Director of Youth and Adult Discipleship, Saint Jude Parish, Shadyside

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Director of Youth and Adult Discipleship
Reports to: Pastor of St. Jude Parish
Direct Reports: No paid direct reports
Provides direction to: Staff and Volunteer support teams
FLSA: Full Time Exempt
Hours: Average 40 hours per week
Salary: Commensurate with experience

The Director of Youth and Adult Discipleship is responsible for implementing St. Jude’s pastoral plan and ministerial efforts as it directly relates to the initial formation of the youth and the ongoing formation of their families and adults. As such this person is responsible for designing, organizing, and implementing ministries that support the formation of all age groups of the parish as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. This person works with parish staff and volunteer teams to provide opportunities for catechesis, youth retreats, missionary outreach, service, and socialization. All ministry fits into the parish’s effort in leading all to know, calling them to, and supporting them in their next step following Jesus. The Director, by getting to know the various groups in St. Jude parish, will facilitate discipleship by connecting them to fruitful opportunities for growth.

In order to accomplish this work, the Director of Youth and Adult Discipleship takes responsibility for his/her own personal and ministerial growth by participation in local diocesan programs of formation, especially those specifically tailored to this work by the diocesan office; the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM); and other national organizations and conferences such as Life Teen, Steubenville Conferences, etc.

Responsibilities and Tasks
In collaboration with the Pastor at St. Jude Parish, the Director of Youth and Adult Discipleship responsibilities and tasks include:

• Providing vision and goal-centered coordination for the parish's efforts in ministry to young people and their families in middle school (6th - 8th grade) while looking forward to a future high school program. (9th - 12th grade).
• Planning, developing, promoting, growing, and assessing year-round evangelization to awaken all to a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

• Identifying, recruiting, training, and providing on-going support for volunteers.
• Coordinating and leading ministry activities. Such events would be bi-weekly for youth and at least monthly for adult formation.
• Strategizing, planning, and executing the immediate confirmation preparation for 8th grade youth.
• Coordinating with Sacred Heart Elementary School and is a presence to the 6-8th grade students.
• Is present at Masses and various events at St. Jude Parish campuses.
• Encouraging people, particularly youth, to become involved in the liturgical life of the parish by becoming, servers, readers, hospitality ministers, and sacred musicians and vocalists.

• Implementing best practices even when these are in tension with the historical trajectory of the predecessor parishes. The Director will press graciously but firmly for reform even against resistance and recrimination.
• Communicating regularly with parents, seeking input as appropriate, and implementing services and ministries for parents.
• Using various means of communication (e.g. social media, bulletin, website, Flocknote, etc.) to engage the parish at large.
• Maintaining several points of contact with people and families, being present in a variety of ways, locations, and times, such as sporting events, musicals, and other spaces where people, particularly the youth, gather.
• Serving as a collaborative member of the Parish Staff and assisting in creating parish engagement.
• Participating in parish staff meetings as required.
• Submits a budget to the business manager by [Date] of each year.
• Collaborates with the Coordinator of Safe Environments to ensure that all requirements, policies, and mandates for volunteers are in compliance with the Diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection.
• Plans, promotes, and attends special events, trainings, and meetings (National, regional, diocesan, vicariate, district, etc) to improve self and others both professionally and personally, as agreed upon.
• Serves as the liaison with the current diocesan office of youth ministry.
• Other duties as assigned and agreed upon.

Competencies and Skills

• Personal Competencies:
  • The Director of Youth and Adult Discipleship shall have demonstrated in previous volunteer or paid positions a fidelity to the faith and tradition of the universal Church and shall manifest the intention to adhere in future work to the faith, tradition, and discipline of the universal Church, the local diocesan Church, and the parish.
  • The Director of Youth and Adult Discipleship shall have the good physical and psychological health commensurate with the responsibilities of the position and shall possess personal qualities that exhibit a prayerful spirit, maturity (both personal and spiritual), flexibility, initiative, adaptability to pastoral situations, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Educational Competencies:
  • The Director of Youth and Adult Discipleship to have a bachelor’s degree or higher in the area of theology or evangelization. Special consideration will be given to candidates who have received formation from a nationally recognized religious order or lay apostolate (e.g. FOCUS, NET, Christ in the City, Saint Paul’s Outreach, etc.).
• Professional Competencies:
  • Skillful ability to build and supervise strong diverse volunteer teams.
  • Appropriate understanding of middle school and high school adolescent culture.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and various social media and communication platforms.
  • Strong ability to affirm and call forth the unique gifts of youth and adults by providing opportunities for their ongoing spiritual growth, leadership development, and vocational discernment.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Father Brendan Dawson, bdawson@diopitt.org. In your cover letter, tell us why you feel called to this position and how your experience makes you the right fit.