Youth Song Leader & Support Educator
Application Deadline: September 6, 2024
Application Deadline:
September 6, 2024
September 6, 2024
At Urban Adamah, we host a variety of youth programming at the farm throughout the year. We are looking for experienced and talented educators to create loving, inspiring, and transformative experiences for young people.
We have two youth programming opportunities that require a song leader - as Urban Adamah prides itself on building connection, community, and spiritual practice through song. When completing the application, you may select both or one of the below programs you would like to be considered for. Priority will be given to song leaders who are interested in engaging with both of our youth education programs.
URBAN ADAMAH ALL YEAR – SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM
Sundays, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
As an All Year Song Leader, you will facilitate and deliver sections of pre-created programming for all chavurah groups, small groups of similar-aged students, in Grades K-5, approximately every-other Sunday. You will support Educators in leading students through inquiry and study of Jewish tradition and ritual and its intersection with sustainable agriculture and caring for the earth.
YOUTH RETREATS – SCHOOLS & GROUPS MULTI-DAY PROGRAM
Variable Dates & Times
As a Youth Retreats Educator & Song Leader, you will facilitate and deliver pre-created programming for youth groups who stay overnight at Urban Adamah. You will have the opportunity to serve as a tour guide on the farm, offer a variety of ways to engage with Judaism and Jewish practice, particularly through music and the arts, and support students in Grades 4-12 to make connections between these practices with one’s relationship to the earth.
We have two youth programming opportunities that require a song leader - as Urban Adamah prides itself on building connection, community, and spiritual practice through song. When completing the application, you may select both or one of the below programs you would like to be considered for. Priority will be given to song leaders who are interested in engaging with both of our youth education programs.
URBAN ADAMAH ALL YEAR – SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM
Sundays, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
As an All Year Song Leader, you will facilitate and deliver sections of pre-created programming for all chavurah groups, small groups of similar-aged students, in Grades K-5, approximately every-other Sunday. You will support Educators in leading students through inquiry and study of Jewish tradition and ritual and its intersection with sustainable agriculture and caring for the earth.
YOUTH RETREATS – SCHOOLS & GROUPS MULTI-DAY PROGRAM
Variable Dates & Times
As a Youth Retreats Educator & Song Leader, you will facilitate and deliver pre-created programming for youth groups who stay overnight at Urban Adamah. You will have the opportunity to serve as a tour guide on the farm, offer a variety of ways to engage with Judaism and Jewish practice, particularly through music and the arts, and support students in Grades 4-12 to make connections between these practices with one’s relationship to the earth.
About The Role
GROUP LEADER & SUPPORT MEMBER
The Song Leader is responsible for leading different groups of 10-15 children through song and Jewish prayer as part of the group’s programming. In addition, the Song Leader shares the responsibility of leading whole-group activities, including beginning-of-day and end-of-day rituals, with Urban Adamah Educators.
PREPARATION & FACILITATION
The Song Leader is responsible for facilitating the teaching of song and prayer as part of the pre-planned curriculum. The Song Leader will:
JEWISH SONG EDUCATION
The Song Leader delivers well-versed content knowledge about topics ranging from earth-based Judaism and Jewish values to Urban Adamah’s role in the greater Berkeley - and world - ecosystem.
SAFETY
All staff ensure that Urban Adamah is a safe environment for children, including physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
The Song Leader is responsible for leading different groups of 10-15 children through song and Jewish prayer as part of the group’s programming. In addition, the Song Leader shares the responsibility of leading whole-group activities, including beginning-of-day and end-of-day rituals, with Urban Adamah Educators.
- The Song Leader helps set the tone of the group through team-building games and maintaining community expectations.
- When not leading a shira (“song”) lesson, the Song Leader is rotating between different groups to provide additional support. Educators may also request the Song Leader to join their chavurah group if specific support is needed.
- The Song Leader approaches group members with care, and emulates joy when leading the group.
- The Song Leader is responsible for upholding standards of safety and respect within the group.
PREPARATION & FACILITATION
The Song Leader is responsible for facilitating the teaching of song and prayer as part of the pre-planned curriculum. The Song Leader will:
- Review pre-written lesson plans and logistics prior to program
- Deliver context and learning of song and/or prayer with enthusiasm, charisma, and clear sense of presence
- Deliver ritual and transition spaces for young people including Opening and Closing Circles
- Provide sense of community and purpose for young people
- Support with setup and cleanup for each program
JEWISH SONG EDUCATION
The Song Leader delivers well-versed content knowledge about topics ranging from earth-based Judaism and Jewish values to Urban Adamah’s role in the greater Berkeley - and world - ecosystem.
