Religious Education Director

Job Description

CITY OF SAINT JUDE
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DIRECTOR
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Parish Catechetical Leader (PCL)
Location: City of St. Jude Parish, Montgomery, AL, 36108
Reports To: Pastor
FLSA Status: Full-time/Non-exempt
Salary: Negotiable
Please send resume and cover letter to: parish@cityofstjude.org
Job posting closes: 10/5/2024
Description: The Parish Catechetical Leader, under direction of the pastor, is responsible for the overall direction of the parish's total catechetical ministry. Envisions, plans, develops, and then organizes and evaluates all facets of the parish's formation programming (infants, children, adolescent/youth, young adult, adult, and family as well as sacramental preparation for initiation -including the catechumenate). Coordinates, recruits, facilitates training for, and evaluates catechists and volunteers involved in catechetical programming. Researches and selects appropriate materials and media for parish use. Communicates with parishioners, parish staff, and archdiocese representatives on relevant matters. Stays current with regard to developments or trends in the field of catechetics, education, and ministry.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Develops goals, objectives, and implements strategies for a comprehensive catechetical program that serves Pre-K through adults, including preparation for Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation.
• Develops and implements a coherent and unified curriculum and catechetical plan for the parish, in conjunction with the pastor, parish staff, religious education team, ad-hoc advisory committees, and others.
• Directs and oversees various catechetical programs that support a comprehensive, systematic, lifelong, and ongoing discipleship in the Catholic faith for all parishioners in accordance with Church teaching and practice as outlined by Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), the General Directory for Catechesis (GDC), the National Directory for Catechesis (NDC), church law archdiocese guidelines, and parish needs.
• Responsible for the recruitment and training of catechists/volunteers and assures that they fulfill archdiocese Safe Environment and certification requirements.
• Implements the archdiocese and parish catechetical policies and guidelines, including the areas of catechist certification and supervision and administrative policies related to negligence, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and the safety and protection of minors
• Oversees and directs the work of the religious education team; collaborates with them on the development of a yearly schedule for all programs.
• Responsible for administrative functions such as publishing a handbook which contains parish programs and sacramental policies and procedures, organize all Sacramental records, program registrations, evaluations, and other pertinent data or information.
• Evaluates the parish formation programming and makes recommendations to the pastor.
• Researches, evaluates, and recommends primary and supplemental catechetical resources and materials.
• Utilizes the parish bulletin, weekly update, website, social media, and other media to communicate and market catechetical programming, best practices, and milestones.
• Provides support to the religious education team in the areas of training, resources, and programs.
• Keeps current in developments/changes with archdiocese policy.
• Acts as a resource person in the area of catechetics for the religious education team, parish staff, pastor, and parish community.
• Prepares annual budget for review by the pastor and parish finance council and oversees expenditures to maintain budget within parameters.
• Develops an accurate and reliable statistical metric of the parish's catechetical efforts and submits reports to the pastor, parish leadership team, archdiocese, or other as required.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings.
• Attends and facilitates religious education team and/or committee meetings.
• Performs any other job-related duties as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
• The Parish Catechetical Leader has supervisory responsibility for the parish faith religious education team, which includes catechists.
• Develops role descriptions for catechists and support staff.
• Provides regular evaluation for catechists and support staff.
• Supervises members of the Religious Education Team.
Education and Experience:
• Bachelor's Degree (preferred, but not required) in Theology, Religious Education, or Catechetics and Evangelization, or a related field, from a Catholic University or equivalent.
• Archdiocese Catechist Certification (To be completed upon hire).
• Candidate is certified in levels I, II, and III with The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (or is willing to be trained upon being hired).
• At least four (4) years of ministry experience in a parish or archdiocese position (related degrees and comparable experience will be considered).
• Must have a valid driver's license and the ability to travel as required.
• Must pass archdiocese Safe Environment Requirements and background check.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of Catholic doctrine and beliefs as presented in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other relevant ecclesial documents and publications.
• A genuine love for Christ and a desire to serve Him.
• Knowledge of the catechumenate process and a thorough understanding of the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults.
• Knowledge of the multi-cultural dimensions of catechesis and the ability to work across cultures.
• Ability to assess needs and desired results to develop catechetical processes and programs.
• Leadership and teambuilding abilities to direct all elements of catechetical programming.
• Possess excellent planning and organizational skills.
• A Catholic in good standing, with sufficient knowledge and training in Theology, liturgy, and ministry in the Roman Catholic Tradition.
• Exhibits skills in interpersonal communication, collaborative ministry, and public speaking.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with others.
• Computer literacy; excellent written, oral communication and interpersonal skills required (bilingual English/Spanish or another language in addition to English is a plus).
• Ability to assess parish needs and resources and perform against objectives and goals to fulfill these needs; an updated knowledge of educational and catechetical trends and practices.
• Ability to work under pressure; to initiate, be creative, and to anticipate solutions to problems; to exercise good judgment in emergency situations and when working with varied personalities and cultures; must be able to work with frequent interruptions and to multi-task.
• Ability to maintain accurate fiscal records, to monitor budgets, and to correlate statistical data.
• Ability to interact with individuals and groups and to maintain appointments or meetings on parish grounds.
• Is expected to work no less than 40 hours per week including evenings and weekends in order to fulfill requirements of job.
• Performs any other job-related duties as required.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common journals, articles, and periodicals.
• Must have good problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required.
• The ability to sit and stand for prolonged periods of time. Must be able to reach, grasp, feel, and see up close and from afar.
• Must be able to use basic office computer hardware and peripherals, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to communicate verbally and in written form.

Continuing Education:
• Takes responsibility and gives priority to professional and spiritual development.
• Attends meetings/events convened by the archdiocese as related to catechetical ministry or job-responsibilities.
• Participates in local and regional professional organizations related to catechetics.
• Maintain certifications/credentials as the parish catechetical leader.

About the Employer

The City of Saint Jude Parish provides hope for the hopeless by proclaiming to everyone we encounter that no-one is truly without hope who has a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.