Jobs at JTS

The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) is committed to providing a pleasant and rewarding work environment for staff and faculty, one that fosters cooperation and mutual respect. All positions listed below are currently open.

If you are interested in one of these positions, please send your resume and cover letter to HR at jtsaresumes@jtsa.edu with the job title in the subject line. In the body of the email, please mention that you found the job on our website.

It is JTS policy that all applicants for employment are afforded equal opportunities for employment, without regard to race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, uniformed service or military status, any lawful source of income, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, or any other legally prohibited status, or any other factors as prohibited by law.

To Apply:

Please email your resume and cover letter to jtsaresumes@jtsa.edu.

Open Positions

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DRL Program Manager and Executive Assistant

Location: New York, New York
Full-time (9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Can substitute some Friday hours with agreement with DRL leadership team)
Salary: $65,000 per year

Description of the Position:

The Program Manager/Executive Assistant is a multi-faceted administrative role supporting the top-level leadership of the Division of Religious Leadership (DRL), which includes JTS’ Rabbinical and Cantorial Schools. The Program Manager/Executive Assistant will be an integral member of the DRL professional team, in certain instances functioning as a “Chief of Staff” for the Dean, and will be a warm, friendly, and accessible professional presence for rabbinical and cantorial students at JTS.

We are seeking a Program Manager/Executive Assistant to join our collaborative, generous, and hardworking DRL team, who will approach the work of training clergy with a sense of purpose, a sense of humor, and striving for excellence. This position offers an opportunity to expand and build on project management and production skills, to think creatively, and to utilize organizational skills, all while helping create an environment that is joyful and efficient, working as part of a team of clergy who highly value respect and kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supporting the Work and Mission of the Division of Religious Leadership:

  • Provide administrative support to the Dean, Associate Dean of the Rabbinical School, and Director of the Cantorial School.
  • Organize meetings of DRL professional staff, advisory boards, and committees.
  • Process invoices, expense requests, contracts with external vendors, check requests.
  • Respond to questions and requests for information from students and the community, and welcome visitors.
  • Primary interface with other JTS departments, including facilities, budgeting, accounting, development, and communications.
  • Manage DRL calendars.
  • Coordinate DRL Leadership involvement in admissions and recruitment process.
  • Support Beit Midrash Programming for DRL students.
  • Edit and manage DRL communications, including weekly “Tachlis and Torah” e− newsletter, grant proposals and reports.
  • Register guests with security.
  • Serve as the CEO of making the DRL office a warm yet professional space.

Event Planning and Production:

  • All aspects of event planning and production for internal and public facing special programs and events, e.g., student orientation, mini−mesters, low residency Mekhinah intensives, conferences, Cantorial School concerts, speakers, Purim.

Data and Budget Management:

  • Administer budgets of programs and grants, including tracking expenditures, spending projections, soliciting information from program heads.
  • Gather data for and draft internal and external reports, including grants.
  • Tracking and maintenance of student records, including advising, awards and fellowships, internships, placements, senior sermons and nusach presentations.
  • Track the award of stipends and approved reimbursements for DRL programs.
  • Proactively use available technology to streamline operations and increase efficiency.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • Minimum 3 years experience in an administrative assistant role.
  • Technologically savvy, including high proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Zoom, and eager to master additional programs used by JTS.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Superb attention to detail; able to manage multiple complex tasks.
  • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Proven ability to thrive in a dynamic, high energy environment.
  • Track record of demonstrating sound judgement by making appropriate decisions and knowing when to take initiative and when to elevate problems.
  • Capable of working independently as well as collaboratively.
  • Flexible work style with the ability to work under tight deadlines and with shifting priorities.
  • Ability to handle sensitive information with utmost discretion.
  • Sense of humor.
  • Warm, patient, generous and kind in interactions with students, colleagues, and lay leaders; mindful of appropriate correspondence tone with key stakeholders.
  • Some knowledge of Judaism preferred but not required.

This position reports to the Dean of the Division of Religious Leadership.

Cataloguer

Location: New York, New York
Full-time
Salary: $55,000 per year

The Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary, the preeminent collection of Judaica and Hebraica in the Western Hemisphere is seeking a full-time Cataloger.