- Provide students with an understanding of the ways in which Jewish values align with Urban Adamah’s work on the farm through words, activities, song, and play-based programming.
- Background knowledge in the Hebrew language and Jewish texts to support the teaching of Jewish prayer.
- Plan opportunities for students to recall and rehearse previous teaching(s) to support student learning.
SAFETY
All staff ensure that Urban Adamah is a safe environment for children, including physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
- Staff make sure that all children are accounted for and within the delineated program areas from drop-off to pick-up time.
- Staff keep a birds-eye-view of potential hazards around the farm, help children use tools safely, and are available to administer basic first aid.
About You
You are passionate about Urban Adamah’s mission and have the background and experience to support the youth you lead in their earth-based Jewish educational journey. You are able to hold educational space for young people while building community and seek to inspire growth and enthusiasm for Urban Adamah’s unique educational content and environment.
We are open to applicants with varying levels and types of experience, provided that the applicant displays the skills required to successfully execute the job described above. You might be a good fit if you possess/demonstrate the following.
COMPETENCIES AND STRENGTHS
Educational Background & Leadership:
Communication & Organizational Excellence:
Self-Awareness & Partnership:
Strategy & Problem Solving:
EXPERIENCES THAT COULD LEAD TO YOUR SUCCESS
Not required, but preferred: Has an up-to-date CPR-certification.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE POSITION
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee in this position. Some accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to succeed in the role:
We are open to applicants with varying levels and types of experience, provided that the applicant displays the skills required to successfully execute the job described above. You might be a good fit if you possess/demonstrate the following.
COMPETENCIES AND STRENGTHS
Educational Background & Leadership:
- Play-Based Teaching: You are enthusiastic and enjoy working with young people of all ages in a variety of fun and integrative ways. You have the necessary tools to bring fun into all that you do.
- Building a Community Space: You are comfortable providing clear boundaries with young people while simultaneously providing a space where young people feel comfortable, safe, heard, and understood. You are able to uphold set expectations in a caring and responsive manner, acknowledging that boundaries are developmentally important in providing safety and clarity.
- Facilitation & Leadership: You enjoy, and feel confident in, facilitating groups of people through an experience as a knowledgeable and trustworthy leader. You are comfortable presenting information clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences.
Communication & Organizational Excellence:
- Possess Strong Interpersonal Skills: You can communicate effectively and respectfully with a range of people including young people, their parents, colleagues, and your supervisor(s).
- Proactive Communication: You feel comfortable reaching out to colleagues, and communicating with your supervisor(s), when you need help, ask questions if you are uncertain, and inform colleagues and supervisor(s) pertinent information in advance/at your earliest convenience.
- Collaborative: You enjoy learning from and with talented colleagues, and are excited to be part of the success of the whole organization.
- Excellence in Organization and Preparation: You are highly organized, able to review and retain new lesson plan information in a timely manner, and are detail oriented.
- Tech-Savvy: You are comfortable using Google Drive to locate and review upcoming lessons and other resources part of Urban Adamah’s curriculum.
Self-Awareness & Partnership:
- Ownership: You take broad responsibility for your work and approach tasks and priorities with a critical mindset.
- Openness: You regularly seek and incorporate new information and feedback.
- Balanced: You demonstrate a good balance of self-confidence and humility, able to name and make the most of your strengths, and open to feedback that will lead you to grow and develop as a professional.
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: You value the diversity of insight, perspective, and experience brought by people from diverse backgrounds. You are committed to reflecting on and addressing inequities stemming from privilege and oppression in your community.
Strategy & Problem Solving:
- Planning: You think ahead and can prepare for youth programming in advance, without the need for reminders from your supervisor(s).
- Problem Solver: You maintain a level-head and are solution-oriented. You see problem-solving as an opportunity to connect with and support others and the organization.
EXPERIENCES THAT COULD LEAD TO YOUR SUCCESS
- At least 2 years of experience in either, or both, a traditional educational setting or an unconventional educational setting for students ranging from ages 2–18.
- Experience and comfortability in teaching Jewish practice, ritual, and values.
- Experience and comfortability playing guitar while teaching musical songs.
- Demonstrated ability to read and deliver lesson plans - provided to you in advance.
- Experience in presenting information to audiences clearly, precisely, and with confidence.
- Farming and/or outdoor experiences either as a leader or participant.
- Familiarity with farming techniques, proper care of farm animals, and completing nature-based art activities.
Not required, but preferred: Has an up-to-date CPR-certification.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE POSITION
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee in this position. Some accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to succeed in the role:
- Typing, writing, reading, hearing, and speaking.
