Faculty Director of the Rural Ministry Program

Description

Summary: The Faculty Director of the Rural Ministry Program is a fully bilingual individual that serves as Director of the project “Caminando Juntos: Accompanying Small-Town and Rural Pastoral Ministers,” serving dioceses primarily in the Southwest region. Working under the lead of the President and in collaboration with the Academic Dean, faculty and administrative staff, and other program directors, the director will (1) Direct MACC’s support efforts with partner dioceses in implementing or expanding diocesan outreach in small-towns and rural areas of a given diocese; (2) In collaboration with the Director of Reginal Programs, coordinate curricular initiatives for students in the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Program from the partner dioceses; (3) In collaboration with the Coordinator of Lifelong Learning, coordinate the curricular activities of young adults from the partner dioceses in MACC’s Young Adult Formation Program; (4) help cultivate and support on-going relationships with Catholic bishops, diocesan offices and parishes; (5) Teach two courses per semester. 

The role of the Program Director requires a fundamental integration of the New Evangelization and the formation of Missionary Discipleship in a pastoral de conjunto to support dioceses in reaching out to and form ministers in service of the multicultural pastoral needs of children, youth, young adults, adults (as couples, and also men and women separately), seniors, and persons with disabilities, all living in small-towns or rural areas.

  Position Responsibilities:

• Implement (weekly online meetings, monthly webinars, and individual accompaniment) and refine (through monthly meetings with diocesan coordinators) a comprehensive strategy for supporting dioceses in the Southwest Region of the U.S. as well as other dioceses in the area in expanding or starting a comprehensive outreach to their small towns and rural areas.
• Use all the technological tools available for the Church and professional training markets, especially tailored online teaching
• In keeping with the principles of Ex corde Ecclesiae, Must always be obedient to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church under the guidance of the Archbishop of San Antonio
• Teach two classes per semester at MACC in the areas of Rural Ministry or other specialization in theology and ministry
• Ongoing problem-solving and research for new training methods of ministry development for both young adults and adults in ministry
• The director develops models of comprehensive formation that take into account the multicultural reality of the church 
• Assists in recruiting qualified instructors for specific courses and recommends them to the Academic Dean 
• Maintains regular communication with the diocesan coordinators regarding curriculum and student performance, such as student      participation and completion of courses, and meets with the diocesan coordinator whenever necessary 
• Assists in the enrollment process of new students as needed
• Assists in addressing issues that arise regarding student performance in collaboration with Director of Regional Programs (for students in the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Program) or with the Coordinator of Lifelong Learning (for students in the Young Adult      Leadership Formation Program)
• Communicates regularly with students regarding course assignments, grades, attendance, etc.
• Supports the Director of Regional Program in providing accompaniment to students by assisting them in resolving difficulties when special situations occur in their lives which hinder student participation and completion of courses 
• Participates in regularly scheduled faculty and staff meetings at MACC in person
• Serves as a member of the Student Academic Success Committee (SAS) and participates in the committee meetings 
• Is aware of the national trends in theology, rural ministry, lay ministry, and young adult faith formation, important documents and resources that are available 
• Participates in professional associations, when possible, to expand knowledge of national and international issues      influencing the Church and to develop a network of useful contacts
• Regularly engage in personal growth, professional development, theological study, prayer, charity and justice work, and      spiritual formation
• Adhering to safety training and protocols on a daily basis and taking precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of self, and others. 
• Responsible for protecting the confidentiality of any information or material obtained in the service with the organization to include but not limited to students’ names and information, services rendered to students, donors names and gifts, internal and external investigations or results of any investigations, and financial information.
• Adherence to the Code of      Conduct and the Faith and Morals Policy is mandatory.
• Every employee is required to take a solution-oriented approach in their interactions and undertakings, as well as being a team member that promotes collaboration and commitment to the Mission and Vision of the organization.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications: 

Education

• A doctoral degree in ministry or theology (any field) is required; ministry, pastoral theology, or applied theology is preferred. ABD acceptable with a deadline for graduation. 

Experience

• Minimum of five (3) to five (5) years of teaching, pastoral and management/administrative experience with background in program development, evaluation, Program/Project Management, or other related experience.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, including online pedagogy, research, and service in the School and profession.
• Knowledge and experience of one or more areas of ministerial practice, such as congregational studies, pastoral care, catechetics, justice ministries, rural ministry, spirituality, and intercultural ministry, especially with Hispanic and Asian American communities.

Minimum Knowledge and Skills: 

• Must be bilingual in English and Spanish;
• Must be a Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church, willing to request the mandatum from the local ordinary;
• Thorough knowledge of the Catholic Church Magisterium;
• Demonstrate maturity as a person (being), believer (knowing) and apostle (knowing how) as outlined in the General Directory for Catechesis and National Directory for Catechesis;
• Proven ability to design and develop certification programs, talks, presentations, and educational and skill training programs, and the technical support for required for these;
• Excellent ability to comprehend and explain complex, semi-complex policy and procedure;
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and project management experience;
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and excellence in organizational and project management with the ability to achieve strategic objectives;
• Strong analytical skills; basic business intuition, and prudential judgment;
• Strong problem-solving skills; able to see problems in context of the local Church and think through consequences of solutions in a swift manner;
• Ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders with impeccable integrity, charity and an attitude of dialogue; 
• Excellent collaborative team leadership and program coordination skills;
• Excellent diplomacy, tact and strong negotiation skills;
• Excellent public speaking skills, detailed planning and organizational skills;
• Experience with a range of computer software, Learning Management Systems, and Microsoft Office Suite; 
• Must be organized, self-motivated, work well independently and on a team;
• Must have good written and verbal skills;
• Must have good critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Travel Requirements: Travel requirements for the position include some regional travel (10%), some local travel (5%) and 5% overnight.