and confidential information, ensuring it is handled securely and in compliance with the organization’s policies and procedures
  • Perform other related duties as assigned

• Grants:
  • Assists the Grants Manager in drafting and submitting grant applications and reports
  • Assist in the publication of PEC’s annual report

• Events: 
  • Assist the Events Manager with event logistics and planning
  • Leads select small community-based gatherings 
  • Work with the communications team to ensure appropriate promotion of events
    
• Database Management:
  • Work with the database coordinator and Advancement team members to maintain accurate donor records and extract information for use in mailing lists and financial reports
  • Maintain accurate and complete records of donor communications in Salesforce

• Donor/Prospect Research: 
  • Analyze, interpret, and evaluate biographical, business, personal, and financial information for current and prospective donors
  • Produce clear and concise research reports to help guide major gifts team
  • Maintenance of PEC’s GuideStar and Charity Navigator profiles

Geography

This position will be based out of PEC’s headquarters office in Warrenton, VA, with hybrid consideration and travel to locations within PEC’s nine-county service area (on average a few times a month). Attendance at occasional night or weekend events may be required

Required Qualifications

Outstanding candidates will share a commitment to PEC’s mission and will bring the following experience and attributes:

• Strong work ethic and commitment to PEC’s core values, mission and vision
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) principles
• At least two years of work experience in advancement or related field
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and G Suite (Google Apps)
• Demonstrated experience with donor management software, such as Sales Force
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to write, edit, and proofread written materials for use with donor solicitations, member’s communications, and special events
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and manage diverse activities and deadlines 
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative abilities, including the ability to work with people of varied backgrounds and work styles
• Ability to work some weekends and evenings
• Reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Basic understanding of non-profit fundraising and marketing practices
• Well-versed in AP style and editorial rules
• Experience using design tools such as Canva, Indesign, Photoshop

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This position may be completed in both an office environment and the outdoors. Office work requires extended sitting or standing and the use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse. Fieldwork for events may be performed outdoors in various weather conditions and may be physically demanding. Occasional lifting of materials up to 40 lbs is required.

Compensation

This position is a non-exempt / hourly position with benefits. The full salary range for this position is $22 to $26 per hour (equivalent to $45,000 to $55,000 annually), commensurate with experience and demonstrated outcomes.

Benefits

PEC offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:

• Two health plans (83% employer paid premium for employee only plan, 73% employer paid for added dependents)
• Short & Long Term Disability*
• Group Term Life*
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances*
• HSA account (with employer match up to $750 per year)
• FSA accounts (health & dependent)
• 403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
• 10 paid holidays
• 2 floating holidays
• PTO leave – 24 days per year, accrued each pay period
• 1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer at another non-profit or charitable cause
• Salary continuation leave for employee or family illness – from 2 to 8 weeks fully paid leave eligibility every 24 months, depending on length of service
• Paid bereavement, jury duty and military service training leave
• Travel expense reimbursement
• Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedules
• Professional development support
• Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees.

*Indicates that this insurance premium is 100% paid by PEC for the employee’s coverage.

Application Process

Interested applicants should fill out our job application form at pecva.org/apply. Candidates must submit a cover letter and resumé.

Application deadline: Monday, April 7, 2025

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The Piedmont Environmental Council strives to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all aspects of achieving our mission. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. Read more about our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) commitments.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.