Programs Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Hillel of Sonoma County is looking for a dynamic, organized, and relationship-driven Program Associate to help shape Jewish student life at Sonoma State University (SSU) and Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC). In this full-time role, you'll lead program logistics, support student leaders, create meaningful, joyful Jewish experiences on campus as well as develop a stable of community donors to support the organization. 

This is a great opportunity for someone who thrives in a flexible, collaborative environment and is excited to contribute to a growing, close-knit Jewish community in the North Bay Area.

By joining Hillel of Sonoma County and being virtually part of the SF Hillel team, you'll be helping build something personal and powerful: a close-knit, pluralistic community where Jewish students explore identity, celebrate tradition, and feel seen and supported during their college years.

Student Engagement & Leadership

• Collaborate with the SF Hillel Assistant Director to evolve our student engagement strategy 
• Coach and mentor emerging leaders, especially on expansion campuses (SRJC).
• Help shape and facilitate a reimagined student leadership cohort and seasonal retreats.
• Use student feedback and data to refine outreach and engagement efforts.

Event Coordination & Logistics 

• Own the logistical side of program planning: scheduling, vendor coordination, marketing requests, food orders, etc.
• Plan and execute core programs like Shabbat, holidays, and leadership retreats.
• Ensure events run smoothly and reflect student interests and diversity. 

Relationship Building & Campus Outreach

• Build relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
• Support outreach strategies to engage new students and deepen community.
• Assist with Birthright and other immersive trip recruitment and student data tracking.
• Build relationships with community partners at synagogues, Jewish local businesses, etc.

Social Media & Communications

• Coordinate and maintain Sonoma Hillel's social media calendar, ensuring that all content is aligned with the organization's goals, values, and events. 
• Collaborate with the Social Media Intern to draft, edit, and schedule posts, including event promotions, community updates, and student spotlights. 
• Assist with drafting and editing student newsletters, ensuring content is engaging, accurate, and timely.

Development & Fundraising

• Maintain, renew, and upgrade a portfolio of institutional and individual donors to meet annual fundraising goals to secure funding for the Program Associate position and Sonoma programming. 
• Develop, track, and facilitate execution of stewardship plans for Sonoma individual donors.
• Oversee donor stewardship activities for Sonoma individual donors.
• Manage the stewardship of institutional funders, providing periodic updates on programs/grant outcomes, in collaboration with the Senior Director of Development.
• Coordinate fundraising and friend-raising events (e.g., parlor meetings, graduation celebrations, community benefit events) in Sonoma County.
• Coordinate periodic fundraising campaigns integrated across platforms (direct mail, email, social media, website) and others as determined in collaboration with the Senior Director of Development.
• Support the direct mailing campaigns (Hanukkah and End of Year)
• Support the online giving campaigns (Giving Tuesday and Hillel Global Giving Week)
• Conduct and document prospect research on potential institutional and individual donors to succeed in fundraising goals.

• You're passionate about building inclusive Jewish communities.
• You have 2-3 years of experience in programming, event planning, student engagement, and fundraising.
• You're highly organized, self-directed, and flexible.
• You're a relationship builder with strong communication skills.
• You're comfortable managing logistics and juggling multiple priorities.
• You can work some nights/weekends and travel occasionally to local campuses.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.

• Supportive supervision and professional development opportunities.
• Access to Hillel International's training programs like New Professionals Institute (NPI), Hillel International Global Assembly (HIGA), and Western Hillels Organization (WHO), when applicable.
• Compensation: $65,000 - $68,000 (annually for 40 hours/week)
• Benefits include: paid time off, professional development stipends, cell phone stipend, and travel reimbursement for local campus visits.

Hillel of Sonoma County supports and empowers Jewish students at Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College. We foster inclusive spaces for students to explore identity, build leadership skills, and celebrate Jewish life in ways that are meaningful and relevant. We are proudly pluralistic, student-centered, and deeply relational.

Hillel of Sonoma County supports and empowers Jewish college students in the North Bay-primarily at Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College-as they explore their Jewish identity, build community, grow as leaders, and make meaningful connections to Jewish life, tradition, and values.

Vision

We envision a vibrant, inclusive, and joyful Jewish community where every student in the North Bay feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow-Jewishly, personally, and professionally. Sonoma Hillel will be recognized as a central and trusted part of campus life and the broader Jewish community in Sonoma County, helping make the region a welcoming place for Jewish students now and into the future.

Our Values: We believe in the inherent worth, value, humanity, and dignity of each person. As Jewish tradition teaches, each of us is created b'tzelem Elohim, in the Divine image. To that end, we are committed to pluralistic Jewish life on campus, a diverse workforce, and the values of inclusivity. We embrace all the identities, experiences, and backgrounds each person brings. We respectfully welcome students, professionals, and community members of all abilities, races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, observances, and interfaith backgrounds, so that we can work together to contribute to, and experience the full richness of, Jewish life and community.

Sonoma Hillel 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.