Youth Programs Manager

START DATE: June 15, 2024

Are you a passionate outdoor Jewish educator?  Do you love to lead Jewish, earth-connected experiences for youth? Can you support and empower mentors to brilliantly guide youth, drawing from nature, Jewish values, and ancestral wisdom? 

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

Wilderness Torah seeks a Youth Programs Manager to support nature-based, experiential education programs for youth grades 2-12. Our youth programs integrate caring mentorship and nature-based exploration with Jewish spirituality, tradition, and wisdom. Small groups are led by passionate mentors who create experiences that guide children through the nature-based rhythm of the Hebrew calendar. As the Youth Programs Manager, you will use your skills in facilitation, relationship management, and organization to inspire your team, while growing a deeper connection to Jewish wisdom and identity. 

The Youth Programs Manager is responsible for managing Wilderness Torah’s B’hootz (Grades 2-5), B’naiture (6th-8th), Neshama Quest and Shomrim (8th-12th) programs, and supporting the development and implementation of partnership programs with other Jewish institutions. These responsibilities include:

• Managing a team of adult and teen mentors
• Overseeing the logistical and programmatic implementation of in-person nature immersion day-long programs, camping trips, and backpacking trips
• Supporting curriculum development for programs and staff training
• Maintaining inventory and orderly storage of Wilderness Torah’s program gear  

The goal of Wilderness Torah programming is to provide youth with meaningful, Jewish, and earth-connected experiences that will serve them in being whole, life-loving, community-oriented, eco-centric people. As the Youth Programs Manager, you are responsible for recruiting, training, and supporting mentors, ensuring program quality and smooth operation. You will manage all administrative aspects of the programs, being responsive to the changing needs of our community and families, by maintaining positive relationships and adapting programs as needed.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Manage Year-Round Youth Programs (B’hootz, B’naiture, and Shomrim)

• Leads operational implementation of all programs
• Participates in recruitment, training, and management of program mentors
• Supports curriculum development with relevant Jewish, nature connection and Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion themes
• Manages communications with families and stakeholders
• Ensures program quality through site visits
• Coordinates parent programs
• Coordinates Institutional Partnership programs
• Contributes to marketing and promotion of the programs

2. General Wilderness Torah Responsibilities

• Support special tasks as needed and as available
• Participate in weekly staff meetings and periodic retreats
• Participate in Cultural Evolution work that aims toward deeper collaboration, more equitable decision-making, and stronger cultural anchoring
• Participate in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work
• Engage as a thoughtful member of a small, innovative team and community

ABOUT YOU:

As a strong applicant, you possess the experiences and skills listed below. Applicants with varying competencies  are encouraged to apply, provided that they display the ability to successfully perform the job description. 

• 3+ years experience working as a teacher or mentor; Jewish experience necessary
• Excellent people skills
• Passionate about outdoor learning 
• Excellent verbal & written communication and customer service skills
• Self-motivated with ability to lead projects while collaborating with teams
• Analytical and detail-oriented
• Proficiency with Google Workspace
• A passion for earth-based Judaism and a demonstrated commitment to our mission
• Able to lift a minimum of 25 pounds
• Access to a vehicle

ABOUT WILDERNESS TORAH:

Founded in 2007, Wilderness Torah is a leader in the earth-based Judaism movement and has served thousands of people with land-based holiday retreats; outdoor, mentor-based K-12 programs; young adult leadership development, local and national training in our models, and most recently our virtual learning opportunities. We’re here as one healing balm in an overstressed, disconnected culture – to reconnect to the magic created when we get out into nature, experience embodied Jewish ritual and learning, all within a multi-generational setting. See our website at www.wildernesstorah.org. 

Our workplace culture is one based on flexibility, trust, warmth, and dedication. Our team works hard, brings their whole selves, takes time when they need it, and relishes helping create meaningful experiences. We also have a large community of hundreds, from families in our youth programs to participants who help co-create our events. You will work with an amazing team of smart and caring people, in a workplace culture that values flexibility and collaboration.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

Compensation and Benefits

• Full-time, competitive nonprofit salary commensurate with experience. Salary range from $65,000–$75,000
• Medical and dental benefits
• Retirement Plan: SIMPLE IRA with matching
• We offer ten U.S. holidays and all chag Jewish holidays off (days that follow the Shabbat rules of no work). We have a flexible vacation, maternity, and sabbatical policy
• Flexible work schedule. Work remotely and onsite for specific programming
• Free attendance at Wilderness Torah community programs, 25% discount on youth programs
• Be an integral part of an innovative organization in an exciting growth phase, as well as part of a cutting-edge movement to reconnect Judaism to the earth

Schedule & Supervision

• This role is supervised by the Programs Director
• At times the YPM will need to work evenings and weekends 

To apply

• Please send resume, two references, and cover letter (one page) in a single PDF to jobs@wildernesstorah.org, include “Youth Programs Manager” in the Subject line.
• Start Date: June 15, 2025 
• Application Due Date: open until filled

Wilderness Torah believes that personnel diversity is an organizational strength, and recognizes and values the intersecting identities that staff members bring to our organization. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply. WT is committed to providing equal employment consideration without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. Local candidates only, or be willing to relocate. Thank you!