General Introduction
The Archbishop, visible principle of unity in his archdiocese, is called to build up the particular Church unceasingly in the communion of all its members, and to ensure that their diverse gifts and ministries, in union with the universal Church, serve to build up all the faithful and to spread the Gospel. (
Apostolorum Successores 8). He must take care that all the affairs which belong to the administration of the whole archdiocese are duly coordinated and are ordered to attain more suitably the good of the portion of the people of God entrusted to him.” (
Apostolorum Successores 177).
Each position employed in the chancery helps to extend the ministry of the Archbishop in particular ways as outlined in the position description.
General Summary Of Essential Purpose
Manages, coordinates, and implements several distinct pastoral care ministries for the Archdiocese of Seattle as well as supervises and supports all related staff members. Provides mission leadership and strategic visioning for archdiocesan outreach efforts.
Essential Position Duties
- Under the direction of the Executive Director of the Office of the Vicar General, this position oversees and directs the Department of Pastoral Care & Outreach. Collaborates with other chancery staff in the vision, implementation, and evaluation of the department’s mission, services, and programs in support of parishes, faith communities, clergy, offices, agencies, and various marginalized communities within the Archdiocese of Seattle.
- Provides for the pastoral care of persons impacted by various systems including criminal justice, hospital & healthcare, immigration, port, foster care, mental health, and disability systems. Participates on archdiocesan committees tasked with supporting these communities. Collaborates with deanery, parish, nonprofit, government, and faith community leadership as well as appropriate chancery leadership to meet the pastoral care needs of these individuals and their families and develop effective outreach efforts.
- Provides supervision and support for paid pastoral ministers (i.e. chaplains) and volunteers in the fields of criminal justice, hospital & healthcare, immigrant & refugee, seafarers, and deaf ministries. Responsible for hiring, training, evaluating and, as necessary, terminating staff. Provides auxiliary supervision, in cooperation with the Office of Vicar for Clergy, to priests assigned to prisons and hospitals.
- Collaborates with local and national nonprofit organizations that partner with the Archdiocese of Seattle to deliver pastoral care services and advocate for various marginalized communities.
- Provides direct service in jails, prisons, hospitals, ships, and immigration centers alongside (or in lieu of) pastoral staff. This includes organizing baptisms/confirmations for those in various facilities who have completed OCIA processes. Provides direct chaplaincy services as needed for the First Hill Hospital Ministry, Criminal Justice Ministry, Immigrant & Refugee Ministry, and Seafarers Ministry, etc.
- Provides pastoral care and outreach consultation and customer service to Catholic parishes, schools, organizations, and the Catholic faithful at large. Provides parish and school presentations on pastoral care and outreach ministries to encourage participation, promote the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and assure missionary discipleship formation. Assists parishes and schools in the development of their own outreach ministries and initiatives. Publishes a monthly pastoral care e-newsletter, “Simon’s Corner.”
- Assures the logistics of major events and pastoral care initiatives are coordinated and managed. Events may include staff/volunteer trainings, special community Masses, annual events, workshops, and staff retreats, etc. Pastoral care initiatives may include the One Parish One Prisoner re-entry model, Jail & Prison Ministry 101, Restorative Justice Peacemaking Circles, etc. Collaborate with all vested partners to execute and evaluate all pastoral care related events and initiatives.
- Serves as an archdiocesan resource and/or liaison for local, civic, state, regional and national groups, and organizations. Negotiates and manages all related pastoral care contracts with government and healthcare agencies, such as chaplaincy agreements with the Department of Corrections (DOC), the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), the Geo Group, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), and several hospital spiritual care departments, etc. Facilitates regular check-in meetings with all stakeholders to improve systems and address difficulties. Serves on DOC’s Religious Advisory Committee. Facilitates the ecclesiastical endorsement process for local chaplains seeking board certification with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
- Assures effective stewardship of resources through oversight of the Pastoral Care & Outreach Ministry budget and office administration in accordance with archdiocesan policy. Assures compliance with deanery assessments for Criminal Justice Ministry. Manages and issues annual hospital ministry grants to deaneries who seek them and directly oversees the South Seattle Deanery’s Hospital Ministry.
Primary
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Willingness and ability to support the mission of the Church by extending the ministry of the Archbishop and providing a pastoral presence in the assigned facility.
- Ability and desire to use God-given gifts and talents in service of the local Church in support of the collaboration between lay and ordained Ministers.
- Ability to apply the Catholic faith to those affected by crime and incarceration.
- Active member of a parish/faith community in good standing with the Church.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in theology, Religious Studies, or related field required.
- Master’s degree in theology, Religious Studies or related field preferred.
- Clinical Pastoral Education certification or equivalent preferred.
Experience
- At least 5 years’ experience in pastoral ministry
- Demonstrated leadership experience in the Catholic Church’s ministerial and/or pastoral work with emphasis in some formational capacity.
- Experience in facilitating group processes and in conducting training programs, prayer experiences, and presentations.
- Demonstrated management experience including staff supervision, budget, and policy management.
Other Elements
- Demonstrated successful ability to enable staff to accomplish goals through collaboration, collegiality, and team organization.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, both verbal and written.
- Demonstrated ability to work with marginalized populations and collaborate with individuals and groups of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to qualify for work in correctional, hospital, and port facilities.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care and substance abuse and its related dynamic.
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
- Must possess a valid Washington driver’s license to travel with the Archdiocese of Seattle.
- Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
This position description describes the essential duties and qualifications of the position. It is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities, or qualifications of the position, nor does it describe everything. This document is open to modification under the direction of the Executive Director of the Office for the Vicar General, consistent with providing reasonable accommodation. This is not a contract. Your signature indicates you have had the opportunity to review and discuss your position description with your supervisor and that you understand the essential duties and essential qualifications of the job.
Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications.
Benefits: Eligible positions receive a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and disability, long term disability, pension, 403(b), HSA, FSA, and generous sick leave, vacation and holidays.
