Hillel Program Director for Jewish Life and Interfaith Engagement at Stetson University

Applications submitted through the Hillel International website will NOT be considered. To apply, please submit your application through the Stetson University website linked HERE.  

Hillel Program Director for Jewish Life and Interfaith Engagement

Stetson University

Role Overview

Reporting to the University Chaplain and Director of Religious and Spiritual Life, this position will continue to develop, articulate, implement, and create a pluralistic, inclusive, and innovative vision for Hillel and interfaith initiatives as part of an interfaith approach to supporting and growing the religious and spiritual lives of students at Stetson. This position will both help shape Hillel as an energetic enterprise that functions as the center for Jewish student life on campus through a strategy and execution of engagement of Jewish students and program development for the Stetson Hillel.  Provides 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.  Additionally, this position will lead interfaith initiatives and programming for the university.

What You’ll Do

Hillel Program

• 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 primary advisor for the Stetson Hillel student organization, support student-initiated programs, attend programs when appropriate (including evenings, weekends, and especially, Jewish holidays), and lead annual birthright trips. 
• Serve as primary resource for Jewish student life on campus and 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.
• Maintain and develop relationships with Campus Life departments and other departments on Stetson’s campus as well as strong relations with local and regional Jewish organizations and international Hillel organizations to provide services, support, and opportunities for Jewish students.
• Oversee communications, including social media, to sustain high visibility of Hillel among key constituencies on and off campus.
• In partnership with the University Chaplain, BEST team, 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.
• In partnership with the Office of Development, support initiatives related to fundraising and donor communication and appreciation related to the Hillel Program and Jewish life on Campus.
• Serve as building coordinator for the Ginsberg Hillel House.
• 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
• With supervisor approval and in addition to job responsibilities, opportunity to teach one course per semester for supplemental pay as an adjunct in relevant discipline, Jewish Studies, or First-Year Seminar if qualified and needed.

Interfaith Initiatives

• Work collaboratively and competently across a variety of cultures and in an inclusive multi-faith environment
• Promote interfaith student leadership on campus and provide mentoring and leadership development opportunities for student leaders and the Interfaith Values Fellows
• Collaborate with Dialogue and Civic Action staff and other faculty for special educational series, discussions, speakers, and other campus programming on interfaith dialogue and the intersection of religion and contemporary issues
• Maintain interfaith prayer rooms on campus and arrange for interfaith spiritual practice opportunities
• Participate in relevant University and Division committees as assigned, including a leading role on the BEST Team.

Required Qualifications

This position requires:

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university required (education and/or experience).
• strong Jewish identity and knowledge base, commitment to pluralistic Jewish learning, understanding A 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.
• 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. 
• Previous experience working with interfaith initiatives, dialogue, and conversations
• 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.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:

The ideal candidate’s qualifications include:

• Master’s degree or advanced degree in Jewish studies or related academic field, student affairs, higher education, counseling or a related field preferred
• Administrative responsibility in a university, religious institution, or social service agencies
• Experience with interfaith dialogue or interfaith relations, and demonstrated commitment to religious diversity, healthy interreligious relations, and social justice
• Experience with programming and leadership development for young adults
• Previous experience working in a university environment

Work Environment

• Typical office environment with some occasional hours outside of the typical workday.