Applications submitted through the Hillel International website will NOT be considered. To apply, please submit your application through the Bucknell University website linked HERE. 

Jewish Life Program Director and Jewish Chaplain

 

Bucknell Hillel

Role Overview

Bucknell University seeks a vibrant, student-centered Rabbi to serve as Jewish Life Program Director and Jewish Chaplain who will inspire and guide the Jewish students, so that they will actively engage in the process of building and sustaining a vibrant, meaningful, and pluralistic Jewish campus community. Bucknell invites candidates who are forward-thinking and committed to strengthening the Jewish community on campus (where approximately 7% of the student body self-identified as Jewish).

Job Duties

Reporting Relationship:

• The position is part of a vibrant, Multi-Faith Chaplaincy, reports to the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life, and supervises a full-time Jewish Life Associate.

Work Setting/Schedule:

• On campus, student facing position.
• The position requires evening and weekend availability.

What You’ll Do

• Leadership and Programing: Oversees leadership of all Jewish services, activities, and holidays.
• Education and Student Leadership Development: Offers direct teaching on relevant and accessible Jewish learning as well as training and advising for student leadership of Bucknell Hillel (and other relevant student leaders).
• Public Representation and Community Engagement: Offers a visible public presence, in particular through campus ceremonies, vigils, committee memberships, training, and public speaking, with students at the center of the work, but regularly serving faculty, staff, alumni, parents and prospective students.
• Collaboration and Leadership: Collaborates on and leads Multi-Faith Initiatives with campus chaplains.
• Pastoral Care and Counseling: Provides high-quality pastoral care and counseling.
• Resource and Facility Management: Oversees a generous programmatic endowment as well as the Berelson Center for Jewish Life - a community space on campus that offers a comfortable home for Jewish Life and Learning, including a Kosher kitchen.
• Personnel Management and Supervision: Supervisory responsibility providing day to day guidance, setting clear performance expectations, conducting regular performance evaluations, one-on-one meetings, and fostering a collaborative and positive work environment.  
• Non Essential Functions: The job description's listed responsibilities and tasks are not exhaustive, additional non-essential tasks and responsibilities may be assigned as needed. 

What You’ll Bring to the Job

Required:

• Education: Masters Degree and Rabbinic Ordination OR pathway to graduation by July 1, 2026. 
• Professional Certification or License: Rabbinic Ordination (or pathway to ordination by July 1, 2026); 1 Unit of Clinical Pastoral Education.
• Knowledge Areas and Skills: Demonstrated ability to advise and mentor students; Strong knowledge of Judaism and Jewish life, and commitment to creating an inclusive, vibrant and pluralistic Jewish community; Experience working with young adults in an educational or inter-religious setting; Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion; Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; Ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships, and build consensus and support; Ability to effectively interface with a wide variety of constituents including students, faculty, staff, prospective students and alumni; Sensitivity to issues related to socioeconomic class, gender identity and expression, sexuality, race and ethnicity, privilege and power relationships, religious identity, and transitions to adulthood; A passion for engaging students through Jewish learning and religious practice and an ability to foster intellectual, spiritual and ethical curiosity and exploration.

Preferred, but not required:

• Professional Work Experience: Professional experience in Jewish Life in Higher Education; Student leadership applicable mentoring young adults via Jewish Programming, education, or experiential learning.
• Knowledge Areas an