General Position Summary
The principal duty of all employees is to assist in the mission of the Church in the Diocese of Fort Worth. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Description
MINISTRY DESCRIPTION:
Assists the Director of Faith Formation. Plans, integrates implements, oversees, and evaluates the religious education and Sacramental preparation of the total parish community. Structures all catechetical formation in adherence to Magisterial teachings of the Catholic Church and in compliance with Diocesan Guidelines and directive.
Principal Accountabilities
General Administration
- Serves as an extension of the Director of Faith Formation in duties, but not decision-making authority.
- Serves as the primary point-of-contact for youth and young adult formation and religious education.
- Manages the proper storage and disposal of confidential information and personally identifiable information (PII) in accordance with policy and law.
Responsible for the operating administrative budget (as it applies to his/her respective position) according to Diocesan and parish policies.
- Coordinates with the Director of Faith Formation for next year’s budget submissions in accordance with promulgated deadlines.
- Coordinates with the Director of Faith Formation for the submission of monthly budget reports.
- Demonstrates dynamic problem-solving skills through adaptable and flexible leadership. Clarifies the needs and directives of supervisors, supervises and manages logistics, and clearly communicates resulting needs and barriers to success in a timely, professional manner.
- Fosters mutually responsive relationships with parish staff and the parish community at large.
- Mitigates conflicts quickly and charitably.
- Works independently and within teams on special nonrecurring and ongoing projects as assigned.
- Maintains a high level of attention to detail in the completion of administrative processes and procedures.
Assistance to the Director of Faith Formation
- Participates in the decision-making process by providing feedback and recommendations regarding total parish direction and activities.
- Assists the Director of Faith Formation in the articulation of the Diocesan Catechetical and Pastoral vision of Formation within the Parish.
- Fosters the process of Evangelization and Catechesis through the parish with focus on kerygmatic catechesis and Salvation History.
- Assists the Director of Faith Formation in the development and catechesis of parents in their role as primary teachers of the faith.
- Establishes and maintains a collaborative relationship with parishioners, including parents and families.
- Assists the Director of Faith Formation in obtaining approval of curriculum for all age levels of the parish in accordance with the Diocese of Fort Worth Catechetical Norms and Sacrament Guideline.
- Assists the Director of Faith Formation in the selection and purchase of catechetical materials (English & Spanish) for Parish dissemination – within budget guidelines and limitations.
- Assists with and supports sacramental preparation programs in the parish including R.C.I.A/O.C.I.A., Infant Baptism Preparation, and Sacrament Preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation
- Encourages all catechetical volunteers to participate in Diocesan catechist formation programs (Junipero Serra Institute; St. Francis de Sales Catechist Certification and Diocesan Catechetical Trainings.)
- Schedules, organizes, and ensures compliance with yearly Virtus Empowering God's Children (formerly Called to Protect) curriculum for youth and maintains record for audit.
- Ensures completed sacrament records are provided to responsible staff for sacrament record keeping, mails sacrament notification to the church of Baptism.
- Assists with development and organization of Children’s Liturgy of the Word.
- Responsible for all other projects, tasks, etc., as assigned.
Youth and Young Adult Formation
- Develops the yearly schedule of classes and programs for middle & high school students and sacrament preparation (Confirmation and R.C.I.A. Adapted for Youth).
- Responsible for oversite of all youth catechetical and sacramental preparation programs, meetings, and trainings.
- Works collaboratively with Clergy and Liturgy leaders to promote active youth worship including inclusive and participative liturgy and prayer opportunities.
- Responsible for developing, planning and implementing catechetical programs, meetings and retreats for Middle & High School youth, Confirmation preparation and RCIA Adapted for youth.
- Responsible for recruiting, developing and empowering parents and adult volunteers to mentor the youth through evangelization, catechesis, and relational ministry. Ensures all program and youth ministry volunteers meet the Diocesan Safe Environment requirements
- Maintains and oversees the expenditure related to Youth Ministry within the guidelines of the budget.
General Coordination and Management
- Coordinates with the Parish Coordinator to promote program registration.
- Coordinates with the Event Coordinator to schedule and publish Formation classes and programs.
- Maintains necessary youth formation program records and sacramental records according to Diocesan Guidelines.
- Makes certain that parish property is respected and appropriately used.
- Attends and actively participates in parish staff meetings and events, Safe Environment training and meetings, Diocesan gatherings, and related activities.
- Participates in ongoing formation and educational opportunities in the areas of Formation and Youth Ministry.
- Keeps the parish community informed of youth ministry and young adult activities.
- Communicates and cooperates with other parish and diocesan organizations.
Record Retention Responsibilties
- Maintains work process binder.
- Oversight of student records and sacrament preparation records for Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation and R.C.I.A./O.C.I.A.
- Maintains Catechist record for all youth ministry volunteers.
- Youth Formation Registration forms, student records and class attendance lists –5 years after school year completed.
- Class Attendance Lists – Permanent File.
- Cash Receipt Books – 3 years.
Internal Contacts
Typical Decisions and/or Recommendations Made in This Position:
- Diocese Pastors, Priests, Business Managers, and employees.
External Contacts
- Diocese, parishioners, vendors, local, state, and federal agency representatives, and auditors.
Working Conditions And/or Physical Requirements
- This position works in a typical office environment but is subject to stress due to the evolving and quickly expanding needs of the Diocese, tight deadlines and moderate workloads.
- Ability to sit and perform computer work for lengthy periods of time.
- Able to access and maintain centralized departmental files. Involves extending arms and reaching files stored in multiple levels on shelves, climbing up a stepladder to access files.
- Significant amount of time regularly spent on the telephone providing customer service support and problem solving for both internal and external customers.
- Ability to accept work interruptions while remaining focused on duties.
- Data entry via computer keyboard that requires repetitive and frequent hand and wrist movements.
- Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance and up to 60 pounds with assistance.
Travel Requirements
- Infrequent travel, by car, may be required to Diocese Parishes and/or schools.
Education And Experience Preferred
- Practicing Catholic, faithful to the Magisterium, and in good standing with the Catholic Church.
- Prior experience in Theology/Faith Formation/Catechesis, Religious Education or related field.
- Catechist certification, religious studies certificate or degree or equivalent preferred.
- Previous volunteer management, database management, and budget experience preferred.
Knowledge And Skills Preferred
- Ability to work well with people from a diverse variety of audiences.
- Ability to honor and maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to receive, understand, retain, and complete verbal and written tasks.
- Ability to work independently as well as in teams.
- Ability to work nights and weekends.
- Excellent organization, prioritization, and communication skills.
- Excellent presentation skills.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Demonstrated competency and knowledge of catechetical methodology and pedagogy in accordance with Magisterial Documents on Catechesis.
- Demonstrated competency in theology and catechetics.
- Demonstrated competency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Parish Data Systems.
- Demonstrated history of good judgement.
- Demonstrated aptitude for adaptability and flexibility.
- General ability and willingness to learn, use, troubleshoot, and implement/teach technology.
- Bilingual (Spanish/ English) is highly desirable, but not required.
FLSA Designation: Non-Exempt, Part-time, 29 hours per week.
