Job Description

Engagement Associate

Hillel at the University of Vermont

Role Overview

Hillel at the University of Vermont seeks an Engagement Associate to support relationship-based student engagement and build vibrant Jewish life on campus. Reporting to the Director of Student Engagement, the Engagement Associate is a student-centered professional who builds authentic relationships, sparks creativity, and helps students feel supported and connected to Jewish life, learning, and Israel.

This role is ideal for an early-career professional, especially someone with experience in Jewish summer camps, outdoor leadership, athletics, or experiential education, who is energized by working directly with students, building community through shared experiences, and reaching students who may not initially see themselves in traditional Hillel spaces. The Engagement Associate complements the Director’s strategic leadership by translating vision into daily presence, authentic connection, and impactful action. 

Core Competencies 

• Relationship Builder
• Outdoor & Experiential Mindset
• Student-Centered
• Creativity
• Resiliency
• Adaptability
• Community Builder Across Differences

What You’ll Do

Student Engagement & Relationship Building

• Build authentic, ongoing relationships with Jewish students through one-on-one conversations, small group engagement, tabling, and presence at campus events.
• Meet students where they are socially, academically, and geographically across campus, including evenings and weekends, with a particular focus on reaching students involved in athletics, outdoor recreation, Greek life, and other communities not traditionally engaged in Hillel.
• Engage students through shared interests such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, fitness, and outdoor adventure.
• Identify students to engage and help connect them to meaningful Jewish experiences.
• Follow up with students post-engagements to affirm relationships and Hillel connection. 

Program & Initiative Support

• Support the planning, implementation, and execution of Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, immersive experiences, and small- to mid-scale programs.
• Help design and lead experiential, outdoor, and adventure-based Jewish programming (e.g., ski Shabbat, hikes, wellness programs, retreats).
• Collaborate with the Director of Student Engagement, other staff, and student leaders to develop creative initiatives that resonate with diverse student interests, including those less connected to traditional Jewish spaces.
• Assist with logistics, outreach, and follow-up to ensure programs are welcoming, well-run, and impactful. 

Jewish Learning & Identity Development 

• Serve as a positive and accessible Jewish role model, especially for students whose Jewish identity has been shaped by camp, travel, or informal education.
• Engage students in informal conversations about their own relationship to Jewish life, values, learning, and Israel.
• Help create pluralistic Jewish experiences that invite exploration, curiosity, and personal meaning in our UVM community.
• Support students on their individual Jewish journeys in a welcoming and inclusive environment. 

Campus & Community Engagement

• Build relationships and partnerships with campus groups such as the Ski and Snowboard Club, Outing Club, athletic teams, wellness programs, and other student organizations.
• Actively bring Hillel into spaces where students already gather rather than expecting them to come to us.
• Participate in relationship-building efforts across the Hillel International network and with peer professionals. 

Administrative & Team Support

• Track student interactions and program participation using Hillel engagement systems.
• Contribute to team planning, reflection, and assessment conversations.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Hillel’s mission and goals.

What You’ve Accomplished

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Recent college graduates or graduating seniors, typically within 0–3 years of professional experience.
• Experience in Jewish summer camps, outdoor education, athletics, or experiential leadership strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in student engagement, leadership development, and Jewish life.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to connect with a wide range of students.
• Creativity, initiative, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work collaboratively while also taking ownership of projects and relationships.
• Comfort working a flexible schedule that includes evenings, weekends, and Jewish holidays.
• Interest in outdoor recreation, athletics, or wellness culture is strongly preferred.
• A valid driver's license is required for this role. 

What You’ll Receive

• Salary Range: $45,000 – $48,000. This is a full-time, non-exempt position, eligible for overtime in accordance with applicable labor laws.
• Intensive Jewish learning experiences that build knowledge, confidence, and professional skill.
• Mentoring, career coaching, and professional competencies development.
• A network of colleagues across the Hillel movement.
• Domestic and international travel opportunities for training and professional development.
• Professional development funds to support individualized growth.
• Access a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, Life, AD&D and Long Term Disability insurances, Flexible Spending Plan, generous vacation and sick leave, and parental leave. 

About Hillel At UVM

Hillel at UVM was the recipient of Hillel International’s Great Place to Work Award in 2021 for our commitment to our staff’s wellbeing. As an organization we seek to support our employees in living their best lives so they can be their best selves for our students. Because of Hillel, UVM has risen to become one of the “top 20 public schools Jews choose” according to the 2025 Jewish College Guide. We engage students with a design-thinking methodology to discover new ideas and co-create initiatives that make Burlington, Vermont, and the world a better place. The Burack Hillel is located inside the 439 College Street Residence Hall, steps away from the historic campus green. Three floors of the facility also include one floor of UVM residents, which is managed, staffed, and maintained by UVM Residence Life. The Burack Hillel has a fully functional kitchen in addition to separate staff office space and a third floor open floor plan that hosts religious services, meetings, and quiet space for studying.

Candidates will thrive in the role if they are excited by Vermont’s outdoor lifestyle and see it as a core opportunity for engagement. Situated between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, Vermont offers access to skiing, snowboarding, hiking, climbing, water sports, and year-round outdoor adventure, alongside a vibrant downtown food and arts scene. Burlington has five affiliated Jewish communities for personal practice or identity exploration and is located 2 hours from Montreal, 3.5 hours from Boston, and 6 hours to New York City, now with a direct Amtrak connection. 

Hillel at UVM is affiliated with Hillel International. Hillel International enriches the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world, and envisions a world where every student is inspired to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel.

About Hillel International

In 1923, Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means, a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today, Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at nearly 1,000 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. As Hillel evolves as an organization, the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.

Hillel is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all.

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