Director of Junior High Youth Ministry

Job Overview

Position Start Date: July 1, 2025
Director of Junior High Youth Ministry: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Ridgewood, NJ seeks full time director for approx. 270 students in grades 7 & 8 to join its Youth Ministry Department. Duties include curriculum development, volunteer training, teaching, and website development for a progressive youth ministry based religious education program including service component, social programming and leadership development. Experience preferred but not necessary. A bachelor's degree in youth ministry, theology, or a related field is required; masters in similar areas is preferred. Strong personal communication skills, both written and oral, are required. Strong organizational skills and computer proficiency required. Salary commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities

- Oversee all aspects of the Junior High Religious Education Program for grades seven and eight including but not limited to:

- Teaching

- Service project component

- Reconciliation services

- Administration and registration

- Curriculum development

- Grade level liturgies

- Website development and updating

- Assist in creating a yearly budget for all junior high youth ministry programming.

- Recruit, train and supervise all volunteer adults within the junior high youth ministry program.

- Provide social, spiritual and leadership development programs for junior high teens.

- Provide a summer mission trip experience for junior high teens.

- Attend all meetings as deemed necessary by the Director of Youth Ministry or the Pastor.

- Facilitate, evaluate and update the existing curriculum for grades seven and eight in
accordance with a natural progression into the Confirmation Program.

- Provide opportunities for spiritual development for both parish junior high youth and
adult volunteers within the program.

- Attend all local, diocesan, regional and national meetings as deemed necessary which
would impact or enhance youth ministry development within the community.

- Participate in the parish life of the community whenever possible.

- Be visible and available for all junior high aged young people and their parents.

- Be a resource/referral agent for junior high young people and their parents.

- Deal with crisis situations as they arise, having a predetermined plan of action to deal
with such issues.

- Provide crisis counseling and referrals when needed.

- Provide resource materials for junior high aged youth and their parents.

- Submit an annual report on the status of the junior high program to the Director of Youth
Ministry.

- Keep abreast of developments and new programming ideas in the field of junior high
youth ministry, religious education and youth culture.

- Identify and reach out to junior high youth that are not active in the church community
and encourage them to experience the personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

- Act as an advocate for junior high youth within the parish and community.

- Assemble the necessary resources needed for the junior high youth ministry program.

- Encourage the young people to participate in parish, diocesan, regional and national activities and events.

- Oversee all administrative responsibilities for the junior high youth ministry program in
conjunction with the youth ministry administrative assistant.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in a youth-focused role or similar environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to connect with children, families, and community members.
• Experience in social work or mentoring roles is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with event planning and execution is beneficial.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of individuals.
• A genuine passion for supporting the development of young people.
• Knowledge of Microsoft computer programs and social media platforms is required.

This position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of youth while promoting positive values within the community.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $48,000.00 - $52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Ridgewood, NJ 07450: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $48,000 - $52,000