Description of the Position:

Original and copy cataloging of new materials in multiple formats, as well as legacy materials which may be rare and unique

Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Performs original and copy cataloging including descriptive cataloging, subject cataloging, for printed, audio-visual and music materials in various languages.
  • Working with materials in English, Hebrew and European Languages (in Latin characters) with an emphasis on German and French.
  • Working in OCLC WorldShare Record Manager and ExLibris Alma and Alma-D.
  • Applies current national and institutional library cataloging rules, standards, and practices, and utilizes the full range of cataloging tools to make comprehensive cataloging information available to libraries and library users worldwide.
  • Applies national library cataloging and metadata standards including MARC 21, RDA, and LCSH.
  • Performs authority control and maintenance on metadata records associated with materials.
  • Reports cataloging statistics.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in Library Science from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program.
  • Reading knowledge of at least one non-English European language, Hebrew or Yiddish.
  • Background in Jewish studies.
  • At least one years of experience with library cataloging.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of current bibliographic cataloging rules and metadata standards using RDA, LCSH and MARC 21.
  • Working knowledge of OCLC cataloging utilities and working with ExLibris Alma and Alma-D.
  • Strong organizational skills demonstrated by the ability to plan and execute multiple tasks and projects independently.
  • Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment and discretion.
  • Record of flexibility and constructive teamwork.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to embrace and implement new technologies and innovative organizational practices.
  • Time management skills, attention to detail, and multitasking to meet project benchmarks.
  • Maintains flexibility amid new information and adapts to changing priorities to carry out duties.

Please submit resume and cover letter to hrdept@jtsa.edu by July 31, 2024.

Senior Mechanic

Location: New York, New York
Full Time (40 hours per week)
Salary: $22.50 per hour

Description of the Position:

The Senior “A” Mechanic is primarily responsible for providing maintenance support to the JTS
community. Must have knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire systems. Must
possess and maintain certificates of fitness in low pressure boiler, standpipe/sprinkler, and air
compressor operation. Must have competence in safe use of hand and power tools. Must have
over 10 years of experience in the field and/or training with a Professional Trade School.

Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Follows verbal and written instructions and guidelines as required by Maintenance supervisory staff or Director of Operations.
  • Prepares or assists in preparation for events, including equipment setup, as required.
  • Is able to lift a minimum weight of 40 pounds.
  • Reports to the Maintenance Manager any violations relating to health or safety issues in the institution as a whole, including offices, classrooms, event spaces, and student living areas.
  • Has working knowledge of New York City codes and advanced principles regarding electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and heating/ventilation/air (HVAC) practices and building boilers, including troubleshooting methods.
  • Maintains building mechanical equipment in order to preserve a safe environment and is able to assist and cover for the Chief Mechanic regarding all mechanical systems to insure proper operation and comfortable space temperatures.
  • Performs preventative maintenance on all mechanical equipment.
  • Assists in snow removal as required by Maintenance supervisory staff.
  • Responds to emergency-related situations during off hours on an on-call basis as required by Maintenance supervisory staff.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned by Maintenance supervisory staff.
  • Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
  • Contributes to team effort.

Minimum Requirements

  • Must have knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fire systems.
  • Must possess and maintain certificates of fitness in low pressure boiler, standpipe/sprinkler, andair compressor operation.
  • Must have competence in safe use of hand and power tools.
  • Must have over 10 years of experience in the field and/or training with a Professional TradeSchool.

Chief Mechanic

Location: New York, New York
Position Status: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Pay Rate: $21.25 per hour

Description of the Position:

The Chief Mechanic is primarily responsible for providing maintenance support to the JTS
community. Must possess and maintain certificates of fitness in low pressure boiler,
standpipe/sprinkler, and air compressor operation and NYC refrigeration certification. Must
have experience working with all aspects of HVAC systems. Must have competence in safe use
of hand and power tools, electrical, plumbing, fire safety systems, and mechanical systems with
at least 10 years of experience in the field and/or training with a Professional Trade School.

Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Follows verbal and written instructions and guidelines as required by Maintenance supervisory staff or Director of Operations.
  • Responsible for a.m. checks each day of all mechanical systems to insure proper operation and comfortable space temperatures prior to the school being open and throughout the day.
  • Responsible to make sure that the building’s fire alarm system is operational each day, and to perform weekly and monthly checks as per NFPA codes.
  • Prepares or assists in preparation for events, including equipment setup, as required by Maintenance supervisory staff.
  • Is able to lift a minimum weight of 40 pounds.
  • Reports to the Maintenance Manager any violations relating to health or safety issues in the institution as a whole, including offices, classrooms, event spaces, and student living areas.
  • Has working knowledge of New York City codes and advanced principles regarding electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and heating/ventilation/air (HVAC) practices.
  • Maintains building mechanical equipment in order to preserve a safe environment.
  • Performs preventative maintenance on all mechanical equipment.
  • Must be able to work with automated building maintenance systems (BMS).
  • Responsible for taking and recording HVAC systems chemical readings.
  • Assists in snow removal as required by Maintenance supervisory staff.
  • Responds to emergency-related situations during off hours on an on-call basis as required by Maintenance supervisory staff.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned by Maintenance supervisory staff or Director of Operations.

Minimum Requirements

  • Must possess and maintain certificates of fitness in low pressure boiler, standpipe/sprinkler, and
    air compressor operation.
  • Must have experience working with all aspects of HVAC systems.
  • Must have competence in safe use of hand and power tools, electrical, plumbing, fire safety,
    systems, and mechanical systems with at least 10 years of experience in the field and/or
    training with a Professional Trade School.

Security Officer

Location: New York, New York
Position Status: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Pay Rate: $17.75 per hour

Description of the Position:

The Jewish Theological Seminary is currently searching for a Security Officer to work in our
Security Department. This position requires various Sunday through Saturday shifts for a
minimum of 40 hours per week, with occasional overtime and holiday work as assigned. The
Security Officer reports to the Captain.

The Security Officer is primarily responsible for safeguarding the life and property of the
University community. Qualified candidates must have NY state certification, must possess 8-
hour and 16-hour training certificates, and will be responsible for maintaining 8-hour annual
training re-certification

Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Provides the Seminary community, as well as visitors, with a high level of security while maintaining a courteous and professional demeanor.
  • Able to stand on post for extended periods of time.
  • Possesses good written and verbal skills.
  • Ensures 100% access control, utilizing standing procedures and protocol.
  • Monitors and maintains visual surveillance of all security-related equipment.
  • Maintains accurate logbook and personal memo book entries as relates to occurrences
    and incidents
  • Responds to emergency situations, including cases requiring first aid.
  • Regularly patrols premises to ensure safety and security.
  • Reports all unsafe and/or dangerous conditions detected during patrols to Security
    supervisory staff and to the Office of Facilities Management in a timely manner.
  • Reports all issues related to maintenance concerns to Maintenance supervisory staff in a timely manner.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

  • Dental Insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Parental leave
  • Vision insurance

Schedule

  • Holidays
  • Monday to Friday
  • Overtime
  • Weekends as needed

About JTS 

The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) was founded in 1886. Its mission was to preserve the knowledge and practice of historical Judaism.  Since then, JTS has greatly expanded its mission, creating a beautiful campus and evolving into the prestigious center of Jewish learning it is today. A Jewish university with a world-class faculty and a diverse student body, JTS grants undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees through its five schools and offers enriching programs for the Jewish community in the United States, Israel, and around the world. 

JTS schools and facilities include the Gershon Kekst Graduate School; The Rabbinical School; H. L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music; William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education; Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies; several research institutes; lay leadership and professional institutes; community education programs; and the incomparable collections of JTS’s world-renowned Library. 

Over the past year, JTS has embarked on a strategic plan. One of the pillars of the strategic plan adopted is the intention to broaden and strengthen JTS’s historic role as the convenor of multi-disciplinary conversations and studies on matters of crucial concern not only to the Jewish world but beyond it as well.  And the plan lays great emphasis on the importance of disseminating the ideas generated in these convenings to many different audiences in many different forms.  This historic role goes back at least 80 years, to the Institute for Religious and Social Studies and the Conference on Science, Philosophy, and Religion, both of which mobilized scholars, religious leaders, government officials, and journalists to collaborate on tackling issues of the day, among them the value of democracy (in the face of the risen totalitarianism in that time), the role of ritual and symbolism in society, equity in education, and many others.