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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Public Programs and Visitor Center Manager

The Yiddish Book Center seeks a motivated and experienced full-time Public Programs and Visitor Service Manager to manage and provide administrative and technical support for public programs and visitor services.  

This position reports to the Yiddish Book Center’s Director of Publishing and Public Programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Engage with visitors as public-facing representative of the Center.  
  • Train and manage docents 
  • Manage public and group tours 
  • Manage space rentals from inquiries to day-of-event management. 
  • Manage administration and technical production of public programming (virtual and onsite) and coordinate logistics with presenters  
  • Maintain public recording archive  
  • Record and edit podcasts and post to RSS feed  
  • Post events page on Center’s website  
  • Manage and maintain public program and visitor services spreadsheets/databases  
  • Create and send eblast for weekly programs and other related e-communications  
  • Respond to phone and email inquiries related to public programs and visitor inquiries  
  • Assist registrants with technical questions related to public programs
  • Other duties as required  

Qualifications:

  • Technical facility   
  • Excellent writing and verbal communication skills  
  • Highly collaborative style and the ability to work with staff, volunteers, and the general public 
  • The ability to multi-task while meeting deadlines
  • Intellectual curiosity and depth necessary to understand and communicate the Center’s mission and programs 
  • Weekend and evening work required - Sunday-Thursday schedule when Center is open to the public. Some evenings for on-site and virtual programs and rental events. 
  • Bachelor’s degree required 
  • Familiarity with Drupal, Zoom, and CRMs a plus.  

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:

Qualified individuals can send their resume with cover letter to the attention of the Public Programs and Publishing Director to [email protected].
 

 

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. 

 

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].

The Yiddish Book Center is an equal opportunity employer.