Director of Religious Education

General Position Summary: Responsible for program development and administrative oversight of Religious Education programs which foster children and their families in becoming lifelong disciples of Christ. This is accomplished through a pastoral, liturgical and catechetical approach toward evangelization and catechetical formation. Areas of responsibility include but are not limited to Elementary Religious Education, intergenerational and family catechesis, Sacrament Preparation (Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation and R.C.I.A. Adapted for Children/Adults). All catechetical instruction must be in keeping with the magisterial teachings of the Catholic Church.

Principal Accountabilities:

General Administration

• Serves as the primary point-of-contact for elementary/high school formation and

religious education.

• Manages the proper storage and disposal of confidential information and personally identifiable information (PII) in accordance with policy and law.
• Responsible for the operating administrative budget (as it applies to his/her respective position) according to Diocesan and parish policies.
  • Directs next-year budget submissions in accordance with promulgated deadlines.
  • Directs the submission of monthly budget reports.

• Demonstrates dynamic problem-solving skills through adaptable and flexible leadership. Clarifies the needs and directives of supervisors, supervises and manages logistics, and clearly communicates resulting needs and barriers to success in a timely, professional manner.
• Foster mutually responsive relationships with parish staff and the parish community at large
• Mitigates conflicts quickly and charitably.
• Works independently and within teams on special nonrecurring and ongoing projects as assigned.

Formation and Religious Education

• Develop and implement processes of Formation for Elementary/High School Youth (grades K-12th) in accordance with the vision and guidelines of the Diocese of Fort Worth for Evangelization and Catechesis.
• Develops a catechetical framework within initial catechesis using the four pillars of the Catholic Church.
• Responsible for planning and implementing programs, meetings and retreats for sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation and RCIA for the parish.
• Fosters effective communication with parents and volunteers of the Religious Education Programs.
• Provides catechesis and teaching for parents in their role as first and best teachers of the faith.
• Directs presence and oversite children’s catechetical and sacramental preparation programs, meetings and trainings.
• Ensures catechist/aide to student ratio is maintained for all RE programs/events.
• Schedules, organizes and ensures compliance with yearly Virtus Empowering God’s Children (formerly Called to Protect) curriculum for children and maintains record for audit.
• Maintains communication with the Pastor in all matters and needs related to Elementary/High School Religious Education.
• May participate in on-going formation and skill enhancement programs, workshops or certification related to job responsibilities.
• Assists in planning, implementing and teaching workshops for volunteers on various components of catechetical development.
• Plans, directs and implements yearly Vacation Bible School if able to enlist volunteers.
• May attend general staff and formation department meetings & act as a resource to the Parish staff regarding children, families and sacramental preparation offerings.
• Responsible for all other projects, tasks, etc., as assigned.

ADMINISTRATION:

• Directs and promotes student registration and ensures current forms are maintained in parish and formation offices, as well as on parish website. Develops yearly schedule of classes and programs for elementary/high school religious education and sacrament preparation publicity.
• Responsible for the recruitment, and placement of catechists, program aides and support personnel for Religious Education and Sacrament Preparation programs.
• Directs and procures facilities for all classes and programs for religious education and sacrament preparation.
• Prepares all class schedules, student lists and volunteer lists, catechist folders, and classroom assignments for all areas of education by paper and database.
• Directs Children’s Liturgy of the Word and ensures appropriate resources are available for facilitators.
• Develops the annual Religious Education budget as part of the Formation department budget.
• Responsible for ordering, receiving, maintaining and dispensing inventory of textbooks, teaching materials and program resources and ensures submission of requests for payment for program resource orders.

RECORD KEEPING

• Develops & assures accurate yearly record maintenance and administrative processes for program.
• Responsible for data entry and student record keeping and maintenance for elementary student registration, tuition payments and attendance.
• Responsible for receiving and maintaining all necessary sacrament paperwork and documentation for elementary aged students and maintaining student registration by paper.
• Maintains catechist files and ensures current safe environment training is maintained for all Religious Education and sacrament preparation volunteers.
• Ensure completed sacrament records are provided to responsible staff for sacrament record keeping. Mails sacrament notification to the church of Baptism.
• Maintains and tracks expenditures for materials as related to programs with approval from Pastor.
• Prepares and delivers monthly budget and variance reports, to include a summary of purchase orders and reimbursements, to the Pastor, as appropriate to this position.
• Manages the proper storage and disposal of confidential information and personally identifiable information (PII) in the Formation Department in accordance with policy and law.

RECORD RETENTION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintains work process binder
• Catechist Records (volunteer application, training, interview) – 7 years after terminated
• Religious Education Registration forms, student records and class attendance lists – 5 years after school year completed.
• Cash Receipt Books – 7 years.

VOLUNTEERS:

• Catechists
• Elementary/High School Religious Education Support help
• VBS volunteers
• Sacramental Prep (1st Communion & 1st Reconciliation & Confirmation) volunteers
• RCIA/OCIA Volunteers

Typical Decisions and/or Recommendations Made in This Position:

Moderate decisions and/or recommendations made in this position

Supervision Given and/or Received:

Moderate supervision given/received by Pastor and/or Business Manager

Internal Contacts:

• Diocese Pastors, Priests, School Presidents, Principals, Business Managers, and employees.

External Contacts:

• Parishioners, Diocese vendors, local, state, and federal agency representatives, and auditors.

Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements:

• This position works in a typical office environment but is subject to stress due to the evolving and quickly expanding needs of the Diocese, tight deadlines and moderate workloads.
• Ability to sit and perform computer work for lengthy periods of time.
• Able to access and maintain centralized departmental files. Involves extending arms and reaching files stored in multiple levels on shelves, climbing up a stepladder to access files.
• A significant amount of time regularly spent on the telephone providing customer service support and problem solving for both internal and external customers.
• Ability to accept work interruptions while remaining focused on duties.
• Data entry via computer keyboard requiring repetitive and frequent hand and wrist movements.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance and up to 60 pounds with assistance.

Travel Requirements:

• Infrequent travel, by car, may be required to Diocese Parishes and/or schools.

Education and Experience Preferred:

• Practicing Catholic, faithful to the Magisterium, and in good standing with the Catholic Church.
• Catechist certification, religious studies certificate or degree or equivalent preferred.

• Previous volunteer management, database management, and/or budget experience preferred.
• Previous teaching experience preferred.
• Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church.

Knowledge and Skills Preferred:

• Ability to honor and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work well with people.

• Ability to receive, understand, retain, and complete verbal and written tasks.
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and work efficiently with staff, clergy, religious, and laity.
• Ability to work nights and weekends.

• Excellent organization, prioritization, and communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Demonstrated competency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Parish Data Systems.
• Demonstrated history of good judgement.
• Ability to work well with people from a diverse variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated aptitude for adaptability and flexibility.
• General ability and willingness to learn, use, troubleshoot, and implement/teach technology.
• Bilingual (Spanish/ English) is highly desirable but not required.

FLSA Designation: Exempt, Full Time/40 hours per week