Employment

The Yiddish Book Center offers meaningful and challenging positions, a warm, friendly atmosphere, competitive salaries, and excellent benefits. We are seeking applicants for the following positions (see details below):​

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Communications Manager

The Yiddish Book Center is currently seeking a Communications Manager to manage and support areas of content curation and creation, social media, media outreach, and project coordination. This position reports to the director of communications and marketing. The Center offers meaningful and challenging positions, a warm, friendly atmosphere, competitive salaries, and excellent benefits. This is a full-time position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Social Media/Digital Platforms

  • Generate, curate, and publish content across digital platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
  • Work with director of communications and other staff to create, execute, and support social media and digital strategies
  • Synthesize and issue monthly progress reports and recommendations on social media strategies
  • Stay current on social media and SEO software, trends, and opportunities

Editorial

  • Research, draft, and publish content for website
  • Copyedit communiqués and descriptions across departments
  • Serve as project coordinator for various communications projects
  • Draft content and manage production for story-focused publications

Media Relations

  • Develop and maintain targeted media lists for outreach
  • Assist with drafting of press releases, pitches, editorials, and related copy
  • Participate in media monitoring; review editorial calendars and share timely topics
  • Arrange meetings with sources, interviewees, and journalists

Marketing and Public Relations

  • Oversee event announcements in national, regional, and local calendar listings
  • Create and maintain vetted story and photo banks
  • Liaise with vendors including designers, printers, photographers
  • Assist with broad array of requests and permissions

Provide additional support as needed for all of the above sections

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIREMENTS

  • Minimum of 3 years paid professional experience in a deadline-driven communications, educational, or related position
  • Superior writing, copyediting, and proofing skills; deep familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style protocol
  • Experience managing a vibrant and active social media program and organizational website
  • Experience drafting and issuing press materials and some pitches
  • Meticulous attention to detail; strong organizational skills
  • Ability to work in a team environment, one on one, and independently
  • Occasional after hours work to meet press deadlines

PREFERRED

  • An affinity for the field of communications and marketing
  • Familiarity with Jewish and/or Yiddish culture
  • Sense of humor and flexibility
  • Strong appreciation for and commitment to the Center’s mission, values, and goals

TO APPLY

Please e-mail cover letter, resume and three references in a single PDF document to [email protected] Please also include links to relevant writing samples. Only candidates being considered will be contacted.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT 
The position requires working at desk and using a computer for prolonged periods of time. The position also requires standing, walking, bending, climbing, and reaching. Work will usually be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. 

The Yiddish Book Center is an equal opportunity employer.

 

 

Translation and Education Program Manager

The Yiddish Book Center seeks an experienced program manager to provide logistical and strategic direction for an expanding portfolio of education and translation projects.

The Program Manager works collaboratively with the Director of Education Administration and the Academic Director to ensure proper program planning, structure, and support for the successful implementation of initiatives, programs, and events. This is a full-time position with occasional evening and weekend work.

Translation mananagement duties include:

  • Overseeing all aspects of the translation fellowship program, including call for applications, fellowship selection, selection of mentors and workshop leaders, organization of fellowship weekend workshops and workshop logistics, communication with fellows, mentors and workshop leaders, management of the payment of grants and stipends and the overall fellowship program budget
  • Organizing translation fellow workshops including contracting workshop leaders; managing logistical arrangements (housing, travel, catering); and designing workshop schedules
  • Working as Managing Editor for the on-line translation issue of Pakn Treger and other translations published by the Yiddish Book Center
  • Participating in and supporting the network of Yiddish translation fellowship alumni
  • Identifying and supporting efforts to disseminate and promote Yiddish literature in translation
  • Working on other related projects as appropriate

Education program management duties include:

  • Planning of select education programs, events, and resources for educators
  • Managing program budgets
  • Consulting in marketing and publicity
  • Planning and organizing participant selection process
  • Overseeing logistical arrangements including travel, housing, catering for participants, lecturers, faculty, and others
  • Serving as contact and support for participants, lecturers, faculty, and others prior to and during programs
  • Ordering and preparing course packs, books, or other materials for participant
  • Fostering alumni connections and engaging the educator alumni cohorts in follow up initiatives including the use of online assets
  • Assisting with other programs and activities as required 

