NY Service Corps Program Director

New York Service Corps Program Director, full-time position

Avodah is seeking a Program Director to oversee and implement our Jewish Service Corps in New York City.

This is an excellent position for someone who excels in roles that include especially varied responsibilities and variable flow of work. The ideal Program Director is a skilled educator, communicator, and program facilitator who is passionate about building strong communities who can support each other in their work for social justice, Jewish identity development, personal growth, and the meaningful intersections between those. They are able to comfortably hold a range of logistical, emotional, and educational responsibilities in order to ensure that the overall program runs smoothly and successfully. As the work will include virtual programming, the ideal candidate will have experience and comfort with virtual facilitation and program implementation.

The NY Program Director is an integral member of the NY Avodah local team. They will work as part of a dynamic team with both the Director of Individual Giving, who oversees local development and community engagement in the NY region, with the NY Justice Fellowship Director, and with the broader Service Corps team. The NY Program Director will also work with the Service Corps Program Operations staff and other national program staff to support the NY Service Corps members. The NY Program Director reports to the National Service Corps Director (located in Chicago).

The NY Service Corps Program Director’s core responsibilities are:

Implement and serve as lead staff person on all aspects of educational programs including orientation, weekly sessions, retreats, and special programs, including the logistical planning and administration of the programs

• Coordinate and facilitate leadership development activities with Corps Members;
• Coordinate and facilitate community-building activities among Corps Members;
• Facilitate exploration by Corps Members of social justice and Jewish life;
• Provide resources and mentorship to Corps Members related to their work, community, and Jewish lives;
• Maintain ongoing relationships with placement sites including recruiting and selecting new placement organizations;
• Support Corps Members and placement organizations in navigating work related challenges;
• Work as a project manager for the Service Corps site, collaborating with staff across the country and effectively using project management tools such as a Asana;
• Interviewing and selecting new Corps Members, with support from the Recruitment department;
• Collaborate with the National Program Operations team to actively oversee Avodah’s residential properties and support the financial aspects of the program, including: managing the house search when necessary, aiding in the move-in and move-out process, resolving maintenance problems with residents and landlords, completing regular expense reports, and supporting Program Operations team on finance tasks.
• Collaborate with local and national staff to create a strong partnership between programming and fundraising; this may include: attending local fundraisers, identifying and preparing Corps Members to speak at external engagements, finding opportunities for community members to get to know the Avodah program and participants, and creating opportunities for the fundraising staff to support and work with Corps Members;
• Participate in the Service Corps staff team, including weekly supervision with the National Service Corps Director, attending and playing rotating roles in Service Corps staff team meetings, collaboratively updating curricula, informally serving team members with creative problem solving, and taking on occasional small national projects;
• Participate in the cross-program team and the Avodah staff as a whole, monthly program team meetings, bi-monthly Avodah all-staff meetings, an annual all-staff retreat and an annual program team retreat; and
• Other duties as assigned.

About You

We are looking for candidates who have at least 3 years of relevant experience, as well the skills and competencies listed below. We know that systemic inequities in hiring have caused people from historically marginalized groups to only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage you to break this statistic and apply, as no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. We look forward to your application.

• You are an experienced educator and facilitator who can translate our curriculum into an excellent program on the ground
• You build strong relationships and support the creation of strong communities. You can mentor and guide young adults in developing their own leadership and building relationships.
• You are a strong verbal and written communicator and can communicate effectively with diverse groups of people.
• You have a deep knowledge of our key content areas including: anti-racism and anti-oppression frameworks; domestic poverty and social justice issues; the range and diversity of Jewish identity and practice; and leadership development for young adults.
• You are committed to integrating social justice activism and Jewish life.
• You are accountable for your own work and are a strong project manager. You juggle competing demands, prioritize with ease, and are efficient with your time. You are comfortable with deadlines. You have experience with, or a willingness to learn to use, project management tools such as Asana.
• You are able to work evenings and weekends.

Accessibility

This role involves regularly traveling throughout New York City for programming. The role involves occasional evening and semi-regular weekend programming, as well as a few high volume periods particularly during the move-in and move-out portions of the program year. During these times the Program Director may be asked to assist with minor physical labor, as physical ability allows. The flow of the work is variable; there are times when the work is fast-paced and there are slower periods depending on the time of the program year. This position entails working with deadlines and prioritizing different responsibilities. The abilities to handle stressful situations with multiple projects underway at the same time, and to work both independently and collaboratively, are essential.

The interview process will be conducted entirely remotely via phone and video conferencing. The applicant may be asked to complete a compensated skills assessment as well, which will be done via video conferencing.

Avodah is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Avodah will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. 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 and privileges of employment, please contact jobs@avodah.net.

• Healthcare: 100% employer paid medical, dental, and disability insurance
• Time off: Vacation days (starting at 15 per year and increasing with paid employment) and sick time (12 per year), plus paid time off for Jewish and secular holidays
• Generous paid parental leave policy
• Flexible spending account options
• Retirement savings plan with an employer contribution after 90 days of employment
• A flexible work schedule
• Professional development funds and opportunities to learn and grow
• A strong organizational culture and supportive team with employee well-being prioritized
• Commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to bring their full self to work and make a positive impact on the world
• Being part of a passionate team of people who are devoted to Avodah’s mission

This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific terms and conditions of employment may be subject to a future Collective Bargaining Agreement.