Description

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, URJ JACOBS CAMP

Location: Remote/In-person meetings, as needed (Must live in Jacobs Camp catchment area), In residence at URJ Jacobs Camp May-August

Organization: Union for Reform Judaism

Employment Type: Full Time, Benefits Eligible

Department: Camps & Immersives - URJ Jacobs Camp

Reporting to: Director, URJ Jacobs Camp

Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary Range: $48,000 - $52,000 plus competitive benefits package

Level/Salary Grade: Subject Matter Expert (Foundational) / A

THE ROLE

The Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) Henry S. Jacobs Camp team seeks an Assistant Director to help create a vibrant summer camp and year-round youth and family engagement experience. The assistant director plays a vital role in the success of our mission to create communities of belonging for families and campers from all backgrounds (including People of Color, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, interfaith, and other often underrepresented groups). The Assistant Director implements the camp’s vision and helps to execute an immersive experience offering day-to-day oversight of the camp experience, operations, recruitment and retention of campers and staff, and development of young people so they are inspired as leaders to make the world a better place and pursue lifelong engagement in Jewish life.

What You Will Do

The Assistant Director reports to the Camp Director and partners with the Jacobs Camp Year-Round team. They are responsible for the following:

CAMP LEADERSHIP

Assist in running the preparation and day-to-day operations of camp. Support all camp programs, initiatives, and efforts. Build and strengthen partnerships with internal and external stakeholders leading to the creation and execution of new year-round programs and engagement opportunities.
Mobilize campers, families, and staff from various and diverse backgrounds and identities, towards other URJ experiences and offerings.
Member of the camp’s professional team and URJ Camping System’s national cohort. Partner with colleagues on designated projects. Play an active, visible role on the regional and national camping scene. This includes participation in professional development opportunities.
Prioritize, model, and support continued learning around racial equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI) principles, Jewish values, and URJ org-wide priorities.

CAMPER & STAFF: ENGAGEMENT, RECRUITMENT & RETENTION  

Assist in recruiting, hiring, and retaining year-round program participants, campers, and staff.
Market, coordinate, and facilitate congregational and home visits throughout the catchment area.
Engage staff throughout the year and host events to maintain an ongoing connection between staff and camp.
Recruit new staff members through college fairs, referrals, and online platforms. Assist with designing and marketing staff positions. Participate in interview/hiring processes.
Effectively and efficiently respond to and support campers, families, and various program participants prioritizing program satisfaction and retention. Foster relationships and support individual families with special circumstances and accommodations.   
Support the creation and implementation of summer and year-round programs and retreats.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATION

Support the development and implementation of agile marketing and communications strategies that engage various audiences from a wide range of backgrounds (people of color, persons with disabilities, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ people from interfaith backgrounds, and other underrepresented identities) through social media and other platforms to recruit and retain campers and staff. Maintain consistent and frequent communication with stakeholders.
Create and manage virtual presence including social media, camp websites, newsletters, blog posts, etc. Monitor the impact of marketing and communications efforts and adjust activities as needed.
Partner with team members and across the system to ensure best practices and the highest return on investment. Work within URJ’s communications policies and guidelines including the use of social media, branding guidelines, templates, etc.
Support team in marketing and implementation of development agenda, events, and outreach.

YEAR-ROUND & YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Bring the “Jacobs Camp Magic” to regional congregations by supporting our micro and smaller congregations with innovative Jewish education through highly customized programming.
Throughout the year host several short-term programs at camp such as New Camper Weekend and Fall Fest.
Assist with organizing and mentoring NFTY regional teen leaders from a wide range of backgrounds (Teens of Color, LGBTQ+ identifying teens, teens with disabilities and other underrepresented groups) in grades 6-12, in the Southern Area region (Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Panhandle Florida, Arkansas), in support of the creation of the youth movement that they envision. Assist with planning and executing events in partnership with teen leaders, congregational professionals, and the Jacobs Camp team. Ensure all teen in-person and virtual experiences operate according to URJ policies/procedures, including Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (REDI) practices and within budget.  
Assist with logistics and operations of Dream Street camp, including but not limited to food service, health center and facility management. Ensure Dream Street follows URJ safety and security policies and procedures. Supervise staff to ensure camp and all programs comply with ACA standards, URJ standards, and other state and municipal regulations.

