Program Director for Religion and Civic Connections
The Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) is a secular non-profit organization that works with hundreds of faith leaders from a broad range of religious traditions. Our goal is make New York and the world safe for religious diversity, by bringing together religious leaders and civic officials to address pressing social concerns. We work to create relationships of mutual respect and understanding among New York City’s faith communities and civic institutions, to educate New Yorkers and others about the city’s religious diversity, and to encourage collaborative civic engagement by New Yorkers of all religious and secular backgrounds.
ICNY’s Civic Connections programs work to build bridges between local religious leaders and secular civic institutions, including the NY State court system and criminal justice agencies. Past and present Civic Connections programs include: borough-based roundtables for religious leaders, judges, and court officials; Family and Faith Reentry Circles of Support; and domestic violence prevention training for religious leaders.
Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Start date: March 15, 2014
Job Description:
The Program Director for Religion and Civic Connections will be a highly motivated, accomplished individual with the ability to develop and implement a core set of ICNY programs, as well as a range of related skills in grant writing, community organizing, and public outreach. His or her responsibilities will include:
- Develop and implement successful Civic Connections programming. Examples of specific programs may include: facilitating court-based roundtables for religious leaders in all five boroughs; providing support to local congregations for the supervised exchange of children in justice-system-involved families (eg. orders of protection, family court cases); working with Reentry Circles of Support outreach coordinator to build congregation-based programs for parolees and their families; working with partner organizations to offer domestic violence prevention training for religious leaders.
- Play a leading role (with support from ICNY’s Development Director and other colleagues) in raising funds for current and future Civic Connections programs. Specific tasks will include: grant writing for Civic Connections programs; development of new programs in this area; prospect research for new funding sources; building and sustaining relationships with foundation funders, government agencies, and program partners.
- Report to ICNY’s Executive Director and work collaboratively with other ICNY program and development staff, including regular attendance at weekly staff meetings.
Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree from an accredited college/university is required. Masters degree in a relevant field (eg. MDiv, MSW, MPA, etc.) is strongly preferred.
- 5 to 7 years of relevant work experience, with progressively increasing responsibilities, in nonprofit organizations, civic institutions, and/or government agencies.
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including substantial grant writing experience.
- Track record of success in developing, funding, implementing, and evaluating nonprofit programs.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively, maintaining professional standards and demeanor in all situations.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, including racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse New Yorkers.
- Experience in event/conference planning or community organizing is preferred but not required.
- Reliability, thorough attention to detail, and ability to work effectively under pressure of deadlines.
- Deep respect for religious diversity is essential, and prior knowledge of NYC religious communities is preferred, but personal religious background/affiliation is neither relevant nor required.
To apply please send substantive cover letter and resume to elly@interfaithcenter.org. Please use email subject line “Civic Connections Application.” Applications will be reviewed as they are received, until the position is filled.
