POSTED ON May 25, 2022

Clergy Study Administrative Assistant

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Our Vision:

Central Synagogue is a thriving reform congregation in midtown Manhattan, serving 2,600 households and the larger community.  We work towards a world in which Judaism is central to our lives and is a profound and positive force for humanity.  We are constantly evolving as we pursue that goal.  Together, we learn, worship, serve and continually redefine what it means to be Jewish today, both within our community and far beyond our walls.  We do this through our programmatic areas of focus:  Worship/Holidays/Music; Pastoral Care/Lifecycles; Adult Engagement; Youth and Family Engagement and Social Justice. For more information about our organization visit www.centralsynagogue.org.

Job Summary/Objective:

The Clergy Study Administrative Assistant will work closely with our pulpit clergy and clergy administration team as a member of the Clergy Study.  In this position, the Clergy Administrative Assistant will collaborate with our clergy to uphold and make possible the visions and priorities of Central Synagogue. The Clergy Assistant’s primary responsibility is to provide administrative support to the clergy they are assigned to and fulfill other administrative duties related to the support of the synagogue.The position requires efficiency, strong organizational skills, the ability to maintain confidentiality and the delivery of time-sensitive communication. Additionally, this position will act as the clergy study concierge and is integral to providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere to all constituents.   

Reports To: Rabbi Daniel Ross and Rabbi Maurice Salth (in collaboration with Exec Assist to the Sr Rabbi)

Full-time, FLSA classification (non- exempt and eligible for OT).

Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Friday 8:30 – 4:30 pm, or equivalent.  Must be available to work during the High Holy Days. 

Start Date:  June, 2022

Essential Duties/Key Responsibilities:

Administrative/Project Support to Rabbis Ross and Salth:

• Collaborate with Rabbis and assist with various administrative tasks
• Maintains and coordinates each rabbi’s calendar and schedules appointments as needed
• Reviews calendar on a regular basis to pro-actively identify needs and discuss/plan accordingly
• Filters requests, screens calls, provides general gatekeeping and greet guests
• Manages all meeting logistics: identifying location, coordinating reservations, adhering to requirements, coordinating travel, invitations, RSVPs, etc.
• Composes/drafts correspondence; processes gifts and does data entry. Processes content of incoming mail and packages.
• Manages financials: reimbursements, check requests, expense reconciliation, Clergy Directed Fund management, American Express reconciliation
• Additional key administrative support including- photocopying, filing, documenting, etc.
• Supports Shabbat, holiday and High Holy Day work as assigned
• Supports the delivery of life cycle and pastoral care to members
• Supports their work for classes taught
• Lifecycle management- processes intake forms, associated materials, certificates, Salesforce data entry and provides back up support for any pastoral care administrative tasks
• Provides project management assistance as needed
• 20’s/30’s Program – in collaboration with the 20’s/30’s clergy program lead supports and executes a variety of administrative tasks

Caring Committee:

• Collaborates with Rabbi Salth to support the work of lay leaders on caring initiatives of our congregational community
• Provides administrative support and oversight for the caring committee
• Maintains records in Salesforce
• Manages Care Package supplies
• Works with lay leaders on the Caring Committee and other Caring Committee project volunteers

Clergy Study Concierge:

• Front line phones and reception - this person is committed to enhancing member experience and provides excellent customer service
• Develops best practices and scripts to enhance customer and member relations as they relate to the Clergy Study: scripts, referrals
• Trains Clergy Study administration colleagues on best practices
• Updates Master calendar on behalf of department, as well as security lists and conference line reservations
• Responds to general clergy inbox inquiries and proactively takes action, filters requests and refers to appropriate person
• General office related tasks - orders and maintains supplies and ritual items, responsible for maintaining the office supply room’s organization

Adult Education and Center for Exploring Judaism Liaison:

• Communicates with these departments to schedule pulpit clergy attendance at Torah Study, mikvah visits, etc.
• General Clergy Study Department Responsibilities 
• Provides support to Shabbat, Holiday and Music Coordinator with compiling documents for Shabbat
• Provides support to all basic tasks and responsibilities of the Clergy Study department
• Team player who can and will collaborate and provide coverage for colleagues in times of heavy workflow
• Performs general administrative support as needed
• Utilizes Sales Force for all Clergy Study functions

Core Competencies:

• High degree of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism and reliability
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgement independently
• Strong attention to detail and ability to execute
• Team player who builds strong, collaborative relationships across various stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written and communication skills
• High degree of enthusiasm, flexible attitude, open demeanor and geared to getting things done with efficiency
• Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and adapts to situations as they arise
• Professional demeanor and positive collaborative attitude
• Able to work well under pressure which maintaining calm demeanor
• Strong email and phone etiquette

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.  Degree in administration or other relevant field preferred
• 1-2 years’ administrative support experience or equivalent work
• Computer Skills:  proficiency in Microsoft applications including Microsoft word, excel, outlook, PowerPoint and database skills are a must.  Preferred knowledge of Zoom and Microsoft Teams a strong plus
• Knowledge of Salesforce a strong plus
• Attention to detail and the ability to keep up with data entry are essential
• Ability to set and re-set priorities and multi-task effectively and independently in a fast-paced, team oriented work environment
• Interest and knowledge of synagogue life and Jewish ritual practice desired but not necessary

Other Duties:

Please note the above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. 

Benefits:

Salary commensurate with experience, level of education and certification.

Benefits include: paid vacation time in correspondence with school and religious holidays, paid sick and personal days, medical coverage, paid childcare leave, retirement plans, group life insurance and learning/growth opportunities.