Director of Inclusion

Why this role matters:

The Bender JCC is committed to nurturing a climate of inclusion across the organization. The Director of Inclusion is responsible for the integration of inclusive programming and administration for children and adults across the Bender JCC, as well as the development and evaluation of these experiences. Working in partnership with numerous staff and departments across the Bender JCC, the Director of Inclusion will support a continuum of programming year-round for individuals with disabilities, act as a resource and support for their families and caregivers, and create a culture of learning throughout the organization with an eye towards inclusion for staff, members, and guests. The Director will also act as the Bender JCC’s liaison to external community organizations to create a more inclusive community and foster expanded learning.

For more than 40 years, the Lessans Camp JCC has offered a fully-inclusive program for youth. More recently, Early Childhood Center and after-school programs provide students and families with skill building workshops, referrals, and other supports year round. In the future, we aspire to expand our continuum of inclusion programming to include services and workshops for young adults.

The Director of Inclusion reports to the Chief Program and Innovation Officer and will supervise an Inclusion Program Coordinator.

About the Bender JCC:

The Bender Jewish Community Center in Rockville, Maryland is a premier community center at the heart of Jewish life in Montgomery County, Maryland, operating a full-scale health and fitness center, pre-school, day camp and variety of education and arts programs. We create a welcoming and inclusive environment, connecting the people of our Jewish community with each other, Israel, and the broader community. We inspire individuals of all ages and backgrounds to enhance their social, physical, intellectual, and spiritual well-being through programs of excellence rooted in Jewish values.

Core Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Bender JCC staff to ensure accessibility in all aspects of the organization’s operations, for those of all ages.
• Develop a framework and facilitate internal partnerships to offer a continuum of mutually beneficial supports and outcomes for individuals with disabilities; design or co-design inclusive programming for all ages, including children, family, and adult programming and skill-building workshops.
• Serve on the Lessans Camp JCC’s leadership team to inculcate the values of inclusion and diversity in the entirety of the camp culture; oversee the Inclusion programs and administration.
• Collaborate with Early Childhood Center leaders and other programming staff to develop, lead, and evaluate programming and supports in our preschool and through youth/after-school series.
• Develop a strategy to expand programming for adults with disabilities in the future.
• Conduct ongoing evaluations of these inclusive programs and experiences; share results to inform future strategic planning and goal setting.
• Based on center-wide assessments, provide on-going training for staff with an emphasis on disability supports and professional procedures and policies, helping colleagues to model what inclusion looks like.
• Develop and manage external partnerships with like-minded organizations locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Consult with our Inclusion Advisory Committee, including community-based inclusion and disability services professionals and Bender JCC members, to explore new strategic opportunities.

Qualifications

You are:

• Experienced and trained in Disabilities Inclusion. You lead organization and program assessments, trainings, and support the creation of procedures and policies.
• Passionate about providing disability supports. You are skilled at providing support formally and informally to individuals with disabilities, their parents and family members so they can participate in Bender JCC Programming.
• A talented creator of strategies and programming. You have vision, and are eager to develop agency-wide strategies for implementing accommodations and modifications to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, inculcating these values across the Bender JCC, camp, and early childhood and youth programming.
• An active listener. You approach problems and situations with a growth mindset and spend time studying the many wonderful aspects of our community.
• A skilled and detail-oriented manager. You mentor staff and guide colleagues, while also managing an array of logistics that are the foundation of effective programs and experiences.
• A collaborative team player. You have a positive attitude and ability to interact with all levels of the organization. You enjoy working across departments, forming collaborations, and building partnerships.
• You believe that inclusion and diversity are strengths. You account for the value of inclusion in every aspect of your work, and you understand the nuances of diversity that shape donor, member, and staff experiences.

You should have:

• BA in a relevant field.
• Formal training and work experience in the area of disability inclusion.
• Keen interest and understanding in the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience managing staff.
• Experience collecting and analyzing data and generating reports.
• Experience conducting presentations and trainings.
• Customer service orientation with excellent listening and organizational skills.
• Proficient in MS Word / Excel / Outlook / PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of the Jewish community broadly and the mission of the Bender JCC of Greater Washington, more specifically.
• Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Ability to perform other duties and responsibilities as needed, required, or assigned.

Our core values are

• Welcoming and inclusive (Hachnassat Orchim) We open our doors to everyone and strive to create an inclusive and accommodating environment for people of different backgrounds, abilities and means.
• Respect (Kavod) We seek to create a town square where our community can be exposed to diverse viewpoints and grapple with difficult issues in a respectful and civil manner.
• Jewish Peoplehood (Klal Yisrael) We create connections to the people, history, culture, and land of Israel and with the Jewish people, welcoming all Jewish traditions and backgrounds.
• Community (Kehilla) We facilitate relationship building and a sense of belonging to create communities across all stages of life.
• Working together (Byachad) We partner and collaborate with Jewish and secular organizations to build a stronger community.
• Wellness (Shmirat HaNefesh vHaGuf) We promote the well-being and fitness of every person.
• Spirit (Ruach) We infuse spirit and fun into our activities and programs.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary $75,000-80,000+, commensurate with experience. The Bender JCC provides a benefits package that includes retirement, medical, dental, and vision benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO), and a flexible working environment. You’ll also receive a full family membership to the Bender JCC, including complete access to the entire fitness facility and pools, plus staff discounts on programs and services (e.g. camp, preschool and afterschool).

To Apply

Research shows that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they feel that they meet 100% of the qualifications. If this role sounds interesting to you, we encourage you to apply! The Bender JCC is committed to building a diverse team that draws on the strengths of people with a variety of identities, backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

Please submit a resume and cover letter with your application.