Outreach Educator

The Outreach Educator for the Center for Jewish Studies (CJS) is a new position intended to advance the goal of fulfilling the educational mission of the Center for Jewish Studies as broadly as possible. The Center for Jewish Studies is the intellectual, instructional, and programmatic home for Jewish Studies at the University of Minnesota, functioning as a research hub that also offers an undergraduate curriculum (major and minor in Jewish Studies). As a complement to the CJS Community Lecture Series, now in its 24th year, the Outreach Educator will be responsible for taking the education CJS provides about a broad range of topics, including Jewish history and cultures, the complexity and multiplicity of Jewish identities, the history of antisemitism and its contemporary manifestations, and the history of Israel-Palestine and of Zionisms, out of the classroom and into the campus and broader communities. The Outreach Educator will be responsible for creating and delivering educational programming, responding to existing demand while also engaging in outreach to create new audiences, and serving as a resource for donor relations and development.

The Outreach Educator is a full-time, 10 month, term-limited position reporting to the Director of the Center for Jewish Studies, with possibility of renewal. The position offers flexibility to work remotely on days when an on-campus presence is not required. The on-campus office location is 216 Pillsbury Dr. on the Twin Cities East Bank. Travel to off-campus locations is required, including occasionally on evenings and weekends.

Primary Responsibilities:

Educational Programming Creation and Delivery (60%)

• Creating and delivering educational programming for campus student groups, both Jewish and non-Jewish.
• Creating and delivering educational programming for campus educational and administrative units (Colleges and professional programs, Office of Equity and Diversity, student services, first-year programming, leadership teams, etc).
• Providing guest lectures to courses, chiefly outside of Jewish Studies.
• Creating and delivering educational programming to off-campus groups and organizations such as churches, synagogues, other religious organizations, civic and community groups inside and outside the Jewish community, regional colleges and universities, and governmental bodies.
• As appropriate and in collaboration with the CJS Director, recruiting CJS members to deliver occasional programming in their areas of expertise.

Outreach to New Audiences (10%)

• Identifying potential audiences for CJS outreach programming.
• Contacting potential audiences to ascertain interest in CJS outreach programming.
• Coordinating and scheduling educational program delivery according to established CJS priorities and timelines.

Consultation Resource (10%)

• Serving as an on-demand educational resource informed by scholarship to the campus community, including students, faculty and staff, and administrators.
• Serving as an on-demand educational resource informed by scholarship to the off-campus community, including regional colleges and universities, as well as responding to media inquiries as appropriate.

Donor Engagement (15%)

• Providing guidance and support on donor relations, messaging, and education, as assigned by CJS leadership.
• Educating UMN Foundation, College of Liberal Arts, and University of Minnesota professionals about the field of Jewish studies, Jewish community sensitivities, campus climate issues, and the complex narratives attached to Jewish history, culture, identity, and experience.

Tracking and Documenting Engagement and Outcomes (5%)

• Creating monthly reports tracking educational outreach activities and audiences.
• Creating and administering outcomes assessments as appropriate to facilitate reporting on programming efficacy and outcomes.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree plus at least four years of related experience teaching in the field of Jewish Studies to college and adult audiences or a combination of education and related work experience to equal at least eight years
• Demonstrated experience developing educational programming for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience teaching about and discussing controversial issues, including to potentially resistant audiences.
• Two years cumulative experience creating and delivering outreach programming.
• Two years cumulative experience engaging with donors and potential donors to academic Jewish Studies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Evidence of on-campus and community relationships to enable rapid development and deployment of educational programming.
• Intermediate knowledge of Modern Hebrew.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD and substantial experience teaching in the field of Jewish Studies.
• Demonstrated ability to teach about Jewish history over the last two millennia.
• Demonstrated experience delivering educational programming about antisemitism and its history.
• Demonstrated experience delivering educational programming about Israel-Palestine and the history of Zionist thought.
• Demonstrated history of engagement with on-campus and off-campus units and organizations seeking to learn about the above topics.
• Demonstrated engagement with campus leadership, units, and organizations seeking to improve campus climate, equity, and inclusion.
• At least five years experience in fundraising for academic Jewish studies.
• Advanced knowledge of Modern Hebrew and the ability to engage with Israeli media as a cultural translator.

The Center for Jewish Studies is a premier center for scholarship, education, and dialogue about Jewish history and culture. With 21 faculty and affiliate members, the Center is an intellectual hub for scholars from diverse fields. Home to an undergraduate program in Jewish studies, the Center sponsors classes and conferences, supports emerging scholars, partners with the community on learning and cultural activities, and brings to the community outstanding scholarship in the field of Jewish studies. The Center for Jewish Studies is dedicated to exploring the important questions about Jewish history and culture from antiquity to the modern age, in fulfillment of its mission: to foster a new understanding of Jewish culture and history while also fulfilling the educational mission of the liberal arts to promote critical thought, reflection on values, and analysis of sources.

Pay Range: $72,727 - $81,818; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

All applications must include the documents listed below. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• CV
• Cover letter that addresses your teaching and outreach experience and philosophy, your experience providing educational programming about Jewish studies to diverse audiences, and your understanding of the impact of such programming.
• Names and contact information for three references

Deadline for applications is 11:59 PM on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.