Qualifications

Required:

  • BA
  •  3+ years work experience
  • Excellent organizational and logistical ability
  • Attention to detail and time management skills
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
  • Strong writing and interpersonal communication skills

Preferred:

  • Background in Yiddish literature and culture with a strong command of written and spoken Yiddish
  • Experience with literary translation
  • Project or Program management experience
  • Sense of humor, entrepreneurial spirit, and flexibility
  • Strong appreciation for and commitment to the Center’s mission, values, and goals

To Apply:

Send résumé, cover letter, and names and contact information for three references to: Gretchen Fiordalice, Director of Education Administration
[email protected]

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT 
The position requires working at desk and using a computer for prolonged periods of time. The position also requires standing, walking, bending, climbing, and reaching. Work will usually be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. 

The Yiddish Book Center is an equal opportunity employer.

 

Wexler Oral History Project Assistant

The Yiddish Book Center seeks a motivated and experienced full-time Project Assistant to provide administrative and communications support for the ongoing collection and curation efforts of its Wexler Oral History Project.

Program Description:

Since 2010, the Yiddish Book Center’s Wexler Oral History Project has recorded more than 1,000 in-depth video interviews that provide a deeper understanding of the Jewish experience and the legacy and changing nature of Yiddish language and culture. The interviews in our growing collection are conducted in English, Yiddish, and other languages with narrators of all ages from a variety of backgrounds and are made publicly accessible on the Yiddish Book Center’s website.

Position Description:

The Wexler Oral History Project’s Assistant provides essential support for the maintenance and growth of the Yiddish Book Center’s collection of in-depth video oral history interviews through:

  • Fielding inquiries from the public about the work of the Project
  • Coordination of oral history interviews and remote fieldwork
  • Curating content from oral history collection for website, social media, and other communications
  • Maintaining databases and files
  • Assist with project outreach, including film distribution
  • Administrative support to Project Director and staff
  • Other tasks as assigned

Competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications:

Required:

  • Commitment to program mission
  • Excellent written and oral communication and organizational skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Excellent time management skills
  • Ability to update and maintain integrated tracking system for a complex workflow and expansive project
  • Ability to work efficiently both independently and as part of a team
  • Flexibility and ability to adapt to a growing project
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, Google apps, and social media platforms

Preferred:

  • Familiarity with modern Jewish history and culture
  • Familiarity with Yiddish language
  • Experience with archives or data systems
  • BA or equivalent

Note: This position is remote due to the pandemic with plans to return on-site in Amherst, MA when deemed safe.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT 
The position requires working at desk and using a computer for prolonged periods of time. The position also requires standing, walking, bending, climbing, and reaching. Work will usually be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. 

To apply:

Send cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references to [email protected].

Museum Assistant (part-time, summer position)

The Yiddish Book Center is seeking a Museum Assistant to assist with general operations and visitor services during our summer visitor season. Responsibilities are varied and include interactions with the public as well as detail-oriented tasks, such as:

  • Greeting the public in our visitor center and taking admissions/donations;
  • Introducing exhibits and answering questions;
  • Supporting the the museum book and giftshop and assisting with orders;
  • Processing admissions and purchases, and running daily reports
  • Member services, including correspondence, phone, and updates in constituent databases
  • General office support.

The Yiddish Book Center is committed to the safety of visitors and staff. A protective screen is provided at the admission desk, and the Center follows masking and social distancing protocols in accordance with the State of Massachusetts COVID guidelines.

This is a part-time, temporary position: June-August (flexible start and end dates)

To apply:
Send cover letter and resume to [email protected].

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT 
The position requires working at desk and using a computer for prolonged periods of time. The position also requires standing, walking, bending, climbing, and reaching. Work will usually be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. 

The Yiddish Book Center is an equal opportunity employer.