Student Ambassador

About Hebrew Union College

Founded in 1875, Hebrew Union College (HUC) is North America's leading institution of higher Jewish education and the center for professional leadership development of Reform Judaism. With campuses in Cincinnati, Jerusalem, Los Angeles, and New York, HUC educates rabbis, cantors, Jewish educators, nonprofit leaders, and scholars while advancing Jewish scholarship and learning worldwide.

Our mission is to build vibrant Progressive Judaism by educating visionary leaders, advancing Jewish scholarship, and studying Jewish life through an open, egalitarian, inclusive, and pluralistic lens.

Position Summary

 Working alongside the Office of Recruitment and Admissions (ORA) staff, the Virtual Pathway Student Ambassador will help create, develop, and implement innovative strategies, experiences and materials to: 

• Attract applicants;
• Enhance current student relations;
• Help train students to be lifelong recruiters and mentors;
• Increase publicity for the College-Institute; and
• Train recent and future alumni on recruitment efforts. 

The Student Ambassador will enhance their engagement, communication, counseling, and contact management skills while employed in this position. 

Hebrew Union College is hiring one new Student Ambassador in New York City, NY to work with our returning ambassadors in New York and Los Angeles. This individual must be an HUC student.

Essential Responsibilities:

Create virtual experiences for prospective students:  Lead the communication with all visiting prospects and liaise between visitors to campus and the local campus school directors, faculty, students and administrative staff of ORA. These details include but are not limited to: 

• First contact with guests to plan and engage them prior to their visit (email and phone/text); 
• Engage and train current students to serve as campus hosts during classes, tefillah, for meals (on campus) and housing (as needed); 
• Coordinate and create schedules as needed for prospective students, incorporating interactions with ORA staff, school program directors and students to ensure an experience-rich visit; 
• Invite and host conversations for prospects and applicants for programs located on that Student Ambassador’s campus (e.g. Los Angeles, rabbinical, SOE and ZSJNM programs); 
• Support ORA team with Open House planning on campuses; 
• Support ORA team for on campus interviews including hosting a meal(s) with applicants and students around interviews, and invite applicants for a campus visit; 
• Manage the reimbursement of students (e.g. for hosted meals) and visitors (up to $250 reimbursement for travel costs). 

Travel Opportunities may arise for a student ambassador to travel locally and nationally, for additional pay, to recruitment-rich programs and conferences, college campuses and summer camps. 

Report on campus visits including who came to campus, what they did, who they met with and how ORA should follow-up. 

Support and periodically contribute to different information sessions and webinars, with ORA Admissions and Office Administrator. 

Follow up: As requested, mail gifts, swag and care packages on behalf of the ORA office. 

Research: As requested, conduct research and data collection for statistical analysis, recruitment strategies and admissions processing. 

Prospective Student and Applicant Management and Support: In coordination with ORA Directors, the Student Ambassador will: 

• Contact current prospective students to learn their goals for graduate study and share with them how HUC-JIR can help them meet those goals; 
• Explain the admissions process, answer questions, and provide the prospective applicant with the necessary counsel to “shepherd” them through the admissions process;
• Reach out to future prospective students to offer a personal opportunity to connect with a current student and invite them to campus; 
• During admissions interviews arrange for meals, meetings with students and class visits for applicants; 
• At the end of the admissions season, reach out to those who had inquired for that term to see if they are still interested; and advise on YII program and campus selection for those recently admitted.

Admitted Student Support: 

• Invite all admitted students to campus for a visit.
• Advise admitted students about YII program and campus selection.

Education

•  2 years minimum of graduate and/or seminary schooling and training; preference for HUC-trained 

Experience

• 1+ years in community engagement programming
• 2 years of active membership in the HUC community; should be current student. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge and experience of the greater Jewish community, locally and beyond;
• Excellent evaluation and record keeping skills with fine attention to detail;
• Professional and courteous communicator, with administration and applicants alike;
• Kind, honest and friendly person willing to be a part of a dynamic, remote, professional team;
• Must be self-motivated, organized and able to manage many moving pieces and overlapping timelines at the same time;
• Recruitment experience, academic or sales, is not required but appreciated. 

Compensation:

The position will require approximately 5 hours/week and be paid $30 per hour (up to $300 per pay period). The period of hire for this position is from October 5, 2026 – April 20, 2027 (up to $4,200 gross pay). The total number of weeks worked should be agreed upon with your supervisor. Student Ambassadors may take unpaid time off as needed. 

Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. 

Why Join Hebrew Union College?

At Hebrew Union College, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of Jewish leadership by recruiting, mentoring, and inspiring the next generation of rabbis and Jewish professionals. You'll join a collaborative, mission-driven community dedicated to academic excellence, innovation, and strengthening Jewish life throughout North America.

Hebrew Union College is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.