J Street Hiring Associate Regional Director for the South (DC)

[Emily Koppel]

Position:            Associate Regional Director for the South

Reports to:        Capital Region and South Regional Director

Location:           Washington D.C.

 

Position

 

The Associate Regional Director (ARD) for the South is an effective political organizer, committed to J Street’s mission to build and demonstrate broad-based support for pro-Israel, pro-peace policy in national politics and in the American Jewish community.

 

The ARD is part of a dynamic team of professionals around the country, whose primary goal is cultivating and organizing local leaders in their regions who can exercise influence and develop relationships in Congress, national politics and the Jewish community.

 

This position is an outstanding opportunity for a talented, motivated individual to lead regional advocacy efforts for an organization whose influence and reach are growing enormously year to year.   

 

Organization

 

J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans working for the future of Israel as the democratic homeland of the Jewish people. The organization believes that preserving Israel’s Jewish and democratic character depends on achieving a two-state solution, resulting in a Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace and security.

 

Launched in 2008 with four staff and a limited budget, J Street is now a $7 million organization with a national staff of more than 50. The organization is headquartered in Washington, DC, employing staff in 8 cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Tel Aviv. The New York office is the largest regional office, housing both regional and national staff.

 

J Street focuses its work in three main areas: (1) Advocating and demonstrating support for pro-Israel, pro-peace policies in Congress, the media and the Jewish community; (2) Endorsing and raising money for federal candidates who share J Street’s agenda; and (3) Educating the public and raising awareness of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the two-state solution.

 

The J Street family of organizations is comprised of:

 

J Street, a 501(c)(4) organization and registered lobby that seeks to complement the work of existing organizations and individuals that share J Street’s agenda through lobbying and advocacy efforts.

 

JStreetPAC, the largest pro-Israel political action committee in the U.S. and the first PAC formed to endorse and raise money for federal candidates who champion pro-Israel, pro-peace policies, including a two-state solution. In 2012, JStreetPAC distributed a record high of $1.8 million to 71 endorsed candidates which led to 70 electoral victories.

 

The J Street Education Fund (JSEF), a legally independent 501(c)(3) organization that works to open up the conversation on Israel in the American Jewish community, educate Americans and elected officials about the urgent need for a two-state solution, and organize Americans in support of active U.S. leadership to achieve this objective. JSEF’s operations include its national field, J Street U, rabbinic and educational programs.

 

The J Street national field program launched in February 2010 to amplify and organize around J Street’s mission at the community level and to build our national political movement through local action and outreach. The field team currently includes 11 staff led by the Director of Regional Strategy and Operations.

 

Responsibilities

 

Specifically, the Associate Regional Director for the South is responsible for:

 

●     Identifying and developing leaders in key cities and states in the region who will drive J Street’s advocacy and political work.

●        Developing an advocacy plan for the region, aimed at growing support in the Senate and House for J Street’s policy positions by demonstrating extensive support for those positions in the representative’s state and/or district and developing relationships with Members of Congress and their staff.

●     Creating and supporting networks of advocates in targeted states and districts through leadership recruitment, training, and cultivation in order to build organizational strength and capacity.

●     Engaging in key elections for the Senate and House throughout the region to ensure that candidates for office understand J Street’s positions on American foreign policy and are exposed to support for those positions in their states and districts.

●     Managing strategic events including visits by J Street national staff and external speakers

●     Building and facilitating relationships between J Street and key community contacts, including rabbis, synagogue representatives, Jewish institutional leaders, Jewish community professionals, political influencers, and activists.

●     Speaking publicly  on behalf of J Street and organizing strong local representation in public forums and in the media

●     Engaging donors in our advocacy work,  and supporting fundraising efforts in coordination with development staff

●     Keeping and maintaining Southern regional data so it is accurate and current

●     Performing other duties in support of the Southern region and national colleagues in the regions as needed

 

The Southern region includes Kentucky, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama.

 

Required and Desired Skills and Characteristics

 

Applicants should have a demonstrated track record in the following required skills and characteristics:

●     A strong commitment to J Street’s mission, including:

○     Support for a secure, Jewish and democratic future for Israel, and

○     Advocating an active U.S. leadership role to help achieve a two-state solution

●     A savvy approach to politics, including an understanding of how to generate influence with Members of Congress and candidates for federal office

●     Experience in community or political organizing

●     The ability to clearly communicate J Street’s positions and policies

●     An outgoing and positive attitude

●     Great communication skills – written and verbal

●     Highly organized, detail oriented, able to prioritize multiple tasks and work independently as well as in teams

●     Personally engaging and eager to work with leaders and staff, able to build and cultivate relationships with a broad ranges of activists, leaders, and community contacts

●     Comfort with technology and online communications

●     Willingness to travel regionally and holding a valid driver’s license

 

Additional desired qualifications include:

●     Some familiarity with North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and their congressional delegations.

●     Prior work in the Jewish community a plus but not required

●     Event management experience

●     Comfort with data management

●     A strong background on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and understanding of how the conflict plays out in American politics

 

Compensation and Hours

 

Salary for this full-time position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Hours and duties may fluctuate based on J Street event and staff travel schedules. Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, paid time off on federal and Jewish holidays, health and dental insurance, company paid life insurance, 401k and flexible spending account. 

 

To Apply for the Position

 

Interested candidates should submit by e-mail: 1) cover letter that explains why you are interested and qualified; 2) resume; and 3) list of three references to res...@jstreet.org and indicate “Southern Regional Field Director” in the subject line. 

 

J Street is an Equal Opportunity Employer.