Operations Associate

Hillel at the University of Vermont

Role Overview

Hillel at the University of Vermont is seeking an organized, team-oriented, and student-centered person to serve as our Operations Associate. This key professional will provide support to the engagement team and executive director and be responsible for the organization’s daily operations. The Operations Associate works in person in an open office environment at the Burack Hillel Center on the University of Vermont campus. They will connect with students, staff, alumni, parents, family & friends of UVM providing support with an eye for excellence in organizational planning and follow-through.

This is a full-time, in-person position. Typical hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, with occasional evenings or weekends (about 1–2 per month). Coverage for major Jewish holidays—especially Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover—is required for program support.

What You’ll Do

• Financial Systems and Purchasing: Your eye for detail will help us oversee purchasing, manage the credit card, engage systems for ensuring proper tracking of expenses, and work closely with our bookkeeper to process reimbursements and invoices.
• Catering: Food is the means to engage students in a meaningful Jewish experience. You will connect with the Kosher cafeteria in Simpson Hall, contract external staff for events, manage when food is cooked in the Hillel kitchen, and ensure seamless delivery of student program services in a vibrant atmosphere. This position will be the primary point of contact for large events like High Holidays, Passover, and more.
• Organization and Systems: You will be responsible for engaging in regular communication with staff to ensure proper planning, execution, and follow-up. You will be familiar with Google Drive, Microsoft Office, and Quickbooks or able to receive training on new software.
• Facility: You will connect with UVM Facilities and Residence Life to provide a welcoming environment and manage the Hillel office, shared spaces, and kitchen. You can provide occasional operational support at student programs, including Shabbat and holiday gatherings on evenings and/or weekends. Comfortable with hands-on work (tidying rooms, moving furniture, basic upkeep).
• Administrative Support: You’ll provide administrative support as needed to the staff team where applicable. Responsibilities may include assisting with expense reports, managing payroll functions, connecting with Human Resources to ensure legal compliance, communicating clear expectations to staff, assisting with onboarding and offboarding employees, booking travel, organizing meetings, and inputting data into our database.

Qualifications

We welcome and encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Experience in general operations and/or building management preferred
• Some experience multitasking in an open office environment
• Experience mentoring and/or formally managing others preferred
• Ideally some experience with Hillel/Jewish life but not necessary

What You’ll Bring to the Job

• Outstanding organizational and time management skills, including the capacity to juggle competing priorities and deadlines
• Agility to address changing needs of students in real time
• Comfortable and able to engage with students from a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs and adhere to UVM’s Code of Conduct and Our Common Ground values
• Ability to learn new procedures and systems
• Strong drive and willingness to take initiative to complete each task to a high standard
• Being part of a staff culture that values transparency, collaboration, respect and creativity
• Knowledge of essential computer software programs, including Google Drive
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Impeccable discretion and appreciation of confidentiality and trust
• Driver’s license and independent transportation

What You’ll Receive

• The salary range for this role is $50,000-$54,000
• Includes health, dental and vision benefits
• After completing your second year in the role, UVM Hillel automatically contributes 5% to your retirement plan
• Generous vacation and medical time
• Access to professional development opportunities to support your growth via Hillel International and external resources
• Open workspace in a hospitable and comfortable building with a talented team of professionals who enjoy their work

About Hillel at the University of Vermont

Hillel at UVM was the recipient of Hillel International’s Great Place to Work Award in 2021 for our commitment to our staff’s wellbeing. As an organization we seek to support our employees in living their best lives so they can be their best selves for our students. Because of Hillel, UVM has risen to become one of the “top 20 public schools Jews choose” according to the 2022 Jewish College Guide. The lessons learned through the pandemic and applied today through innovative, academically aligned programming have helped Hillel not just maintain, but exceed all engagement metrics in recent years by connecting with over 2,000 Jewish students, allies, and friends each year. We engage students with a design-thinking methodology to discover new ideas and co-create initiatives that make Burlington, Vermont, and the world a better place.

The Burack Hillel is located inside the 439 College Street Residence Hall, steps away from the historic campus green. Three floors of the facility also include one floor of UVM residents, which is managed, staffed, and maintained by UVM Residence Life. The Burack Hillel has a fully functional kitchen in addition to separate staff office space and a third floor open floor plan that hosts religious services, meetings, and quiet space for studying.

Candidates will thrive in the role if they are able to embrace the northern and rural aspects of living in Burlington, Vermont. Situated between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, Vermont offers a lot to explore from small towns, skiing, and high adventure hikes to a thriving downtown food and entertainment scene. Burlington has five affiliated Jewish communities for personal practice or identity exploration and is located 2 hours from Montreal, 3.5 hours from Boston, and 6 hours to New York City, now with a direct Amtrak connection!

Hillel at the University of Vermont is affiliated with Hillel International. Hillel International enriches the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world, and envisions a world where every student is inspired to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel.