Operations & Communications Manager (Part-time, Hybrid)

Job Summary

Kol Ami, the Northern Virginia Jewish Reconstructionist Community, seeks a self-directed individual to work independently across multiple areas of responsibility for a half-time position as our Operations and Communications Manager (OCM). The OCM is responsible for the day-to-day operations and communications of the synagogue and serves as a focal point of contact for members, prospective members, and the Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington, VA (UUCA) where we meet.1 They interact routinely with our Rabbi, President, host facility, and the volunteer leaders of our small, but growing progressive congregation.

Qualified candidates living in or around Northern Virginia should submit a letter of interest and resume to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This position is not fully remote, seeking candidates in and around Northern Virginia.

Operations Responsibilities

• Planning: In consultation with the Rabbi and President, the OCM proactively manages the congregational calendar and website, anticipates and plans for upcoming services and events, and interacts with committee chairs and host volunteers. The OCM develops a master calendar each year, regularly revising it and incorporating it into the website and UUCA calendars.  
• UUCA/Facility Management: The OCM is the primary point of contact with the UUCA, handling all room reservation and setup requests. The OCM will work with Kol Ami volunteers to maintain the congregation’s storage closet and order needed supplies. The OCM will be the point of contact for facility, parking, and emergency issues.
• Holiday and Event Support: During High Holiday services, the OCM is present at the UUCA and may be working more than half-time to support the congregation at this critical time of year. They will troubleshoot and solve logistical problems as they arise, assist with checking people in, and help ensure these events are welcoming for members and guests. The OCM will attend and proactively support our annual meeting and other holidays and events as needed. 
• Audio/Visual Technology Support: The OCM will train, and develop documentation for, Kol Ami members’ in the use of Zoom and audio visual equipment for recording and broadcasting services and programs. The OCM will maintain Kol Ami’s Facebook page and private YouTube channels and transfer recordings to YouTube in a timely fashion. The OCM also handles livestreaming requests with the UUCA.
• Additional Duties: The OCM will periodically assist in fundraising efforts, creating fundraising materials, publicizing fundraising events, tracking donations and assisting in other ways. The OCM will periodically support the school coordinators and teachers, preparing rosters of students and emergency contact information, arranging and publicizing the annual open house, preparing brochures, and helping to coordinate field trips. The OCM may also assist Kol Ami’s Treasurer in reconciling income and expenses, performing end-of-month bank statement reconciliation using QuickBooks, and updating Breeze information as required. 

Communications Responsibilities

• General Communications: The OCM handles in-reach and out-reach communications including newsletters, urgent notices, and responds to external inquiries. The OCM writes copy, creates graphics, and keeps the website fresh and responsive. The OCM periodically assesses the congregation’s communications modalities and offers suggestions for improvements. The OCM keeps track of events and programs in the Jewish community that would be of special interest to Kol Ami, and includes them in the newsletter. 

• Publicity: The OCM proposes and executes publicity plans for upcoming events, including ads and ad campaigns, social media posts, notices, and budgets. The OCM seeks out new venues for publicity and maintains active contact with local publications including the Washington Jewish Week and ARLnow. 

• Membership: The OCM timely monitors and responds to telephone and email messages from membership, referring them to others as appropriate. The OCM supports members who need help with technology, dues, communications, etc. The OCM sends out welcome letters to new members and thank yous to donors, updates the membership software (Breeze), and maintains an updated membership and outreach directory. 

Requirements

• Live in or near the Northern Virginia area.
• Previous related experience. 
• Able to work well with leadership and congregation members in a team environment.
• Proactive, responsible, detail-oriented, well organized, and flexible.
• Self-directed, independent, and comfortable working remotely most of the time. 
• Excellent time management while covering multiple areas of responsibility.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Adept at Word, Excel, Zoom, Wordpress, Canva and Constant Contact or equivalent software.
• Experience setting up and operating audio and video equipment for Zoom.
• Ability to maintain Facebook and private YouTube channels.
• Dependable internet and transportation access in the Northern Virginia area.

Preferred Qualifications

• An Associate or Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience in a similar position with a religious or spiritual organization.
• Experience with membership software, such as Breeze or ShulCloud.
• Experience with QuickBooks or other accounting/financial management software.

Salary and Schedule

• This position pays $30/hour.
• The typical work week is about 20 hours, with more during High Holidays and some other events. 
• One to two regular weekly meetings, otherwise weekly work schedules are at your discretion as long as all responsibilities and deadlines are met.
• Kol Ami, the Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Community, is an equal opportunity employer. 

Location and Travel

• Most work will be performed remotely in or near Arlington, Virginia
• Intermittent work at Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington, VA.
• Intermittent work at public parks or other venues in and around Arlington, VA.
• Little to no travel outside the Arlington, VA area.

About Kol Ami

Kol Ami, the Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Community, is a progressive synagogue of approximately 90 member units located in Arlington, Virginia with an exceptionally strong focus on ensuring everyone is welcome and included.  

1 The Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington is located at 4444 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22204.