Assistant Educator for Tawonga Bay Area Programs

Job Title: Assistant Educator (view PDF)
Department: Jewish Education
Reports to: Bay Area Programs Manager
Salary Range: Starting at $25/hour, Part-Time
Location: East Bay, San Francisco
Schedule: Part-time with a nine-month commitment (late August 2025 – May 2026) Option to be on our sub list if unable to commit to all classes

About Tawonga

Tawonga’s mission is to provide educational and recreational programs for children, adults, and families that foster self-esteem, lifelong friendships, connections with nature, and positive Jewish identity and spirituality. We run programs at our residential campsite next to Yosemite National Park and in the Bay Area, serving 5,000 people a year.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Camp Tawonga is an Equal Opportunity Employer, values diversity and is committed to being an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills, and to hiring people of color, LGBTQ individuals and women. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and organizational need.

Job Purpose and Description

The Assistant Educator supports the educational components of Tawonga’s B*Mitzvah Program and the Tawonga Family School. We’re seeking passionate and creative educators who are excited to engage youth and families in joyful, inclusive, and experiential Jewish learning environments. This role is ideal for emerging educators looking to grow their skills through mentorship and hands-on teaching experience.

About the B*Mitzvah Program

Camp Tawonga’s B*Mitzvah Program is a two-year, experiential, nature-and Tikkun olam (the Jewish value of repairing the world)approach to Jewish coming-of-age journeys. Programming includes twice-monthly Sunday classes in San Francisco and the East Bay (2 hours each), full-cohort weekend retreats, and occasional family events like hikes and Havdalahs. Assistant Educators can apply to work in one or both regions based on availability.

About the Tawonga Family School

Our family school brings together families with kids ages 4–8 in regional cohorts around the Bay Area. Each group meets once per month on Saturdays for 2.5 hours. Through ritual, storytelling, crafts, and games, Assistant Educators help create a warm, engaging, and values-driven Jewish community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Teaching & Facilitation

• Serve as an Assistant Educator during Saturday and/or Sunday classes (typically 9am–4pm for B*Mitzvah or 9:30am – 1pm for Tawonga Family School , 1-2x/month depending on how many cohorts you support, often with additional optional opportunities, in either San Francisco or the East Bay)
• Support student engagement and classroom activities during lessons
• Serve as a counselor during weekend overnight retreats (two per year)
• Support family learning and community engagement events, such as:
  • Shabbat and Havdalah gatherings
  • Outdoor learning events
  • Picnics and holiday celebrations

Classroom & Program Leadership

• Attend educator training in the Fall. 
• Participate in regular check-ins with the Bay Area Programs Manager for supervision and feedback.
• Represent Tawonga’s mission, culture, and values to families and the broader community.

Other Duties

• All other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Training, Experience, Skills, and Qualities

Required

• Experience working with children or youth
• Comfort engaging with students ages 4–8 for Family School and/or 11- 14 for the B*Mitzvah Program and their families
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Enthusiasm for Jewish community-building
• Friendly, responsible, and professional demeanor
• Must be at least 18 years old or a high school graduate (due to supervisory responsibilities over minors)

Preferred

• Ability to relate to a diverse range of people and families 
• Familiarity with Jewish values, holidays, and rituals
• Flexible, positive attitude, and a team-player mindset
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving educational setting

Supervision

• This position is supervised by the Bay Area Programs Manager. Assistant Educators also receive day-to-day support and guidance from the Lead Educator during classes and events.

Work Environment & Schedule

This is a part-time, in-person position based in the Bay Area. Classes and retreats take place on weekends approximately 1-2 times per month between August and May. Preparation time is expected in advance of each class.

Physical Demands

The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Ability to write, read, hear, and speak effectively to communicate with children, parents and staff.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers to handle classroom and instructional materials 
• This position involves supervising children and requires frequent standing, walking, kneeling, and sitting with some lifting up to 30 pounds

Worksite

• This role is an in person position at classes taking place in the Bay Area, Retreats taking place a couple hours from the Bay Area, and occasionally online to lead virtual adult education or Kabbalat Shabbats.

Work Environment

• Noise level is moderate when working from outdoor classroom settings

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and/or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice based on the needs of Camp Tawonga.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a part-time, non-exempt, non-benefited position. The starting pay is $25 per hour, with potential increases based on experience and tenure.

To Apply

To ensure consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter explaining your qualifications for and interest in the position. Send applications to applications@tawonga.org with “Assistant Educator” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.