Data Support Specialist

The mission of The University of Bridgeport is to promote academic excellence, personal responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturally diverse supportive learning environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.

Position Description Summary/Purpose :

The Office of Advancement at the University of Bridgeport seeks an individual to record financial contributions, generate acknowledgements, provide data support, assist in the planning and execution of events, and provide general assistant-level support for our fundraising team. We are a fast-paced, all-hands-on-deck, work environment where teamwork and collegiality are essential for success. In this role you will be responsible for the processing of all fundraising efforts, collecting, organizing and verifying data from various sources, occasional departmental phone support, event involvement and assisting members of the Advancement team as needed. The Data Support Specialist must be able to multitask in a high-volume work environment, have strong attention to detail and be ready to work hard.

Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities :

• Process and review all advancement contributions through phone, electronic or paper format into our donor platform, Raiser’s Edge.
• Manage all financial reporting processes, forms reporting. Communicate between Finance and Advancement- balance all finances monthly and end of year with Finance.
• Maintain and process all recurring gift transactions.
• Record all matching gifts.
• Maintain the electronic document management and file development systems. Manage our data and communication platforms including Net Community, Omatic and Raiser’s Edge platforms.
• Prepare acknowledgement, congratulatory, and condolence letters as needed.
• Generate and send pledge notifications as appropriate on a monthly basis.
• Produce weekly transaction reports and other ad hoc reports as needed to track all financial activity and benchmarking.
• Create monthly and quarterly audit reports to reconcile with Finance.
• Maintain all email communication lists through our messaging and giving page platform, NetCommunity.
• Generate fundraising event forms through our Online Express module.
• Attend, manage, and work events as needed.
• Assist in the assembling of outgoing mail solicitations.
• Record donor participation, contributions, pricing and attendance in the events management system.
• Provide working knowledge of financial and tax laws.
• Provide departmental phone support regarding all gift entry information or inbound and outbound communications.
• Conducts all work in a safe manner and all work safety practices are followed.

Other Functions :

• Assist with departmental lists or projects as needed.
• Maintain professional conduct while handling confidential records and documentation.
• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.
• Continues professional development and training; keeps current with trends.
• Assists other department staff as needed to promote a team effort.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill :

• Demonstrated commitment to developing and fostering best practices and policies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and build an environment in which all members of the University community are treated with respect and dignity.
• Effectively collaborate with all levels of management, staff members, donors, alumni and friends.
• Ability to think critically and proactively
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must be able to multi-task with projects daily
• Ability to meet goals and deadlines.

Qualifications

Minimum Required Qualifications :

Education, Training and Experience :

• Bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years of fundraising experience or any equivalent combination of education, work experience and training.

• Experience using the Raiser’s Edge, or similar fundraising customer relations management software preferred
• Strong proficiency using Microsoft Office (i.e. Outlook, Word, and Excel)

Physical and Mental Requirements :

Work Environment

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Outdoor Weather Conditions

X

Work with fumes or airborne particles

X

Work near moving mechanical parts

X

Risk of electrical shock

X

Vibration

X

Physical Activity

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Standing

X

Walking

X

Sitting

X

Talking & Hearing

X

X

Using hands/fingers to handle/feel

X

Climbing or balancing

X

Bending, pulling, pushing

X

Driving

X

Lifting Requirements

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Up to 10 pounds

X

Up to 25 pounds

X

Up to 50 pounds

X

Up to 75 pounds

X

Up to 100 pounds

X

Over 100 pounds

X

Vision requirements (Especially relevant if driving is required by the job)

_X_ Close vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 inches or less)

_X_ Distance vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 feet or more)

___ Color vision (i.e. ability to identify and distinguish colors)

___ Peripheral vision (i.e. ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or

left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)

___ Depth perception (i.e. three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and

spatial relationships)

___ No special vision requirements

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401k employer match
• Employee & dependent life insurance
• Great tuition benefits for employee, spouse & dependents
• PTO program
• Flexible work schedules / work from home opportunities

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between The University of Bridgeport and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the University as the needs of the University and requirements of the job change.)

The University of Bridgeport provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The University of Bridgeport complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.