Careers

Assistant Director, Year-Round Engagement & Logistics URJ Eisner Camp

Location: Remote/In person meetings/In residence at camp during the summer season  

Organization: Union for Reform Judaism 

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

Department: Eisner Camp 

Reporting to: Camp Director  

Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary Range: $52,000 - $56,000 plus competitive benefits package 

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

The Role 

The Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) Eisner Camp is seeking a dynamic, passionate, and strategic Assistant Director to contribute to the creation of a vibrant summer camp and year-round youth and family engagement experience. The Assistant Director plays a critical role in advancing the URJ's mission to foster inclusive, traveling communities of belonging, where young people from diverse backgrounds—including Campers of Color, LGBTQ+ campers, campers with disabilities, and others from underrepresented communities—are empowered as leaders to make the world a better place and engage in Jewish life throughout their lives. The Assistant Director will be instrumental in creating transformative camp experiences while overseeing year-round engagement programs and ensuring the smooth operation of camp logistics. 

What You Will Do 

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

CAMP LEADERSHIP & Programming 

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to create and implement engaging year-round programs, ensuring alignment with URJ’s values and mission. 

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

• Support the emotional and social well-being of campers and staff through best practices, creating an environment where all individuals feel supported, safe, and valued. 

• 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 and model DEI efforts, ensuring the camp environment reflects racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and Jewish values in all aspects of programming and engagement. 

ENGAGEMENT, Recruitment & Retention 

• Support the recruitment and retention of year-round program participants, families, and campers from a wide range of backgrounds, including underrepresented backgrounds mentioned above. 

• Oversee and manage the year-round engagement of families, including but not limited to age group reunions, Heller-Wexler Weekends, etc.  

• 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 camp.  

• 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. 

OPERATIONS & LOGISTICS  

• Oversee daily camp operations, ensuring that logistics, scheduling, and program execution are smooth, efficient, and aligned with the camp’s mission. 

• Ensure the camp adheres to URJ, American Camping Association, state, and federal safety standards, including overseeing the safety of campers, staff, and visitors. Supervise staff to maintain the highest levels of health, safety, and security across all activities. 

• Supervise seasonal logistics, including the setup for programs and events, laundry services, opening and closing procedures, and coordination of visiting days. 

• Continuously evaluate and improve camp operations to ensure optimal performance and alignment with camp goals and industry best practices. 

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

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

• Project Management & Operations: Proficiency in planning, executing, and overseeing complex projects, ensuring deadlines and goals are met effectively. Ability to oversee multiple logistics simultaneously, managing tasks such as scheduling, event coordination, and program set-up. Strong skills in managing day-to-day operations, ensuring the smooth running of camp activities, events, and facilities. A commitment to ensuring that the camp adheres to health, safety, and security requirements. 

• 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. 

• Communication: Strong ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with campers, families, staff, and other stakeholders. Comfort and skill in speaking to groups, including leading training sessions, and orientations, and participating in professional development. Ability to draft clear, compelling communications, including emails, reports, and promotional materials. 

• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Ability to assess challenges, identify solutions, and make informed decisions quickly and effectively. Skills in resolving conflicts that may arise between staff, campers, or families, maintaining a positive and respectful environment. Ability to navigate unforeseen challenges and adjust plans to meet the needs of the camp community. 

• Self-Management & Accountability: Strong ability to assess priorities and manage time effectively to meet goals while ensuring personal well-being. Competence in establishing 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. 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 creating 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 15 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 is committed to creating a diverse environment. 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 and individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+.