Director of Religious Education and Catechetical Leadership

POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Religious Education and Catechetical Leadership supports the mission of the Diocese of Boise by assisting the Bishop in carrying out his role as the chief catechist of the diocese. The Director oversees and manages all functions of the Office, provides leadership, vision, and direction to all catechetical ministries, programs, and services, promotes the skills and practices of parish planning and programming, and works in collaboration with other office staff to promote an integrated approach to the catechetical formation of children, teens, adults, and lay leaders throughout the diocese. This position is a full-time, exempt, ministerial position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
• Working knowledge of the systems, structures, and teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Strong familiarity with the content of the Church's catechetical documents, methodologies, ministry, and programs.
• Ability to help parish leaders understand and utilize appropriate theories, models, processes, and methods in planning and programming (including identifying needs, analyzing data, evaluating alternatives, setting priorities/goals, and successfully achieving outcomes).
• Ability to nurture strong relationships with clergy, religious, and lay leaders. Ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Advanced understanding of the stages of faith development and ability to develop and implement catechetical programs on all levels (children, youth, young adult, and adult).
• Other tasks, projects, duties assigned or delegated by the Bishop.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Works collaboratively with office staff, other diocesan offices, commissions, advisory boards, pastors and pastoral leaders to further the catechetical mission of the Church.
• Collaborates with diocesan offices and parishes in promoting authentic, effective, and life-long catechesis throughout the diocese.
• Regularly reviews catechetical curricula materials and diocesan curriculum guidelines for catechetical programs at every age level.
• Provides leadership in the development of sacramental and catechetical policies/practices.
• Provides leadership in the development and implementation of catechetical ministry training and ongoing formation opportunities throughout the diocese.
• Advocates for quality catechetics within parishes by personal contact with priests, catechetical leaders and other parishioners through meetings, presentations, and written communication.
• Develops, establishes, and oversees the administration and content training/certification programs for catechetical instruction. Visits parish catechetical offices to encourage, ascertain needs and concerns, and provide a diocesan presence of support and guidance.
• Aids parishes in developing the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
• Assists parishes in developing/ implementing quality catechetical ministry programs.
• Ensures that new catechetical leaders receive orientation, training, and mentoring.
• Works with catechetical leaders to discern ongoing catechetical needs throughout the diocese and develop programs/services to meet these needs.
• Researches and effectively communicates best practices/resources in catechetical methodology, stages of faith development, curriculum, instructional strategies, adult learning models, strategic pastoral planning, council development, etc.
• Maintains statistics on catechetical efforts at all levels (children, youth, young adults, and adult).

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience
• Bachelor's degree in theology, religious education, pastoral ministry, or related field (Master's or higher preferred), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5-10 years' experience in religious education administration on the parish or diocesan level.
• Spanish language skills preferred.

Additional Qualifications
• Must be a practicing Roman Catholic in full communion with the Church.
• A strong commitment to the Catholic Church and its mission.
• Strong knowledge of Catholic Church structures, systems, and teachings.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; must be a self-starter, well-organized and a team player.
• Ability to delegate when appropriate.
• Ability to maintain annual budget for supplies, subscriptions, stipends, equipment, etc.

This position at the Diocesan Pastoral Center offers meaningful work, service-oriented and respectful work environment, work-life balance, more paid holidays than the federal government including Christmas week off, daily mass, free tuition for your children enrolled in our diocesan schools, generous benefits including health insurance, a pension plan and more...

To apply, go to: https://www.catholicidaho.org/current-openings and submit diocesan application and resume to [email protected].