Assistant Director, GUCI - Union for Reform Judaism

Assistant Director 

Location: Hybrid (Virtual and onsite at URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute) 

Organization: Union for Reform Judaism 

Employment Type: Full Time, Benefits Eligible, Exempt, MNGT  

Department: Camps & Immersives - Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) 

Reporting to: Associate Camp Director  

Start Date: ASAP 

Salary Range: $50,000 - $52,000 plus competitive benefits package 

Level/Salary Grade: Subject Matter Expert (Foundational) / A 

The Role 

The Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) Myron S. Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) seeks an Assistant Director to help create a vibrant summer camp and year-round youth and family engagement experiences. The Assistant Director helps to establish communities of belonging that build confidence and character of young people from a wide range of backgrounds (Campers of Color, LGBTQ+ identifying campers, campers with disabilities, and other underrepresented identities), so they are inspired as leaders to make the world a better place and pursue lifelong engagement in Jewish life. Specifically, the Assistant Director will support camper and staff engagement, recruitment, and retention. 

What You Will Do:

The Assistant Director reports to the Associate Camp Director and is responsible for the following: 

CAMP LEADERSHIP  

• Support all camp programs, initiatives, and efforts. Build and strengthen partnerships with internal and external stakeholders leading to the creation and execution of new year-round programs and engagement opportunities.  

• Foster connections among campers, families, and staff of diverse backgrounds, encouraging participation in various URJ programs and events year-round. 

• Member of the camp’s professional team and URJ Camping System’s national cohort. Partner with colleagues on designated projects. Play an active, visible role on the regional and national camping scene. This includes participation in professional development opportunities.   

• Prioritize, model, and support continued learning around racial equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI) principles, Jewish values, and URJ org-wide priorities.  

ENGAGEMENT, RECRUITMENT & RETENTION   

• Assist in recruiting, hiring, and retaining year-round program participants, campers, and staff. Provide tours of the camp during the summer and academic year. Assist with coordinating and facilitating congregational visits and home visits/parlor meetings.  

• Serve as the initial point of contact for current and prospective camp families for questions about enrollment, registration, and preparation for summer (including managing camper forms). 

• Maintain consistent, clear, and effective communication with campers, families, and stakeholders, ensuring a positive and lasting relationship with the camp community. 

• Identify, hire, and mentor staff to be integral partners in camp operations, fostering leadership and growth within the camp's culture. Supervise designated staff and areas of operation during.  

• Assist in the development and delivery of comprehensive staff training and orientation programs to ensure a high level of professionalism, commitment, and effectiveness in delivering the camp’s mission. 

• Support the creation and implementation of summer and year-round programs and retreats.  

Who You Are & Keys to Success (the must-haves): 

To be successful in this job, you excel in the following areas: 

• Engagement & Relationship Building: Ability to foster a strong sense of belonging among campers, families, and staff, connecting them to year-round programming and other URJ initiatives. Experience in recruiting and retaining participants, ensuring high levels of engagement in year-round camp programs. Ability to manage, motivate, and mentor a diverse team of staff, fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. 

• Camping: A deep passion for summer camps and an understanding of their transformative role in young people's lives. Experience working with children and camping or an equally immersive experience. Demonstrable experience as a professional staff member at a residential summer camp or similar experience is a plus. Represent and champion camp and the Union for Reform Judaism to the larger Jewish community and in the professional camping arena. 

• Self-Management & Accountability: Strong ability to assess priorities and manage time effectively to meet goals while ensuring personal well-being. Competence in establishing SMARTIE goals aligned with organizational objectives and collaborating with management for clarity. Skill in articulating needs and challenges clearly to foster a transparent and collaborative environment. Commitment to maintaining respectful communication and timely responses to colleagues and stakeholders. Initiative in regularly accessing organizational updates and essential information to stay informed and effective. 

• Collaborative Teamwork: Ability to work with diverse teams to achieve shared goals, ensuring clarity in roles and responsibilities. Proficient in scoping projects and using frameworks like MOCHA to define purpose, outcomes, and accountability. Skill in managing time and resources to meet commitments on schedule and within budget while addressing challenges respectfully. Willingness to learn about the broader organizational context and strengthen collaborative initiatives. Capacity to connect people and ideas to identify and implement opportunities for enhancement across teams. Skill in valuing diverse perspectives to develop comprehensive solutions and foster a culture of inclusion. 

• Commitment to Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI): Experience in or willingness to create equitable, diverse, and inclusive environments that foster a sense of belonging. Proficient in seeking and incorporating diverse viewpoints in decision-making processes to promote innovation. Ability to prioritize efforts to engage multi-racial and marginalized communities effectively. Willingness to apply a REDI framework in planning and budgeting processes to support fair initiatives. Skill in implementing and upholding shared agreements that advance Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Occasional in-person meetings, as needed. 

• Live in residence at camp during summer. 

• Weekend and evening travel for staff and camper recruitment.   

About Us 

Every team member at the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) plays an essential role in our mission to create a whole, just, and compassionate world. Our team is creative, thoughtful, and innovative. Each member of the team is empowered to make meaningful contributions to achieving our shared goals. Our diverse team is made up of individuals with different skills and backgrounds and every team member is willing to take risks as well as take action to develop and create big ideas for the future of the Reform Movement. While this position focuses on a particular area of work, every team member is a vital part of our overall success.   

The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) provides vision and voice to build strong communities that, together, transform the way people connect to Judaism and change the world. We acknowledge that due to racism, ableism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression, that our communities are not whole until everyone experiences a sense of belonging within the Jewish community. As the largest Jewish movement in North America, we stand for a Judaism that is inclusive and reflective of a wide range of identities and accept the responsibility of dismantling oppression both inside and outside of our communities. Through camping, youth experiences, programs, information sharing, and networking opportunities, our over 850 congregations and 14 residential camps create opportunities for our communities to enhance their capacity to build and expand community, engage in meaningful and authentic Jewish life, deepen Jewish learning, energize worship, pursue social justice and develop inspired leadership. Together, our employees and stakeholders, are creating Reform Judaism of today. 

Application Process 

Apply online and include a one-page cover letter along with your resume, outlining your skills and experience and how you meet the essential functions and qualifications of the position. We look forward to hearing from you!     

The URJ strives to be a welcoming and inclusive environment that acknowledges diversity as a critical strength. We promote strenuous policies and practices of equal opportunity and diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals including those of any race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations. The URJ encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+, and other often underrepresented groups.