Director - Hillel Program
Stetson University JSO
Apply through the Stetson University career site here. Any applications submitted through the Hillel site will not be considered.
Role Overview
Impact the world by enriching the lives of Jewish students by joining Hillel at Stetson University as the Hillel Program Director. You’ll wake up each day (or at least most) and be genuinely excited about building on a solid foundation to continue shaping and growing an inviting place that inspires students to explore, experience, and create vibrant lives.
Reporting to the University Chaplain, the Hillel Program Director will help shape Hillel as an energetic enterprise that functions as the center for Jewish student life on campus. The Program Director is responsible for ensuring the strategy and execution of engagement and program development for the Stetson Hillel. Provide leadership to help Stetson University create meaningful and diverse opportunities for Jewish expression, cultivate student leaders, and consistently promote a welcoming and lively pluralistic Jewish community. This position will continue to develop, articulate, implement, and create a pluralistic, inclusive, and innovative Jewish educational vision for Hillel, as part of an interfaith approach of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life to supporting and growing the religious and spiritual lives of students at Stetson.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Engage with Jewish students on a daily basis and ensure a pluralistic and welcoming atmosphere for all, while ensuring a visible Jewish presence on campus.
- Work with student leaders to provide multiple entry points to participation in Jewish life on-campus for a broad range of students.
- Serve as the primary advisor for the Stetson Hillel student organization, and support student-initiated programs, attend programs when appropriate (including evenings, weekends, and especially, Jewish holidays), and lead annual birthright trips.
- Act as a Jewish educator, modeling for students a positive relationship with Jewish life, learning, and Israel. Adding accessible Jewish content and depth to other programs on campus. Demonstrating comfort with Jewish traditions, holidays, culture, and basic texts.
- Inspire Jewish students to reflect on their Jewish identity and serve as the primary resource for Jewish student life on campus.
- Organize and implement outreach to Jewish students on campus to encourage participation in Hillel programs.
- Work with students to plan social, recreational, and curricular programs as well as religious services and holiday observances for Hillel.
- Prioritize Taglit-Birthright Israel as a key engagement opportunity that will both grow student participation in Hillel overall as well as promote a positive relationship with Israel
- Oversee the evaluation of Hillel's programming, measurement of overall participation in Hillel activities, and recording of individual participation in signature activities, initiatives, and groups.
- Maintain and develop relationships with Campus Life departments and other departments on Stetson’s campus as well as in the local community to provide services, support, and opportunities for Jewish students.
- Advocate on behalf of Jewish students and Jewish interests on campus while calling on appropriate outside Jewish organizational resources for support.
- Coordinate and develop strong relations with local and regional Jewish organizations and international Hillel organizations.
- Oversee communications, including social media, to sustain the high visibility of Hillel among key constituencies on and off campus.
- In partnership with the University Chaplain, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, and Campus Life leadership, convene key community partners to support Hillel in dealing with highly visible, controversial issues affecting Jewish life on campus, calling on appropriate outside Jewish organizational resources for support where appropriate.
- In partnership with the Director of Admissions and recruiter assigned to Jewish students, develop appropriate opportunities to showcase Hillel at Stetson with prospective students during major campus visitation events.
- Serve as building coordinator for the Ginsberg Hillel House.
- Participate in relevant University and Division committees as assigned.
- With supervisor approval and in addition to job responsibilities, the opportunity to teach one course per semester as an adjunct in Jewish Studies or First Year Seminar if qualified and needed
- Perform other site and position specific functions as assigned.
Required Skills
- A passion for Jewish identity to encourage and promote a pluralistic and inclusive approach to religious expression through programs, events, and Shabbat/holiday observances on campus.
- Prior involvement in Hillel programming or Jewish community-based organizations is preferred but not a requirement to be a considered a qualified candidate.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the desire to work with colleagues across campus in a collaborative way to benefit students.
- Ability to multi-task and troubleshoot effectively.
- Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills.
- An ability to work as a semi-solo professional.
Required Experience
- Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university required (education and/or experience). Master’s degree or advanced degree in Jewish studies, student affairs, higher education, counseling or a related field preferred
- A strong Jewish knowledge base, commitment to Jewish learning, understanding of Jewish community, culture, heritage and traditions. Preferred experience in Israel (visiting or living).
- Experience in student engagement, community outreach & organizing, mentorship and ideally in event planning & youth marketing.
Apply through the Stetson University career site here. Any applications submitted through the Hillel site will not be considered.
About Hillel International
In 1923, Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means, a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today, Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at more than 550 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. As Hillel evolves as an organization, the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.
Hillel is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all.
