Direct Response Specialist

About the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

About the Opportunity  

The Direct Response Fundraising Specialist is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to join a dynamic advancement department at a respected San Francisco cultural institution. Reporting to the Associate Director of Direct Response Fundraising, the Direct Response Fundraising Specialist supports the Academy’s annual fund program, the Regeneration Circle—a vibrant collective of Academy supporters ready for action and committed to being a force for nature! Supporters receive regular updates from our scientists about regeneration through email, hybrid events, and practical ways to be a part of regenerating the planet. The position is responsible for administrative duties and donor relations related to the program. Previous experience in fundraising is strongly preferred. 

Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Administration

• Administer email and direct mail production of Regeneration Circle and other direct response fundraising efforts; including, acquisition, renewal, and donor upgrade campaigns.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director to strategize Regeneration Circle and other direct response fundraising campaigns that spotlight Academy scientists and the impact of the institution as a mission-forward non-profit.
• Attend and assist in organizing Regeneration Circle and other direct response fundraising events.
• Coordinate staff plans and volunteer assistance for direct response projects and events.
• Work closely with the Associate Director, the development communications team, and outside consultants to write compelling donation-generating copy.
• Coordinate administrative tasks, including data requests, purchase orders, invoice processing, credit card reconciliation, scheduling meetings, scanning and filing documents, content approvals, premium fulfillment, and other tasks as assigned.
• Maintain donor data in Tessitura, including data hygiene, documentation, list management, and general reporting.
• Provide administrative support during meetings, including note-taking, meeting minutes, and action item follow-up.
• Follows all Academy safety regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Donor Stewardship

• Acknowledge donations through phone calls and weekly acknowledgement letters
• Collaborate and provide customer support through phone calls, and email communication.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director on Regeneration Circle and other direct response fundraising stewardship touchpoints and events.
• Write, build, and distribute Regeneration Circle eNews.
• Coordinate recognition of Annual Fund and other donors.
• Provide as needed support to Advancement Events.

Qualifications:

• 1 - 2 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising support.
• Proficient with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Forms) or similar software and familiarity or a willingness to learn the Academy database (Tessitura) and processing systems 
• Knowledge and interest in the Academy and enthusiasm for the mission and philanthropy is required

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills required with the ability to effectively engage Academy supporters, volunteers, and cross-functional teams.
• Proactive, solution-oriented, with strong analytical skills and the ability to compose clear, professional correspondence.
• Strong commitment to customer service excellence and the ability to effectively communicate and problem solve for customers
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment, manage simultaneous tasks and timelines, high respect for confidentiality
• Good judgment, excellent organizational skills, flexibility, and able to manage multiple tasks and projects
• Computer proficiency and the ability to learn new software quickly:
  • Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, including mail merges
  • Demonstrated database experience in Tessitura or similar systems is a plus
• Comfortable in a self-driven, flexible, creative, fast-paced environment
• Ability to work efficiently and communicate with staff, cross-functional teams and external customers from different backgrounds, identities and experiences

Physical Environment:

The Academy complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits of employment, please contact our People & Culture team at recruiting@calacademy.org..

Compensation and Benefits:
The hourly rate for this position is $34.78. Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, skills/knowledge set, and internal equity. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please upload your resume, optional cover letter, and complete the brief online application 

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance(SF Police Code, Article 49).

We are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of any characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement here.

The California Academy of Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to ensure that all employees and applicants receive equal consideration and treatment, regardless of race, color, creed, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), religion, marital or domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical, mental or medical disability, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship, military service status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.