Assistant Director of Congregational Learning and Community Engagement

SUMMARY

In collaboration with and under the supervision of the Director of Congregational Learning and Executive Director, the Assistant Director of Congregational Learning and Engagement will serve as a creative partner and executor of Temple Beth El’s (TBE) vision for the education and engagement of membership of all ages.

Our ideal candidate has worked in a variety of Jewish settings (e.g., camp, synagogues, progressive schools) and has specific experience/expertise in informal/experiential education. We are eager to find an enthusiastic, outgoing, and warm individual who strives for excellence. The value of relationship building is critical to our mission, and we seek a self-aware individual with high emotional intelligence who has experience in both one-to-one relationship development and presenting/speaking effectively to a group of adults and/or children. We also seek someone who is self-directed, takes initiative, and thinks creatively to solve problems while having strong organizational skills and the ability to do the detail-oriented work involved in preparing for and actualizing creative programming.

Top quality synagogue work requires long and unusual hours (including many evenings and weekends); the position includes flexible hours, when warranted, to ensure a balanced lifestyle for the right candidate. TBE is a professional environment with high expectations; we offer the support and resources to actualize our goals, uphold our standards, and grow professionally. This position is a great chance for someone to learn, grow, explore, implement innovative ideas, and have tremendous impact. We seek someone who loves this sacred work, has a strong desire to learn and in the position, and approaches their work with a high degree of professionalism.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Serve as member of the Senior Staff.
2. Work in partnership with clergy, staff & lay leadership to fulfill the Temple’s mission.
3. Actively build relationships with and among TBE’s membership.

EDUCATION PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Partner with the Director of Congregational Learning to seamlessly merge formal and informal youth experiences and work to elevate the presence of youth within the Temple Beth-El community.
2. Organize and oversee informal youth experiences.
3. Administer the annual Purim Carnival in partnership with teen and lay leadership.
4. Supervise and mentor teen leaders while guiding them to develop successful programming (religious & cultural, social action, and social) for themselves and/or younger children.
5. Coordinate and oversee the Religious School Madrichol Program including creation and teaching of development seminars along with regular check-ins and evaluation.
6. Work jointly with the Director to plan and conduct faculty development opportunities.
7. Support the Director to plan and execute a broad array of adult education opportunities, potentially leading sessions as appropriate.
8. Teach a variety of grades/classes as deemed appropriate, step in to cover classes as necessary.
9. Coordinate and supervise the Confirmation Academy program for grades 8-10 in consultation with the Director. This includes curriculum development, staff supervision, recruitment and retention, and teaching in the program.
10. Teach in our Confirmation Academy program for grades 11-12 in partnership with the Director of Congregational Learning.
11. Assist the Director to plan, staff, and lead various day-long and overnight trips. This will include chaperoning multiple overnight trips each year.
12. Partner with the Director of Congregational Learning to nurture and grow initiatives such as the Young Family Initiative, Kesher Initiative for Young Adults, and others as appropriate.

ENGAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Sustain an atmosphere of warmth, welcome, and inclusion in all interactions with congregants, prospective congregants, and the community. Support objectives of enhancing a culture of connection.
2. Work in partnership with the Executive Director to enhance donor stewardship activities, lifting the value of philanthropy through connection.
3. Partner with the Executive Director to develop and implement new member and member engagement strategies and programs. 
4. Coordinate the admin team's efforts to maintain member data to support engagement initiatives (data upkeep, collection, and reporting)
5. Assist in community-wide programming (e.g., Shabbat/holiday family services, etc.).
6. Communications:
   1. Promote awareness of and participation in congregational events/programs/lifestyle by maintaining and growing both push and pull communication platforms (e.g.: the website, blog, weekly emails, special event messages, etc.) 
   2. Develop additional avenues/strategies to share information/promote the community (e.g., social media) with the objective of reaching the unaffiliated.
   3. Participate in efforts to gather, evaluate, and respond to input from community members (e.g., surveys, listening campaigns, parlor meetings, benchmarking assessments, etc.)
7. Technology:
   1. Serve as a tech expert for the various business systems platforms. Assist in training team members to effectively use platforms. Identify and help implement alternate approaches to enhance overall objectives. 
   2. Support production and broadcasting of ritual services (Shabbat, holidays) for hybrid sanctuary/remote worship experiences. Train others to effectively use broadcast platforms. 
   3. Current platforms include Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, ShulCloud, Constant Contact, WordPress, Publisher, Canva, CalendarWiz; Broadcasting: Zoom, Vimeo, YouTube, NDI, other sound equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Undergraduate degree required; Masters in Jewish Education or Non-profit Management valued.
• Experience in Jewish supplementary, informal, organizational, or day school.
• Experience working with youth & teens with a variety of learning needs and disabilities.
• Experience in coordinating, facilitating, and implementing programs as well as managing and mentoring a team of educators and staff.
• Specific experience in informal and innovative engagement techniques.
• Knowledge and understanding of Jewish tradition and practice as well as a familiarity and comfort with Reform Judaism and all its branches (education, youth, camp, etc.).

SKILLS

• Outstanding administrative and organizational skills.
• Proficient in various technology platforms; proven ability to learn new technologies.
• Ability to work seamlessly and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to develop meaningful relationships with a wide range of constituents.
• Ability to manage and lead through ambiguity.
• Demonstrates understanding of and full support of the mission, vision, values, and beliefs of the congregation and can teach those values to others.   

Annual salary 52,000-62,000 based on experience. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. They will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their supervisor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.