Job description
ABOUT JCUA:
The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA) is the Jewish social justice voice in Chicago, working to combat poverty, racism and anti-Semitism in partnership with Chicago’s diverse communities. JCUA and its members are powerful advocates for social justice in Chicago and work in partnership with directly-impacted communities to decrease disparities and inequality in our city.

Through JCUA membership, we focus on four core program areas:

Issue-based Campaigns
Community Investment
Bridge-building partnerships
Or Tzedek Teen Programming
We are seeking someone to fill the position of Teen Programs Coordinator.

OR TZEDEK:
Or Tzedek (Hebrew for “Light of Justice”) is JCUA’s teen institute for social justice. During the year round and summer programs, Jewish high school teens come together to learn about the root causes of social inequality, develop community organizing skills, understand “allyship”, and strengthen their Jewish identities through hands-on engagement in the critical social justice issues in Chicago today. Through Or Tzedek, JCUA builds a movement of Chicago Jewish teen activists who have a tremendous positive impact in their own communities, as well as on their college campuses.

ABOUT THE POSITION:
JCUA is a small and dynamic organization, where the staff is supportive and collaborative in pursuit of each other’s work and goals. We work closely together, with an understanding that we will only maximize our impact when we are aligned and working in concert. This position will report to JCUA’s Manager of Community Building.

The Teen Programs Coordinator serves as the facilitator and educator for the Or Tzedek Program of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs The Teen Programs Coordinator is responsible for all summer and year-round, teen-related program development and implementation, marketing, recruitment, fiscal tracking, general operations and staffing in conjunction with other JCUA staff, and particularly the Manager of Community Building.

The Coordinator will recruit participants and continue to develop and implement JCUA’s existing social justice curricula for both the summer and year-round programs. The Or Tzedek curriculum seeks to introduce teens to identity & privilege, systems of oppression, root cause analysis of social justice issues, community organizing skills, and allyship through a Jewish lens. The coordinator is responsible for implementing the curriculum and connecting teens (and their families and communities) to JCUA’s issue campaigns.

Additionally, the Coordinator is responsible for hiring and training summer program staff. S/he will supervise Or Tzedek summer staff and interns. The person in this position will also play a role in JCUA’s issue-based campaigns and initiatives, incorporating the teen programs into the larger work of JCUA.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
1-3 years of experience working with teens in Jewish settings.
Bachelor’s degree or higher educational background.
Strong desire to work for social justice and connect social justice work to Jewish values.
Experience with formal and informal youth programming & teaching.
Ability to work weekends and evenings as needed (as much of the teen programming and recruitment happens on the weekends).
Proficiency using online social media platforms.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Passion for working with teens.
Understanding of root-cause analysis of structural discrimination.
Knowledge of Jewish communal life and Chicago neighborhoods.
Strong writer, good communicator, comfortable with public speaking.
Well-organized, ability to multi-task, and comfortable in diverse settings with diverse people.
Track record of creative program planning and implementation.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
Commitment to team-building and effective communication with colleagues.

HOW TO APPLY:
Before you apply, please visit www.jcua.org to familiarize yourself with JCUA’s work. To apply, please email resume and cover letter to jobs@jcua.org. Resumes and cover letters will be accepted through May 6, 2016. In your cover letter, be sure to explain:

Why you are interested in working at JCUA.
Why you are interested in this position in particular.
Which of your past experiences have prepared you to excel in this position.
JCUA encourages applicants from all racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, sexual orientations and genders.