Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry

Full Time Director of Faith Formation & Youth Minister

Location: St. Mary's Catholic Church, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Reports to: Pastor
Primary Function: The Director of Faith Formation & Youth Minister administrates (designs, develops, directs and evaluates) a total parish catechetical program and provides leadership to assist a parish community in building a solid foundation for spirituality, discipleship, ministry and outreach.

Position Responsibilities:
1) Designs catechetical programs which support lifelong learning and conform to the National Catechetical Directory (NCD), diocesan guidelines, parish needs and culture.
a. Develops goals, objectives and strategies for the total faith formation program.
b. Pursues further education and professional development.

2) Develops and administers programs for youth, including their sacramental programs. Supervise programs based on the seven components of youth ministry - creating community, understanding, catechesis, communications, empowerment, spirituality, service, which meet the needs/interests of the youth/young adults.
a. Be representative or recruit for Totus Tuus
b. Supervises and coordinates scheduling of youth events and activities.
c. Fundraising for youth programs.

3) Develops a coordinated approach toward parish faith formation, i.e. faith development through catechesis on all levels.
a. Designs catechetical programs that meet the needs of the parish community.
b. Recruits, trains, supervises and evaluates catechists and support staff.
c. Maintains relationship with priest, deacons, other parish staff members, commissions, and catechetical staff.
d. Develops individualized programs for parishioners with special faith formation needs.

4) Directs the implementation and on-going management of the parish Faith Formation program.
a. Identifies and enables leadership within the community to take responsibility for program components.
b. Adjusts program components (space, time, materials, human and physical resources) as needed.
c. Creates and monitors a budget (income and revenue allocation) for the operation of programs.
d. Obtains resources (AV, parish, library, textbooks, liturgy materials) which complement the faith formation efforts in the parish.
e. Coordinates liturgical/sacramental functions and varied prayer experiences.
f. Communicates with participants, parents and the parish-at-large to keep them informed of faith formation efforts.

5) Evaluates the Faith Formation programs of the parish in relation to the parish's vision, mission, and value statements.

6) Administration
a. Maintains necessary office and program records, including but not limited to diocesan mandated Sexual Misconduct Policy statements, permission slips for students and drivers for activities, and obtains background checks on chaperones in accordance with the diocesan policy. Serves as the parish Safe Environment Coordinator
b. Orders all materials
c. Directs the formation of the Faith Formation calendar
d. Administers budget for Faith Formation and assist in annual budget planning.
e. Conducts ongoing evaluations of texts, materials, programs, and expenditures.

7) Communication
a. Keeps the parish faith community informed of ministry activities and goals through newsletters, bulletin boards, postcards, mailings, e-mails, the parish app, social media platforms, and the parish website.
b. Advises, communicates and cooperates with other parish and diocesan ministries.
c. Keeps informed through attendance at deanery, diocesan, regional and/or national conferences.
d. Meets regularly with the Pastor and other parish staff for planning and coordinating of activities.

Position Specifications/Requirements
1) Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
a. Must have appropriate self-knowledge and ability to share the Catholic faith. Must have the ability to work with a variety of ages, personalities and backgrounds.
b. Facilitation skills, counseling skills, one-on-one listening skills, crisis intervention and referral skills.
c. Organizational skills: time management, delegation, long-range planning, fiscal management and budgeting.
d. Volunteer management skills: recruiting, training and supporting.
e. Ability to function without direct supervision; self-motivated.
The Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry is expected to have a four year degree beyond high school or completion of the Diocesan two-year Ministry Formation Program and two to three additional years of specialized ministry formation sponsored by the Diocese of Davenport or other approved entity, or equivalent experience. This position is required to communicate Catholic beliefs and through the nature of job tasks is expected to model and encourage the acting out of the Catholic values to convey Church culture to others and to exercise a role model of the Catholic faith.

Work Environment: This position entails frequent evening and weekend work. Some pressure from deadlines, interruptions, or changing priorities exists. The ability to compromise and work with various individuals for the good of the parish in a one-on-one and group setting is imperative. It is expected the Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry will represent the parish in a positive manner.

The position requires some physical efforts and responsibility for driving is to be expected.
Addendum: The following is a list of programs for which a Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry could be responsible:
Elementary and Middle School/High School Faith Formation
Middle and High School Youth Ministry
Early Childhood Programs
Sacramental Preparation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance)
Totus Tuus
Adult Faith Formation
R.C.I.A. Process
Catechetical Training/Formation