Gap Year Resident Advisor position available in Portland, OR

Tivnu: Building Justice is looking for a caring, organized, and dedicated individual to complete our Jewish social justice gap year staff team. The Tivnu Gap Year Resident Advisor (also known as a “madrichol”) will live on site with 8-13 Gap Year participants (aged 17-20), mentor program participants in formal and informal settings, work closely with the Program Director to create an atmosphere of personal and communal growth, and perform a variety of organizational support tasks.

Overview of Tivnu:
With a focus on teens and emerging adults, Tivnu: Building Justice engages and mobilizes Jewish communities on the issue of shelter and other basic human rights through hands-on service and internships, education, and advocacy. Tivnu, located in Portland, Oregon, offers 3-14 day programs, and its cornerstone program, the Tivnu Gap Year.

The Tivnu Gap Year Program is a 9-month immersive experience for high school graduates, aged 17-20, from across the United States. Participants:
Live together and create a communal household, developing skills such as conflict resolution, cooking, and managing a budget.
Work with local grassroots organizations on a variety of social justice issues, while developing direct service, organizing, and advocacy skills.
Explore the connections between Jewishness and today’s most urgent social justice issues, including poverty, racism, affordable housing, migration and refugees, LGBTQ and women’s rights, labor, and more.
Delve into their Jewish identity within a welcoming, pluralistic community.
Learn construction skills and, if they choose, build affordable and sustainable housing with other non-profits such as Cascadia Clusters and Habitat for Humanity.

Tivnu seeks to foster a work environment that values each staff member’s strengths and professional growth, that approaches challenging issues with integrity and compassion, and that values a sense of humor and enjoyment of our work together.

Primary Tasks and Responsibilities:
Live in the communal home to mentor, support, and ensure the safety and well-being of program participants.
Communicate openly and regularly with participants, including one-on-one mentorship meetings and facilitation of group discussions, and offer mediation among participants as needed.
Support the program’s social justice curriculum and participants’ integration of their learning and experiences.
Support participants’ growing independence, including: time management, planning community-building activities, cooking, household chores, blogging, facilitation of house meetings, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
Coordinate logistics for and facilitate multi-day trips, team-building activities, hiking, camping, shared meals, etc.
Have a clear understanding of program expectations and rules, and ensure they are followed.
May include occasional travel for recruitment and work with visiting groups throughout the year.
Contribute to the work of the communications and administrative team through social media, website maintenance, data entry, and correspondence.
Additional tasks and projects as assigned.

Requirements & Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree
Experience working with teenagers and young adults in informal or formal education, preferably in a residential setting.
Excellent communication, listening, conflict resolution, community building, and interpersonal skills.
Facility with Shabbat songs and rituals and general Jewish knowledge. Familiarity with the laws of kashrut to help maintain the Tivnu kosher kitchens.
Flexibility in working hours: evening and weekend hours required, time off during the day will compensate.
Commitment to social justice.
Strong organizational and administrative skills with ability to fulfill diverse responsibilities and prioritize tasks. Strong social media skills. Experience with CRM (Salesforce) preferred.
Excellent driving record and ability to drive a 15-passenger van.
Patience, kindness, and enjoyment in working with people.

Tivnu is an equal opportunity employer. Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews, Jews of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, LGBTQIA people, and people who come from working class backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.