Youth Program Coordinator (PT)

Part-Time Youth Program Coordinator- UWS

Job Title: Part-time Youth Program Coordinator 

Location: Darkhei Noam, meets at Trevor Day School 1 West 88th Street

Hours: Approximately 20 hours/week, including Sat. mornings, some Shabbat luncheons and events, and occasionally Fri. nights or Sundays, as well as Jewish holidays, including the Yamim Noraim (when the hours might be higher).

Salary: $20,000-$30,000 commensurate with experience 

Contact: Betsy Smolar, Darkhei Noam Executive Director: [email protected]

Position Summary: 

The role of Darkhei Noam Part-time Youth Coordinator is ideal for an individual who loves working with children and families in a Jewish setting, coordinating and expanding our growing Youth Department. This position is perfect for individuals who like to take initiative, enjoy experiential Jewish education, and have an interest in Jewish text and leading youth tefillah. The Youth Program Coordinator will be responsible for liaising with families and appropriate shul members to lead and further develop weekly Shabbat minyan/educational programs for various ages. In addition they will manage the administrative work around the weekly programming and will develop and manage all special family programming for each Jewish holiday. 

The Youth Coordinator will report to the Executive Director and will be responsible to participate in weekly meetings, as well as organizational planning and brainstorming sessions.

About Darkhei Noam: 

Darkhei Noam is a large and vibrant community that meets weekly on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We are currently one of the largest partnership minyanim in the world, committed to creating a tefillah atmosphere that is halakhic, spiritual and inclusive - providing opportunities for women to lead many of its portions and participate fully in the Torah service. In addition to services every Friday night, Shabbat morning, and holiday morning, we offer a range of youth services, educational programs, and other community initiatives. 

Key Responsibilities:

Shabbat Day

• Develop and facilitate meaningful educational programming and lead weekly Shabbat prayer services or parsha groups for children ages 2-12
• Encourage and ensure children (boys and girls) participation at end of tefillah in sanctuary
• Develop meaningful educational program and/or lead weekly Shabbat minyan and parsha or holiday session for kids (5-7 year olds, 8-10 year olds) 
• Train, mentor, and coordinate teen helpers, [including weekly communication with teenagers to confirm attendance]  a beginning-of-year training session, and scheduling 3-4 additional mandatory check-in sessions throughout the year] 

Program Development

• Organize 3-4 family events throughout the year including chesed opportunities 
• Develop and coordinate special family programming for chagim
• Plan and facilitate programming and lead prayer services for children on chagim
• Liaise with families for pre- BarBat MitzvahMitzvah club and hold regularly scheduled pre Bar/Bat Mitzvah meetings with meaningful content and speakers/workshops

Youth Program Staff

• Train, mentor, and coordinate teen counselors (Madrichim), [including weekly communication to confirm attendance]  a beginning-of-year training session, and scheduling 3-4 additional mandatory check-in sessions throughout the year.

Administrative

• Meet with the Executive Director weekly at a mutually convenient time 
• Maintain and update a spreadsheet of teen madrichim contact information and Shabbat/chagim work schedule
• Manage babysitters and track hours/work of monthly earnings, preparing monthly payment schedule for babysitters and counselors (follow up with uncashed checks etc.)
• Assist in shul-administrative tasks related to family programming as needed
  - create youth event posters to promote events
  - maintain a spreadsheet of events, administrative tasks etc for each event
  - update annual parent packet
  - Ensure that all snacks, prizes, and games are prepared for Shabbat services and kids programming 
• Work with families to create a Youth (Parent) Committee to elicit ideas and implement   them as needed 
• Maintain and update spreadsheet of children and their ages in the minyan (Family contact information)
• Arrange with counselors (Madrichim) and babysitters to set up and clean up Youth programming 

Qualifications: 

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree 
• Passion for creating new programs and taking initiatives in a Jewish setting 
• Strong organization skills 
• Strong problem-solving skills, particularly with children and families
• Minimum of two years experience with experiential Jewish education 
• Experience leading youth tefillah/davening 
• Experience with Jewish text study 
• Knowledge of Jewish holidays, customs, and practices 
• Excellent communication skills 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team 
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed 
• Proficiency in Google Suite and some Canva/other
• Local resident