Director, New York Education Initiative (Full-Time)

About JCRC-NY

The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY), a proud UJA-Federation of NY agency, serves as the primary community relations agency for the Jewish community in the metropolitan New York area. As an active force in New York civic and communal life, JCRC-NY operates as a central coordinating and resource body to: (1) Be a common table to cultivate understanding and joint action amongst diverse groups within the Jewish community; (2) Cultivate deeper relationships with the broader New York community to address critical issues and engender a shared society; (3) Ensure the security of the Jewish community in the face of rising antisemitism; and (4) Foster increased understanding and appreciation for the Jewish community’s relationship with Israel among diverse groups of New Yorkers.

New York Education Initiative

The New York Education Initiative is a new joint initiative of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) and the Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS) that utilizes community relations and academic approaches to dramatically increase professional development opportunities for social studies teachers in public and non-Jewish independent schools in order to provide them with a nuanced and holistic approach to understanding and teaching about Jews, Judaism, Jewish history, and Israel. In addition to offering professional learning opportunities, the initiative seeks to amplify the voice of the New York Jewish community in education coalitions, work with school and district leaders to promote an inclusive and safe K-12 school environment in public and independent schools and ensure accurate and inclusive social studies instruction related to Jews, Judaism, Jewish history and Israel.

The Director of the New York Education initiative is primarily responsible for creating and implementing strategies to build and advance these initiatives in the public education area in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island. This individual will work closely with the ICS New York Trainer/Educator to identify opportunities with school and district leaders to offer K-12 professional learning using ICS materials.

This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer, and must be based in the New York metropolitan area.

Responsibilities include:

• Work with the ICS New York Trainer/Educator to build relationships with school and district leaders
• Increase and provide opportunities to advance professional learning opportunities for social studies teachers in downstate New York utilizing ICS educational materials
• Create a well-organized infrastructure to mobilize groups of parents and other stakeholders to respond to education-related issues when necessary in response to ongoing developments
• Connect with existing Jewish organizations in the education arena to leverage preexisting relationships with legislators in Albany and New York City to mobilize around issues of common concern
• Build and convene a coalition of Jewish organizations to share information, resources, and strategize on issues of key concern within the public and independent non-Jewish private schools
• In collaboration with JCRC-NY staff, form relationships with key local and NY state education officials and interest groups in public education, with an emphasis on marginalized communities and communities of color
• Hold periodic events to engage Jewish community with Chairs of City and State Education Committees
• Monitor education legislation at the State and City levels.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned by the COO.

Requirements
• Deep understanding of the structure of the NYC Department of Education and its social studies core curriculum standards
• Minimum 5 years of experience teaching social studies to diverse classes of high-school students
• Excellent facilitation skills, with experience leading training sessions and discussions that shift mindsets
• Thorough understanding of the Jewish community, Judaism, Jewish history and the Arab-Israeli conflict
• Proven outreach and organizing capabilities and ability to work with diverse audiences
• Ability to work and thrive in fast paced environments and coalitions balancing time across a wide range of activities and prioritizing the most impactful work.
• Proven excellence in verbal and written communication
• Self-starter with creativity and a knack for problem solving

Compensation
• Competitive salary and benefits package, paid vacation, personal/sick days
• Ability to work in person and remotely

To apply, please send cover letter and resume to "careers (at) jcrcny.org"