Director of Jewish Life and Learning

Position Overview

Kehillah Jewish High School is seeking a vibrant and dynamic leader to take on the newly developed role of Director of Jewish Life and Learning beginning August 1, 2021. As a community-based progressive and pluralistic Jewish high school, the integration of Jewish values, wisdom, and practice into school climate, student life, and student learning is a vital aspect of this work. This position combines outward-facing and inward-facing service to the school and will be a highly visible member of the Senior Leadership Team.
The DJLL is responsible for leading aspirational visioning, implementation, and communication of our mission as a welcoming school. Ongoing pastoral care for students includes an overarching focus on adolescent development, with the goal of cultivating a healthy community for all constituents. Supporting the development of positive relationships within the student, faculty, and parent communities is a core component of the role.
Kehillah is a supportive teaching environment that embraces collaboration, outside-the-box thinking, and innovative pedagogy. Each student is challenged, actively encouraged, and supported to reach their potential. We are a community that fosters a culture of mutual respect, diversity, and inclusion. You’ll find supportive and encouraging colleagues here who will always care. If you want to join a community of passionate educators who empower students with the wisdom of Jewish values and strength to flourish in a rapidly changing world, we would love to meet you.

Essential Functions
Lead and oversee multiple aspects of student programming such as Kinnus (all-school orientation days), U.S. and international grade-level trips, Kabbalat Shabbat, Beit Midrash, Reflective Practice/T’fillah, holiday celebrations, and prom.
Advise Student Government, student-led clubs, and the Advisory program with a nuanced understanding of student and faculty agency within a cohesive Kehillah culture.
Manage the holistic pastoral care of students with a strengths-based, comprehensive, and collaborative approach.
Partner with the senior leadership team, counselors, deans, Diversity Coordinator, Learning Center, teachers, and parents to meet academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of Kehillah students.
Align discipline and accountability with our Four Commitments and implement them through a teaching perspective.
Maintain clarity in written communication about expectations/policies in the Student/Parent Handbook.
Facilitate proactive communication and aligned expectations between teachers and parents.
Thoughtfully engage in difficult conversations with students, faculty, and parents.
Develop and maintain safety protocols for on and off-campus events.
Attend student events regularly to ensure student safety and discipline are maintained.
Serve as an integral member of the Crisis Response Team; coordinate yearly emergency preparedness drills.
Collaborate to develop the school calendar, special schedules, faculty/staff meetings, and in-service days.
Assist with the admissions process, including attendance at all Open Houses.
Collaborate on the planning and coordination of graduation.

This is a Full-Time position beginning in July, 2021.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
A clear commitment to our educational philosophy as articulated by Our Four Commitments.
Deep understanding of and ability to cite all school policies and procedures and assist in their articulation and enforcement across all campus constituencies.
Possess knowledge and application of best practices in advancing equity and social justice in independent school education.
Deeply committed to and knowledgeable about pluralism within the Jewish community and inclusive of those who do not identify as Jewish but join us as allies.
Proven ability to set clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations for students and adults.
Highly skilled at managing logistics and juggling various responsibilities at once.
Strong personal leadership skills, including mentoring and developing student leaders.
Able to work flexible hours to complete job requirements, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Available to travel throughout the U.S. and internationally for class trips.
Experienced in project management and fiscal responsibility; strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
Skill and comfort with social media usage and in a technology-rich environment. Proficiency with Google Docs, and is a quick-study on other technologies.

Core Competencies
Adept at managing conflict with individuals and teams.
Strong work ethic: shows initiative, demonstrates professionalism, and sustains integrity in all interactions.
A growth mindset and ability to give and receive guidance, constructive feedback, and support.
Applies common sense, extreme diplomacy, discretion, integrity, and confidentiality in all communications.
Demonstrates genuine humility and respect when interacting with others, regardless of their point of view.
Approachable and engaging personality, able to connect with multiple constituencies.
Innovative and collaborative in all aspects of work.
Excellent oral, written, and non-verbal communication skills, with a particular talent for active listening.
Takes personal responsibility for the continuous learning of new knowledge, skills, and experiences.
Makes timely and quality decisions based on a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment.
Passionate about supporting equal access to learning in a diverse community; customer-focused.
Results-oriented and goal-focused.

Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a four-year college or university in Jewish Studies or related discipline; ordained Rabbi a plus.
Two years’ experience working in an educational environment as a Jewish Educator.
Expertise in Jewish text, across millennia, and the ability to integrate content in innovative and traditional ways.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
Hearing and speaking to exchange information.
Regularly use close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
Work at a desk and computer screen for extended periods of time.
Work in a traditional climate-controlled environment and occasionally outdoors.
Navigate a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and diverse contacts which may at times be stressful.
Occasionally lift up to 30 lbs.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate all office equipment including, but not limited to, computers, copy machines, and telephones.
Travel safely and comfortably across a two-story, 50,000 sq. ft. campus several times in a workday.
Sit and/or stand for extended periods of time.
Turn, bend, kneel, crouch, or reach overhead to retrieve materials and may occasionally use a ladder.
Available and willing to attend and work on overnight trips.
Please apply directly on our website: www.kehillah.org