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
The Parish Family Liaison Lead serves as the supervisor for the Parish Family Liaisons. They also serve as a Parish Family Liaison. Parish Family Liaisons provide front-line support to parish families as they restructure and re-envision parish life with the goal of bringing more people to the joy of Christ as described in Matthew 28. The Archbishop desires to unleash the creativity of the People of God to bring a new vibrancy to parish life and to the Church in Western Washington. Parish Family Liaisons work in partnership with multiple parish families’ pastors, parish and school staffs, and their lay leadership teams (pastoral councils, finance councils, school commissions, and others) to implement the parish family structure and develop a plan for becoming one vibrant canonical parish. The liaison provides guidance, coaching, accompaniment, and support, and serves as a bridge builder between the Partners in the Gospel core team, parish family pastor and staff, the Office of the Vicar for Clergy, and the office of Planning and Mission Effectiveness. Liaisons will be assigned to parish families geographically dispersed around the Archdiocese, making it advantageous to live in different parts of Western Washington.
Essential Position Duties
Supervisory Duties
- Provide regular and ongoing support to other parish family liaisons, including issue resolution, escalation and consultation.
- Assist in professional development and provide opportunities for spiritual development for liaisons.
- Perform HR functions related to supervision of the parish family liaisons including time off approval and evaluations.
- Provide regular updates to the Vicar General (and other leaders as appropriate) on issues and the status of parish families.
- Escalate issues that need immediate attention to the appropriate leader and VG.
- Develop agendas for and lead team meetings.
- Participate in Partners in the Gospel Steering Committee, Core Team and Project Management team meetings.
- Collaborate with the Director of Planning and Mission Effectiveness on Partners in the Gospel training, support materials and support needs of parish families.
General Support: In collaboration with pastor, key staff, and parish leadership.
- Serve as the primary advisor for pastors and parish families to create their strategic pastoral plan using the “One Parish Plan” model from the Partners in the Gospel program. It is anticipated that liaisons would meet routinely (at least monthly) with pastors and their leadership teams.
- Learn and be well-versed in the Partners in the Gospel resources and tools. Serves as a resource, facilitator, and support for group discernment including parish and school staff, consultative bodies, and groups of parishioners.
- Accompany pastors and their leadership team in the discernment of creative uses of the gifts that a parish family possesses as they re-envision parish life.
- Collaborate with other Catholic organizations and stakeholders in the community served by the parish family.
- Identify training needs for pastors, staff and lay leaders.
- Identify Partners in the Gospel tool and resource needs and changes, based on observation and feedback from parish families.
- Responsible for timeline management and progress tracking as parish families journey through implementation and planning efforts to become one canonical parish.
- Provides interculturally informed guidance in preparing agendas, raising key issues, supporting effective decision making, and other support to ensure effective meetings and tracks progress, key decisions, and ensures effective follow-up after meetings.
- Assist pastors and their family leadership partners in creating and executing effective communication channels with parish staff, leaders, and parishioners.
- Creates monthly status/progress report for each assigned parish family and reviews with the executive director of strategic and pastoral planning.
- This role requires routine contact with the 8-10 families assigned in a liaison’s geographical area. Contact will include routine travel to parish family locations that will be a significant drive from home. Use of videoconferencing will also be routine but is not a substitute for regular, in-person visits.
Primary
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Active member of a parish/faith community in good standing with the Church.
- Willingness and ability to support the mission of the Church by extending the ministry of the Archbishop.
- 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.
- Strong desire to help grow the Church.
- Proven pastoral leadership skills. Preference given to experience in serving the Church in employed or volunteer leadership roles.
- Demonstrated experience in diverse organizations and intercultural competency
- Bi-lingual –preferred (Spanish).
Education
Bachelors degree preferred or comparable experience.
Experience
- 8+ years experience and expertise in leadership, change leadership, and/or related areas of organizational development preferred.
- Background in working with churches and/or religious non-profit organizations preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver projects and programs to completion through disciplined management of tasks, deliverables, constituents and timelines.
- Ability to facilitate meetings, with pastors, their planning teams and parishioners as needed.
- Demonstrated ability to resolve conflict in complex situations.
- Possess emotional intelligence skills and ability to build trust between pastors and leadership team members.
- Strong verbal and written communications.
- Able to offer creative and imaginative ideas as part of supporting families.
- Experience with the process of spiritual discernment.
Other Elements
- Desire to grow in personal faith life and enthusiasm for sharing the joy of the Gospel.
- Grounded in spiritual practices. Curiosity to learn and understand the many works of the Church in western Washington and desire to apply professional skills to support further effectiveness of those efforts.
- Flexibility and emotional intelligence in working with small and large groups of different stakeholders in their discernment around making decisions.
- Strong working knowledge of, or strong willingness to learn, Catholic parish structures and organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of people including working in multicultural settings.
- Willing and able to work some evenings and weekends.
- Must possess vehicle, valid Washington driver’s license & insurance to travel throughout the Archdiocese.
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 modifications under the direction of the Archbishop, consistent with providing reasonable accommodation. This is not a contract. Your signature indicates you have had the chance to review and discuss your position description with your supervisor and that you understand the job's essential duties and qualifications.
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.
