Disability Services Fellow

Description

Summary

The 2027 Jewish Community Inclusion Program – Disability Services Fellowship is a yearlong paid fellowship from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027. This fellowship is designed to cultivate new leaders in the Jewish community disability services field.

The Disability Services Fellow will support and expand the Jewish Community Inclusion Program (JCIP) at JFCS. Through a variety of leadership opportunities and community engagement initiatives, the Disability Services Fellow will gain meaningful professional experiences, mentorship, and training.

The Disability Services Fellow will collaborate with JFCS staff across all departments, establish new opportunities with community partner organizations, elevate accessibility and inclusion at JFCS events and external programs, and build supportive relationships with program participants and their families. Projects will align the Disability Services Fellow’s interests with program needs.

Potential projects include community assessment, program evaluation, event preparation, resource referrals, accessibility consultation, inclusion advocacy at local organizations, volunteer coordination, and community education.

This position requires a flexible schedule, including some evening and weekend availability, especially Sundays, to attend community events and programs. This hybrid role is approximately 15 hours per week, with at least 7.5 hours/week in the JFCS Golden Valley office.

This fellowship is a great fit for…

• Graduate students in social work, disability policy and services, nonprofit administration, education, and other related fields.
• Early-career professionals seeking experience and training in disability services, Jewish communal work, and a comprehensive human services agency.
• Those who require a community organization placement for a relevant degree or licensure program, if requirements align with fellowship parameters.

Preferred Experience and Qualities

• Passionate about disability inclusion and accessibility.
• Strong relationship-builder who can connect and build trust with Jewish adults with disabilities, their families, and community partner stakeholders.
• Effective at fostering a welcoming, inclusive, accessible, and engaging environment for volunteers, partners, and clients of all identities and abilities.
• Resourceful problem solver, adaptive team member, and effective collaborator.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects on different timelines.
• Models and upholds organizational values, including compassion, inclusion, innovation, integrity, and collaboration.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office, cloud-based collaboration platforms, and basic data-management tools, with the ability to learn new systems as needed.
• Experience and/or interest in community assessment, program evaluation, disability inclusion advocacy, and/or case management.

Stipend and Benefits

• The fellowship provides a $10,000 stipend for the January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027 term. The Disability Services Fellow may also be eligible for course credit if degree parameters allow.
• The Disability Services Fellow will receive ongoing mentorship from JFCS staff, participate in relevant training and professional development opportunities, and build community connections that support their future career goals.