Title:Interim Director of Lifespan Faith Formation
Job Type: Full Time, 1-2 years
FLSA Status: Exempt
Report To: Minister
Overview:
Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, a program sized congregation with over 300 adult members and 100 enrolled youth participants, seeks a full time Interim Director of Lifespan Faith Formation. The Interim Director of Lifespan Faith Formation is responsible for leading the development and execution of religious education across all age groups for the congregation under the guidance of the Minister and through the lenses of the five developmental tasks of interim work (engaging institutional history, discovering congregational identity, managing shifts in power and authority, maintaining linkages to Unitarian Universalism, and developing new leadership.) This is a 1-2 year position that prepares the congregation for new leadership in Faith Formation.
This position supervises a part-time Assistant Faith Formation position and several classroom leadership positions as well as a nursery position. VUU is located in the Phoenix metro area, in the city of Chandler, AZ and is a vibrant community with thriving faith formation programs that include the Our Whole Lives curriculum alongside regular Sunday programming, multi-generational Sunday programming, a robust Coming of Age program, and adult faith formation programs that include spiritual and educational programming.
Essential Functions:
- Align our ministry and Faith Formation programs for children and youth with VUU’s mission and ends, the needs of the congregation’s children, youth, and families, and our Unitarian Universalist principles.
- Foster a supportive, engaged, and joyful multigenerational and multiculturally-aware community.
- In collaboration with volunteers, staff, and participants, develop a meaningful and robust youth ministry program. Emphasize creating positive community experiences and relevant programming for youth and families of color and our LGBTQAI+ families and youth. Foster connections with regional and national UU youth communities.
- Develop and coordinate age appropriate curriculum and programming for all age groups, including but not limited to Sunday morning youth religious education.
- Recruit, train, support, collaborate with, and manage Faith Formation volunteers. Foster a supportive and connective culture in which people love to volunteer. Utilize a volunteer advisory team towards this purpose.
- With support from the Faith Formation Assistant, manage the overall administration of the program. Develop and manage the budget. Coordinate annual registration process for RE program. Keep RE attendance records and provide data as requested.
- Recruit, train, and supervise paid staff members, which include Sunday teachers and childcare providers.
- Provide weekly updates for church publications with regard to Faith Formation programs. Provide website updates as needed. Communicate with parents and volunteers directly or through other communication vehicles.
- Provide professional development and performance management to paid staff and volunteers as necessary.
- Work with the minister and lay leaders to schedule and plan services for all ages and coordinate youth participation in selected worship services.
- Work with the minister and lay leaders to engage interim tasks.
- Work with the minister, staff, and volunteers to plan and deliver special educational events.
- Collaborate with minister, staff, and volunteer leaders to ensure seamless execution of educational offerings and events within the broader congregational context.
- Pursue professional development opportunities, including interim training. Maintain an active membership in LREDA, our national professional organization for Unitarian Universalist religious educators.
- As a staff member, help to create a positive and welcoming church staff culture. Participate in weekly staff meetings, retreats, and other appropriate events.
- Take part in Faith Formation-related fundraising activities and events that spread knowledge about our family-focused activities at VUU.
- Provide direction and coordination for Adult Faith Formation and use of digital and physical meeting spaces and other resources.
- Manage educational supplies, curricula, resources, and equipment.
- Abide by Safe Congregation guidelines at all times.
- Must have regular and reliable attendance.
- Other duties as assigned by the Minister.
- Actively demonstrate and promote Unitarian Universalist values.
CORE COMPETENCIES & QUALIFICATIONS
Mission Focused
- Works to further the mission and ends of VUU
- Knowledge of and respect for the living tradition of Unitarian Universalism
- Able to nurture the development of UU identity for our children, youth, adults and families
- Personal and professional commitment to and proven competency in antiracism and in fostering diversity and inclusion
Interpersonal Skills
- Engages children, youth, and adults warmly and respectfully
- Demonstrates active listening, clear communication, and collaborative problem solving
- Holds others accountable in a spirit of love, while supporting their success
- Compassionately and effectively engages and resolves interpersonal conflict
- Demonstrates sensitivity to others while modeling appropriate and healthy boundaries
- Acts in a professional manner and maintains confidentiality
- Able to connect with members, staff, and others in ways that affirm and empower
Team Building & Shared Leadership Skills
- Exhibits strong team leadership and functions effectively as team member
- Demonstrates initiative and ability to be collaborative
Volunteer & Staff Management
- Experience in recruiting, managing, coordinating, and guiding volunteers
- Demonstrates ability to select, train, support, and supervise staff
Other Core Competencies
- Knowledge of faith formation, learning theory, and curriculum development
- Creative leadership that fosters program and community engagement within our growing congregation
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Ability to multi-task and set priorities, with good organizational skills
Qualifications:
- Education/Experience:
- Prefer at least 3 years of experience in Religious Education, Teaching, and / or Youth Ministry with a preference for someone with experience and/or training in interim roles. If no interim experience, training for interim service will be part of the duties of this position.
- BA / BS in related field preferred
- Mathematical Skills: Basic math functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- Other skills: Knowledge of Google Suite, Breeze church software, and other programs for managing collaborative projects and data.
- Work Hours: Ability to work most Sundays and occasional holidays. Work week is Sunday through Thursday most weeks.
- Religious Affiliation: Identified Unitarian-Universalists preferred but not required
Position to be filled beginning August 1, 2024. Pay Scale: $55,000- 65,000/year based on experience and qualifications. Benefits include generous vacation and sick leave, options for health, vision and dental insurance, and retirement contributions.
Inquiries, Resume and Letter of Introduction can be sent to: minister@vuu.org
References upon request.
All potential candidates must pass a background check.