Public Programs Coordinator

Jewish Community Center of San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Jewish Community Center of San Francisco seeks a Cooperative Public Programs Coordinator to design and execute community-driven Jewish programming and cultural arts. You will lead staff at events, coordinate partnerships, and ensure smooth operations from inquiry to completion across diverse audiences.

The role requires 3+ years of event experience, strong communication, and weekend/evening availability. On-site work in San Francisco with occasional remote tasks and collaboration across

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years hands-on experience in planning and coordinating events.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as Jewish Studies, Education, Cultural Studies, Nonprofit Management, Museum Studies, Communications, Arts Administration.
• Ability to design and facilitate hands-on cultural arts programming celebrating Jewish life.
• Experience as lead staff for public-facing programs.
• Knowledge of Jewish culture and holidays with appreciation for diversity.
• Weekend and evening availability per program schedules; some Jewish holiday work.

Responsibilities

• Design and coordinate community-driven programs for Jewish holidays, rituals, and cultural arts.
• Develop engaging content and hands-on experiences; collaborate with artists, educators, and organizations.
• Lead staffing and logistics at events; represent JCCSF to partners and vendors.
• Coordinate space planning, run-of-show docs, vendor relations, and safety compliance.
• Maintain event records in Salesforce and related systems; provide post-event follow-up.
• Support B’vakasha Initiative and Torah/Chuppah Lending Library operations as needed.

Skills

Event planning

Community engagement

Communication

Time management

Weekend availability

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft 365

Salesforce

DocuSign

Job description

This role is responsible for coordinating and supporting opportunities to engage a vibrant Jewish community. The Public Programs Team is nested within the JCCSF’s Roots & Culture Department, bringing people together to cultivate lives of joy and meaning in the space where the wisdom of Jewish cultures meets the rich, cultural diversity of San Francisco.

This role advances projects and partnerships supporting Jewish holidays, rituals, cultural arts, Tikkun HaOlam (social action), Shabbat, Israel programming, staff gatherings, and cross-departmental initiatives.The coordinator is responsible for administrative duties and creating, planning, facilitating, and staffing for Public Programs. Programs vary in size, location, and complexity, including festivals with 500+ attendees, concerts, meals, intimate gatherings, and drop‑in activity stations.

The Coordinator supports the B’vakasha Initiative, which provides welcoming spaces at the JCCSF for community groups and nonprofit organizations to meet and gather. This role ensures a smooth, positive experience for community partners from initial inquiry through event completion.

This role also coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Torah and Chuppah Lending Library, providing excellent customer service, instructional materials, and a focus on community engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Experience Design and Community Engagement – 35%

Design and coordinate community-driven programs, Jewish holiday celebrations, rituals, and civic engagement initiatives for community members of all ages, backgrounds and affinity groups.

Develop creative, educational, and experiential content for Jewish cultural programming and service learning, incorporating diverse and inclusive perspectives.

Research, cultivate relationships with, and collaborate with artists, musicians, chefs, educators, local businesses, and community organizations to develop engaging programs and hands‑on experiences.

Coordinate community service projects, donation drives, and other opportunities for meaningful community engagement.

Represent the JCCSF at onsite and offsite partner and community events to build relationships, explore opportunities for collaboration, stay informed about local programming, and support event planning and logistics as needed.

Serve as lead staff member at activations and events, making real-time operational decisions and representing the JCCSF to community members, partners and vendors.

Occasional staffing for other JCCSF programs.

Event Coordination and Administrative Tasks – 30%

Manage event planning and execution, including space needs, production logistics, staffing, security, scheduling, space use, and guest experience.

Coordinate with internal teams to communicate event needs, develop run‑of‑show documents, space layouts, and traffic flow plans, and ensure smooth event operations.

Manage vendor relationships and logistics, serving as a resource for colleagues on event‑related vendors.

Ensure events, vendors, and partners comply with applicable safety, health, food, alcohol, and JCCSF policies.

Source, purchase, organize, and maintain event supplies and materials.

Drive the JCCSF van to transport event materials and supplies as needed.

Work under the direction of the Jewish Life & Community Engagement Manager for all B’vakasha Initiative responsibilities.

Monitor the B’vakasha Initiative emails and coordinate space requests following approval by the Jewish Life & Community Engagement Manager.

Coordinate event logistics across departments, including room reservations, space requirements, scheduling, attendance, and production needs.

Manage rental agreements, including collecting required information, certificates of insurance, fees, and signatures.

Maintain accurate event records and documentation, including Salesforce, calendars, tracking spreadsheets, event summaries, floor plans, and signage.

Serve as the primary point of contact for community partners, providing timely communication and post-event follow-up, including thank‑you emails and surveys.

Provide on‑site support for community events as needed.

Torah and Chuppah Lending Library - 10%

Under the direction of the Jewish Life & Community Engagement Manager:

Coordinate Torah and chuppah loans, including contracts, inventory, and borrowing logistics.

Support instructional materials in collaboration with Jewish educators.

Deliver excellent email and onsite customer service to community members and partner organizations.

Research and build relationships to expand the project's impact.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of (3) years of hands‑on experience in planning and coordinating events
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as: Jewish Studies, Education, Cultural Studies, Nonprofit Management, Museum Studies, Communications, Arts Administration
• Ability to design and facilitate hands‑on cultural arts programming celebrating Jewish life for diverse, intergenerational audiences.
• Experience working as lead staff person for public-facing programs.
• Knowledge of Jewish culture and holidays, with awareness of the depth of diversity within Jewish culture, past and present.
• Availability during weekends and evenings is required, based on program schedules. This includes work on some Jewish holidays (typically Shabbat, First Day Rosh Hashanah, First Night Passover, excludes Yom Kippur). Specific holiday requirements are subject to change as programming evolves.
• Strong organizational and time management skills; able to juggle multiple projects, set priorities; and manage short and long‑term timelines effectively.
• Clear and effective communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Office software; experience with calendar and database software
• Experience with Salesforce and DocuSign a plus
• Ability to work in an environment that honors a diversity of opinions, Jewish pluralism, multiculturalism, and intergenerational approaches.
• Must have valid driver’s license and clean Motor Vehicle Record.

Preferred qualifications

Experience leading Jewish rituals e.g. Shehechianu, Shabbat blessings, Hanukkah candle‑lighting (excludes prayer services, Passover seder), or ability to learn.

Knowledge of contemporary Jewish music, art, and culture.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work in public settings, work in crowded/loud environments, work outside in varying weather conditions, work offsite at a variety of venue locations. Administrative tasks to be performed primarily on‑site at the JCCSF facility; remote work is available occasionally based on department’s work schedules and needs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Lift and carry supplies, use ladders and stepstools, use pushcart and wagons, maneuver through crowded venues, drive company vehicle, work on computers from a seated or standing position.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT CLASSIFICATION

Professional 1

HOURS/SCHEDULE

40 hours/week, weekend, evening, and holiday hours are required.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about working at the JCCSF, including staff culture, hiring practices and policies, and benefits, visit our Careers page: https://www.jccsf.org/about/careers/

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.