Who You Are & Keys To Success (the Must-haves)

To be successful in this job, you excel in the following areas:

Centering Youth Leadership and Being a Strong Mentor and Partner. A passion for working collaboratively with youth to help them actualize their power and create a strong Jewish Youth Movement; a good listener and compassionate partner; understands/learns how to affirm youth from various backgrounds and identities. Demonstrates strong and appropriate personal boundaries in relationships with youth; committed to lifting up youth voice and “leading from behind;” is excited by the idea of going above and beyond to help youth grow into their best selves.
Collaborate & Connect. Thrives on creating and sustaining a climate of inclusion, trust, and productivity. Holds self and others accountable for delivering on commitments on time and within budget. Able to initiate respectful, open dialogue to resolve issues. Willing to educate yourself on the work of the URJ outside of your area, consider how your work can align with and strengthen others, and seek opportunities to connect with people and ideas for continuous improvement within and across teams. Can develop strong public relationships with teens parents, synagogue professionals, volunteers, and community leaders. Exhibits high “emotional intelligence,” prioritizes relationship building, is a good listener.
Self-Management. Action-oriented. Able to scope a project before starting to identify purpose, outcomes, roles, and processes in relation to shared outcomes. Follow through with tasks on the agreed timeline. Proactively communicate if you are going to miss a deadline. Identify tools and processes that will increase and support accountability. Utilize effective time management tools to help with setting and meeting deadlines. Ask for help and support as needed. Maintain regular, open, honest, and respectful communication.
Marketing & Communications. Strong creative marketing mindset. Comfortable speaking with individuals in the camp community from diverse backgrounds. Open and effective communication and a relatable and professional manner with internal and external stakeholders. Strong presentation skills including a high level of comfort, confidence, and enthusiasm in front of groups. Ability to effectively and professionally represent the camp and the URJ via telephone, e-mail, and face-to-face communication. Able to share the vision for the camp and its program.
REDI Experience (Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion). Demonstrated experience prioritizing and executing Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (i.e., ableism, LGBTQIA+ Inclusion, antiracism, etc.) priorities. Willingness to seek out voices from diverse backgrounds to build ideas and make decisions. Prioritize outreach to multi-racial, marginalized communities. Plan and budget through a REDI lens using URJ resources.

Additional Requirements

Occasional in-person meetings, as needed
Spend approximately two weekends per month at a teen event or recruiting within region.
Travel throughout the South
In residence at URJ Jacobs Camp from early May through early August.

About Us

Every team member at the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) plays an essential role in our mission to create a whole, just, and compassionate world. Our team is creative, thoughtful, and innovative. Each member of the team is empowered to make meaningful contributions to achieving our shared goals. Our diverse team is made up of individuals with different skills and backgrounds and every team member is willing to take risks as well as take action to develop and create big ideas for the future of the Reform Movement. While this position focuses on a particular area of work, every team member is a vital part of our overall success.

The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) provides vision and voice to build strong communities that, together, transform the way people connect to Judaism and change the world. We acknowledge that due to racism, ableism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression, that our communities are not whole until everyone experiences a sense of belonging within the Jewish community. As the largest Jewish movement in North America, we stand for a Judaism that is inclusive and reflective of a wide range of identities and accept the responsibility of dismantling oppression both inside and outside of our communities. Through camping, youth experiences, programs, information sharing, and networking opportunities, our over 850 congregations and 14 residential camps create opportunities for our communities to enhance their capacity to build and expand community, engage in meaningful and authentic Jewish life, deepen Jewish learning, energize worship, pursue social justice and develop inspired leadership. Together, our employees and stakeholders, are creating Reform Judaism of today.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Apply online and include a one-page cover letter along with your resume, outlining your skills and experience and how you meet the essential functions and qualifications of the position. We look forward to hearing from you!  

The URJ strives to be a welcoming and inclusive environment that acknowledges diversity as a critical strength. We promote strenuous policies and practices of equal opportunity and diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals including those of any race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations. The URJ encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+, and other often underrepresented groups. 

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Assistant Director, URJ Jacobs Camp