- Standing and walking for several hours, as well as sitting, squatting, crawling, climbing, and lifting up to 40 lbs.
Additional Details
DATES, TIMES, & COMPENSATION
This is a temporary hourly position from September 2024 – May 2025. Educators are paid $26–30/hour commensurate with experience.
This temporary hourly position conforms to the legal requirements of such positions; as such it is not bound by overtime pay requirements and does not include any benefits.
Staff Training: September 25 – 27, 2024 | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
URBAN ADAMAH ALL YEAR
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM every-other Sunday
Urban Adamah All Year runs approximately every other Sunday which includes the participant hours (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) as well as set-up, clean-up, and a daily debrief. You will be asked to work Aftercare (1:00 – 2:30 PM) a total of four sessions throughout the school year which includes supervising young people from the hours of 1:00 – 2:00 PM and time to put materials away from 2:00 – 2:30 PM. Staff time includes a 30-minute unpaid lunch break and one hour of paid prep time between each Sunday session for you to read-through the lessons, ask questions, prepare the chords and lyrics to teach students, and ensure your confidence in delivering the upcoming lesson.
The program dates are:
RETREATS
Variable Times & Dates
Example of 2-Day Retreat Educator Schedule:
Retreats are booked far in-advance. You can expect to be given at least two months' notice regarding retreat dates in order for you to check your availability. If able to work all booked retreats, Retreat Educators can expect to work 20 - 30 hours during the academic year (September 2024 - May 2025).
SUPERVISION: Educators are supervised by the Youth Education Programs Manager.
This is a temporary hourly position from September 2024 – May 2025. Educators are paid $26–30/hour commensurate with experience.
This temporary hourly position conforms to the legal requirements of such positions; as such it is not bound by overtime pay requirements and does not include any benefits.
Staff Training: September 25 – 27, 2024 | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
URBAN ADAMAH ALL YEAR
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM every-other Sunday
Urban Adamah All Year runs approximately every other Sunday which includes the participant hours (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) as well as set-up, clean-up, and a daily debrief. You will be asked to work Aftercare (1:00 – 2:30 PM) a total of four sessions throughout the school year which includes supervising young people from the hours of 1:00 – 2:00 PM and time to put materials away from 2:00 – 2:30 PM. Staff time includes a 30-minute unpaid lunch break and one hour of paid prep time between each Sunday session for you to read-through the lessons, ask questions, prepare the chords and lyrics to teach students, and ensure your confidence in delivering the upcoming lesson.
The program dates are:
- Staff “Prep Together”: Sunday, September 29, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Introductory Program for Families: Thursday, October 3, 2024 | 5:00 – 6:30 PM
- Trimester 1: October 6 | October 20 | November 11 | November 17 | December 8
- Trimester 2: January 12 | January 26 | February 9 | February 23
- Trimester 3: March 9 | March 23 | April 6 | April 20 | May 4
RETREATS
Variable Times & Dates
Example of 2-Day Retreat Educator Schedule:
- Day 1: Morning Program 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM & Evening Program 6:30 - 9:00 PM
- Day 2: Morning Program 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Retreats are booked far in-advance. You can expect to be given at least two months' notice regarding retreat dates in order for you to check your availability. If able to work all booked retreats, Retreat Educators can expect to work 20 - 30 hours during the academic year (September 2024 - May 2025).
SUPERVISION: Educators are supervised by the Youth Education Programs Manager.
Application Details
We deeply value the diversity of insight, perspective, and experience brought by people from diverse backgrounds. This includes Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian people, LGBTQ, and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities, Black Jews, Jews of Color, Sephardi and Mizrachi Jews. We also welcome applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds. We affirmatively seek to advance the principles of equal employment opportunity.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION INCLUDES:
Resume, two professional references, and answers to two questions. Bullet pointed lists are welcome as responses to the short questions, if preferred by the applicant (max 200 words for each).
All applications are due by September 6, 2024 and will be considered on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Therefore, we highly recommend applying early. If you have any questions about applying please contact the Educational Programs Director, Rivka Weinstock, at rivka@urbanadamah.org.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION INCLUDES:
Resume, two professional references, and answers to two questions. Bullet pointed lists are welcome as responses to the short questions, if preferred by the applicant (max 200 words for each).
- Please share how you personally relate to Urban Adamah’s mission and why you want to work at Urban Adamah.
- Please describe your experience(s) working with young people aged 4–15 (grades Pre-K to 10) in a musical and/or artistic setting.
All applications are due by September 6, 2024 and will be considered on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Therefore, we highly recommend applying early. If you have any questions about applying please contact the Educational Programs Director, Rivka Weinstock, at rivka@urbanadamah.org.