Director of Hillel and Jewish Life

Title
Director of Hillel and Jewish Life

Department
Office of Spiritual and Religious Life

Regular or Temporary
Regular

Hours Per Week
40

FLSA Determination
Exempt

Weeks Per Year

44 weeks per year

Open Date
01/07/2025

Full or Part Time
Full Time

Position Summary

Trinity College seeks a staff that reflects the changing demographics of our student body. Our student body is diverse, representing forty-one states and seventy countries, with 21 percent U.S. students of color and 50 percent who identify as women. More than 90 percent of students live on campus. Trinity is a highly selective, independent, nonsectarian liberal arts institution located in the capital city of Hartford, Connecticut. With more than 2,100 full-time undergraduate students and ninety-one graduate students, the college maintains a rigorous academic profile complemented by a vibrant and diverse co-curricular program. We consider our location in a culturally and socioeconomically diverse capital city to be among Trinity’s most distinctive assets, and we cultivate strong connections with our surrounding neighbors and with institutions and organizations throughout Hartford and the region. As a preeminent liberal arts college in an urban setting, Trinity College prepares students to be bold, independent thinkers who lead transformative lives.

Our Director of Hillel and Jewish Life will oversee and lead our Hillel and broader Jewish Life program on campus. This role will connect, engage, motivate, and inspire a diverse Jewish population; collaborate with admissions to actively participate in Jewish student recruiting; develop key strategic relationships in the community and on campus; and support the development of financial resources to advance the mission of Hillel in inspiring Jewish students to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life. The Director of Hillel and Jewish Life will work within the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life supporting and developing interfaith bridges and will work with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Office of Student and Community Life, and the Office of Civic Engagement to support Trinity College’s’ commitment to welcoming all people and nurturing relationships among people of different religious worldviews. The Director of Hillel and Jewish Life reports directly to the College Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life and provides support as an advisor on religious programming and partnerships with local Jewish communities.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Engage with Jewish students consistently to ensure a pluralistic and welcoming environment for all and maintain a visible Jewish presence on campus.
• Promote and facilitate a diverse and meaningful programming agenda; develop relationships with students by meeting them where they are; understand, listen to, and show compassion for a broad range of students, involved and uninvolved; identify, engage, and nurture students to assume leadership at all levels; serve as a liaison with Hillel student leaders in the development of programming.
• Provide spiritual counseling to students and staff, including referrals to other offices and/or spiritual communities as needed.
• Assist in providing comprehensive support for spiritual and ethical life and attend to program administration and collaborative responsibilities with the Spiritual and Religious Life team.
• Maintain and strengthen connections with local Jewish communities and partner with Hillel International to ensure that the Hillel program incubates initiatives and remains committed to the Hillel movement’s global vision.
• Collaborate with the Trinity College Hillel Advisory Board in fundraising and other programmatic initiatives designed to further develop Trinity Hillel and strengthen Jewish life on campus.
• Work collaboratively as a member of the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life with the Office of Student and Community Life, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and other campus partners to further expand and enhance collaboration in the realm of religious, spiritual, and cultural diversity.
• Recruit and supervise additional Hillel staff and student workers.
• Oversee the operation and maintenance of the Zachs Hillel House.
• Perform other related duties as assigned and based on departmental need.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in Jewish studies, student affairs, higher education, counseling, or related field.
• At least 2 (5 preferred) years of experience.
• A unit of clinical pastoral education is preferred.
• Ability to demonstrate a deep faith and an open and inclusive spirit.
• Knowledge and significant experience with Jewish customs and rituals.
• Working knowledge of written and spoken Hebrew.
• Experience working with college students and a college or university setting.
• Demonstrated appreciation for the value of interfaith understanding and cooperation.
• Experience guiding emerging adults in faith and moral development.
• Ability to develop and implement creative, visionary programs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and meet goals and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.

Special Instructions to Applicants

All applicants must apply online by submitting their resume, cover letter and three references.



Quick Link
https://trincoll.peopleadmin.com/postings/3332

Trinity College is an independent, nonsectarian liberal arts college for men and women, with approximately 2,200 undergraduate students and 200 faculty members, located in Hartford, Connecticut. Our Mission is “Engage. Connect. Transform.” As the preeminent liberal arts college in an urban setting, Trinity College prepares students to be bold, independent thinkers who lead transformative lives. Trinity is an actively engaged community of students, faculty and staff who work together to develop and sustain the intellectual and creative opportunities central to a first-class liberal arts education. Hartford, the state capital, provides many opportunities for cultural and social engagement.

The College is committed to building a representative and diverse faculty, administrative staff, and student body. Trinity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applicants with disabilities should request, in advance, any needed accommodation in order to participate in the application process.

For all faculty positions, completion of the Ph.D. or appropriate equivalent is expected. Candidates should have a strong commitment to undergraduate and interdisciplinary teaching in a liberal arts context, and a well-articulated plan for sustained research. Trinity is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through their research, teaching, and service.