JEWISHcolorado Teen Program Coordinator

JEWISHcolorado strengthens and connects the Jewish community in Colorado, Israel, and around the globe by creating diverse pathways to engage in Judaism. During these unprecedented times, JEWISHcolorado is at the forefront of mobilizing, sustaining, and educating our Jewish community while continuing to honor our past and plan for our future.

Position Summary: The Teen Program Coordinator will work with Jewish Student Connection (JSC) and the Joyce Zeff Israel Study Tour (IST). The JSC focuses on impacting teens and ensuring they make meaningful personal connections with Jewish culture, Jewish people, Israel, and each other in a public-school environment. This role requires a charismatic and strategic thought leader to engage and mentor Jewish and non-Jewish teens in Jewish programming in public high schools. IST is the Colorado community teen tour to Poland and Israel, taking approximately seventy incoming seniors on a five-week trip each summer, and this role supports recruitment, pre-trip programming, and attends the tour.

Jewish Student Connection (JSC) uses a public-school based club model as a catalyst for educating, engaging, and helping Jewish and non-Jewish teens feel a sense of belonging by providing experiential student-led programming and mentorship opportunities. The JSC promotes Jewish programming and relationship building for over 600 teens in 11 public high schools in the Denver area. Teens today are stretched thin and pulled in many directions. By hosting a club experience outside of class hours and on campus, JSC lowers barriers to participation and meets teens where they are. The JSC creates an inclusive, welcoming environment for Jewish and non-Jewish teens to gather weekly, providing social connections, mentorship, and opportunities to engage in meaningful Jewish experiences while eating pizza or bagels. These experiences support Jewish and non-Jewish teens during a critical period of their identity development.

For over fifty years, IST has helped Jewish Coloradans broaden their knowledge about Israel, its neighbors, and Jewish heritage and history. The Joyce Zeff Israel Study Tour combines extraordinary adventure, exceptional leaders with years of experience, and a commitment to education and Jewish values. It is open to all incoming seniors in high school who live or are connected to the Colorado Jewish community. Every month prior to departure for their five-week tour, participants gather to learn about Israel, themselves, and prepare to start their peer group journey to Israel.

Primary Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with the Director of JSC and other staff to implement teen-led programs
• Plan and organize weekly clubs in coordination with JSC staff and student leaders that inspire Jewish pride, identity, and values, including coordinating program materials, pizza, and weekly club schedules
• Oversee and manage student leadership teams and implement teen leadership development and trainings throughout the school year
• Attend and lead all in-person or virtual programs
• Implement mentorship program, building and maintaining relationships with leaders and students through weekly one-on-one meetings
• Work closely with four shinshinim (Israeli teen emissaries), who attend every club and program
• Collaborate with partner organizations on community-wide teen programs
• Manage data tracking, surveys, and communication
• Market program to and recruit high school juniors
• Travel to Poland and Israel for five weeks

Other Requirements:
• Demonstrates JEWISHcolorado core values:
o Bring your best self to work
o A positive can-do attitude
o Effective collaboration
o A commitment to and responsibility for shared values and building community
o A strong work ethic and commitment to one’s work
• A self-starter and charismatic personality who works well independently and on a team
• A strong work ethic with the ability to take calculated risks and learn from successes and failures
• Passionate about working with high school students and nurturing the next generation of Jewish leaders
• Ability to organize and manage multiple clubs, schedules, and projects simultaneously
• Proficiency with social media, Microsoft, and other technology
• Personal vehicle needed for travel to high school programs (mileage reimbursed)

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree
• Significant experience working and connecting with high school teens
• Strong Jewish background

Position Type: This position requires regular weekday work hours as well as some night and weekend programming, community-partnered programming, meetings, and active participation in programs that occur outside of a traditional work schedule. Approximately 40 hours per week, in-person, exempt.

Benefits: 20 days vacation, 8 national holidays, 17 Jewish holidays, 10 days sick leave, FSA, HSA, HRA, health, vision, dental, disability, and life insurance; 401(k) match, gym membership.

Salary Range: $50,000-$55,000 per year