Educational Programs Specialist

Educational Programs Specialist 

The Educational Programs Specialist will play a key role in advancing The Task Force on Arab Citizens of Israel's educational mission and expanding our presence in the Israel education ecosystem. In close collaboration with colleagues, the Programs Specialist will develop and deliver high-quality programs, trainings, and learning resources for American Jewish educational professionals and their learners. The position will help strengthen the Israel education field's capacity to engage thoughtfully and constructively with topics related to Arab citizens of Israel, Jewish-Arab relations within Israel, and the complexities of a shared society.  

In addition to planning and implementing programs, the Educational Programs Specialist will work with the Task Force team in the U.S. and Israel to manage and cultivate relationships with educators, educational institutions, and partner organizations. They will also contribute to the development of pedagogy, curriculum, program models, and the Task Force’s broader educational strategy. This is a unique opportunity to work closely with leaders across the American Jewish Israel education field as well as with Arab/Palestinian and Jewish professionals advancing shared society initiatives in Israel in a creative and dynamic role.  

Thinking about applying?  

Frequently cited statistics show that historical biases in hiring lead to fewer applications from underrepresented groups due to a false perception that they must meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage you to break that statistic and apply if you meet a majority of the requirements. We look forward to your application.  

Essential Functions  

Field Building and Partnership Management  

• In coordination with teammates in Israel, work with leading partner organizations across the Israel educational field to implement strategic projects systemically integrating Arab citizen-related content into their programs and curricula.  
• Represent the Task Force at conferences, convenings, and professional gatherings focused on Israel and Jewish education.  
• Develop and maintain relationships with existing and new educational partners, which can include Israel travel organizations, communal organizations, summer camps and youth movements, informal education institutions and more.  
• Strengthen the Task Force's visibility and reputation as a trusted educational resource within the Israel education field.  

Educational Program Development and Facilitation  

• Design, plan, and implement in-person, experiential/travel, and virtual educational programs for American Jewish learners, with a primary focus on teens, young adults, and emerging leaders.  
• Facilitate and moderate educational programs that bring diverse contemporary Arab perspectives to American Jewish learners, doing so with sensitivity to the needs of both speakers and learners  

Educator Training and Professional Development  

• Develop and deliver trainings and learning opportunities that equip educators with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to engage learners on topics related to Arab citizens of Israel and shared society.  
• Serve as a thought partner and resource for educators seeking to deepen their understanding and expand their educational practice.  

Additional Responsibilities   

• Contribute to the development of the Task Force's educational strategy and pedagogical approach, responding to changing realities in Israel and the North American Jewish community.  
• Create educational resources, curricular materials, discussion guides, and learning tools for use by educators and organizations.  
• Maintain systems for documenting and tracking outreach activities, partnerships, and engagement.  

Desired Qualifications  

• Prior experience designing and leading educational programs for young adult learners; familiarity with and experience in teen programs preferred  
• Strong facilitation and moderation experience and skills, including the ability to guide complex and nuanced conversations.  
• Deep familiarity with the U.S. Israel education landscape, including key organizations, stakeholders, resources, and trends  
• Prior experience with and knowledge of issues related to Arab citizens of Israel, Jewish-Arab relations within Israel, and the field of shared society  
• The ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural setting with a diverse range of stakeholders. This includes teammates and partners within the American Jewish community as well as with Jewish and Arab partners in Israel.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a small, diverse, mission-driven team.  
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and relationships simultaneously.  
• Prior experience creating educational resources, curricula, or training materials preferred.  
• Experience in experiential Jewish or Israel education is strongly preferred.  
• Hebrew language skills are a plus.  

Additional Details  

• Employment Type: This is a 6-month position with the potential for permanent employment  
• Hours: 35 hours/week, 8:45 AM – 4:45 PM  
• Location: New York, NY – Hybrid; in-office Tuesdays and Thursdays  
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel, including domestic trips several times a year and periodic travel to Israel.  
• Reports to: Liron Shoham, Executive Director  
• Job Function/Department: The Task Force on Arab Citizens of Israel  

What are the compensation and benefits for an Education Programs Specialist?  

This is a flexible position that can be a part-time (21-34 hours per week) or a full-time (35 hours per week) position paid semi-monthly at an hourly rate of $38.31 - $49.26; in determining where a candidate falls within that range, JDC considers several factors, including skills and experience, internal equity, and cost of living in the location of work. This role is non-exempt per the FLSA.  

We offer an excellent benefits package, including but not limited to:  

• Competitive medical, vision and dental insurance coverage  
• Paid time off, including vacation days, sick and personal days, and Jewish and national holidays.  
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave for full-time staff who have worked with JDC for at least 1 year  
• 403(b) with JDC contributions of 6.5% of salary  
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), commuter benefits, and life insurance  
• Learning & Development: Ongoing opportunities for professional development through workshops and training programs offered through our internal L&D program  
• Food Perks: Bagel Thursdays and beverages/snacks in the office for on-site and hybrid employees  

Why work at JDC/Task Force on Arab Citizens of Israel?  

• The People – What we hear most from our team members is that they enjoy working with others who share their passion for doing good; Our staff aim to use their skills to make a positive difference in the lives of others  
• A Global Environment – you will have the opportunity to develop a global perspective, working with staff from the U.S., Israel, the Former Soviet Union, and all over the world  
• Tikkun Olam – This Jewish value of “repairing the world” is deeply important to us. Collectively we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of others  

Equal Employment Opportunity  

JDC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As the world’s leading global Jewish humanitarian organization, we are committed to treating people with compassion and respect. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, mental disorder, familial status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.