Interim Director of Faith Development Wanted

First Unitarian Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, a thriving Unitarian Universalist congregation of 290 gathered in 1785, seeks an experienced, professional religious educator to serve full-time through July 2018.  

Working under the supervision of the Minister, and with the support of the Children’s Coordinator, Youth Ministry Assistant, lay leaders, and volunteers, the ideal candidate will provide leadership for the Faith Development programs which foster spiritual growth in children, youth and families.  In addition, together with the Minister and lay leaders, the Interim Director of Faith Development will evaluate current Faith Development programs, make recommendations for the future, and help prepare the church for a successful transition to a permanent Director of Faith Development.  

The Faith Development Program’s total enrollment is 90 children and youth.  During Sunday services, it provides childcare to the very young, and small classroom settings for children K-8.   A middle school youth group meets monthly, and a senior high youth group meets weekly on Sunday evenings.  Approximately once every six weeks, the Minister and Interim Director of Faith Development plan an intergenerational Sunday service.  

The Church follows UUA guidelines on salary and offers a competitive benefits package that includes professional development expenses. A full job description is below. Please send resume and letter of interest to minister@firstunitarian.com. Deadline for applications is Jan. 16, 2018.

First Unitarian Church in the Second Parish of Worcester, Massachusetts

Interim Director of Faith Development

Reports to: Minister

Effective date: December 19, 2017

Directly supervises: Children’s Coordinator

Status: Full-time, temporary (through July 2018)

FLSA: Exempt

Job Summary

Provide leadership for Faith Development programs which foster spiritual growth in children, youth and families. Together with the Minister and lay leaders, evaluate current Faith Development programs and help prepare the church for a successful relationship with a permanent Director of Faith Development.

Essential Functions

• Provide overall leadership for Faith Development programming for children, youth and families, with a goal of deepening spiritual identity
  

• Implement curricula for children and youth
  

• Lead Faith Development teams to recruit and support capable volunteers
  

• Manage smooth execution of the Sunday morning Faith Development program, including meeting contingencies
  

• Evaluate current Faith Development programs against the mission of the Church and the best practices within liberal religion
  

• Direct the work of the Faith Development staff to support children and youth programming
  

• Ensure robust communication of Faith Development programs throughout the Church community
  

• Manage the Faith Development budget within limits set by the Minister
  

Other Responsibilities

• Encourage the participation of children and youth in the life of the congregation
  

• Collaborate with the Minister on multigenerational worship services
  

• Maintain proper records of Faith Development registration and attendance
  

Minimum Qualifications

• 5 or more years of experience as a professional religious educator
  

• Experience administering and organizing volunteers and staff to meet goals
  

• Demonstrated knowledge of Unitarian Universalist theologies and faith development philosophies
  

• Strong computer skills, including MS Office, web-based applications and social media
  

• Strong written, interpersonal and public communication skills
  

Core Competencies

• Integrity and Trust: Is seen as trustworthy by others; practices direct, honest and transparent communication; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t operate with hidden agendas; responds to situations with constancy and reliability.
  

• Creativity and Innovation: Generates new ideas; makes new connections among existing ideas to create fresh approaches; takes acceptable risks in pursuit of innovation; learns from mistakes; has good judgment about which creative ideas and suggestions will work
  

• Strategic Management: Is future oriented and can visualize the larger picture of where the congregation is heading; identifies and prioritizes strategic objectives that are consistent with the vision of the congregation; creates effective breakthrough objectives to carry out strategies; balances risk with desired outcomes.
  

• Safety: Affirms and follows all recommended safety guidelines for the protection and well-being of children, youth, members, and friends of the church; assesses risk wisely; takes on appropriate responsibility for the safety of those in their care
  

• Interpersonal Skills: Establishes good working relationships with all others who are relevant to the completion of work; works well with people at all levels of the congregation; builds appropriate rapport; considers the impact of their actions on others; uses diplomacy and tact; is approachable; avoids communication triangles.
  

• People/Volunteer Management: Provides direction, gains commitment, facilitates change and achieves results through the efficient, creative and responsible deployment of volunteers; engages people in their areas of giftedness and passion