Title: Director of Religious Education
Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Salaried Exempt Position
Hours Required: Part time, hours and schedule detailed in annual contract. Sunday mornings mandatory, other hours flexible as arranged.
Organizational Relationship: Employed by board of trustees, under the supervision of the minister and in consultation with the Chair of the Religious Exploration Council
Position Summary:
The Director of Religious Education provides leadership, direction, general administration and supervision for the religious exploration program for all ages. The position works with the Religious Exploration Council and Minister to design and implement programming including training and supervising teachers and volunteers. The Director is responsible for coordinating all church child care and the supervision of child care providers.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
· Direct and supervise Sunday program, including classes and childcare. Welcome, orient and assist new children and families in partnership with the Religious Exploration Council.
· Coordinate and lead occasional Children’s Chapel.
· Program Development
o Lead program development, implementation and evaluation, working in consultation with the Minister and Religious Exploration Council.
o Review curriculum from the UUA and other sources. Provide information and guidance to Religious Exploration Council and volunteers.
o Keep abreast of new Unitarian Universalist Religious Education programs, teaching techniques and resources.
· Development , support and supervision of teachers and volunteers
o Recruit teachers and program volunteers to support the Religious Exploration program.
o Coordinate training for teachers and volunteers. Provide orientation to teachers and educate them about routine, resources, supplies and equipment.
o Assist with development of timely lesson plans. Offer resources as needed.
· Coordinate special worship such as RE Sunday, in coordination with the Minister
· Administration
o Manage RE registration. Keep accurate records for attendance, programs, financial expenditure and other related documentation.
o Communicate effectively with the congregation about religious education.
o Work with the Religious Exploration Council to create and manage the RE budget.
o Work with the Religious Exploration Council to maintain adequate supplies, technical equipment and other sundries to ensure a positive teaching environment.
· Organizational Communication
o Meet regularly with minister to review current and future programs.
o Attend staff meetings.
o Plan and lead monthly Religious Exploration Council meetings with the Religious Exploration Council Chair.
· Participation in Liberal Religious Education Directors cluster meetings and educational opportunities. Attend UUA Regional Conferences and workshops.
· Child Care
o Arrange for child care providers for Sunday services and church events.
o Select and supervise child care providers, ensure children receive safe and positive care.
Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree in education or equivalent background.
· Knowledge of child development, childhood behavior, and appropriate teaching techniques
· At least 3 years’ experience in religious education or as an educator in a school, preschool, or nonprofit setting – teaching, selecting curriculum, and effectively presenting material.
· Strong organizational and administrative skills.
· Good relational and volunteer management skills; training and coaching volunteers, coordinating events.
· Skill, tact, diplomacy and proficiency in working with adults, parents, youth and children.
· Detail oriented and self-motivated with the ability to plan and manage complex events and programs. Must be able to work independently and with a team.
· Strong ethics and ability to manage confidential information.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
· Computer software skills – email, web searches, social media and utilization of Word and other related programs.
· Experience in supervising paid staff.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
· Must be able to physically work in a class room environment.
· Must be able to verbally communicate with the use of a telephone and be clearly understood.
· Must be physically able to utilize a keyboard.
· Must be able to travel as required; maintain current driver’s license.
· Must be physically able to traverse the church campus including the use of stairs.
Core Competencies
· Mission Ownership
Demonstrates understanding and full support of the mission and values of the congregation; can demonstrate those values to others; consistently behaves in a manner congruent with the mission and values.
· 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.
· Attention to Detail
Consistently attends to the many small pieces which must be assembled into and organized whole; follows up on missing or out of balance items; resolves unanswered questions needed to address a problem; keeps the larger picture in mind while tending to the smallest of details.
· Time Management
Is able and willing to focus time on tasks that contribute to organizational goals; uses time effectively and efficiently; values time respects the time of others; concentrates efforts on the most important priorities; can appropriately balance priorities.
· Team Orientation
Demonstrates interest, skill and success in team environments; promotes group goals ahead of personal agendas; steps up to offer self as a resource to other members of the team; understands and supports the importance of teamwork; shares credit for success with others; takes responsibility for part in team failures.
· 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.
· Hospitality/Accessibility
Generates a sense of hospitality and/or accessibility by very presence; communicates a sense of availability, warmth, openness and approachability; fosters natural connections between members of the congregation and visitors; supports a culture of welcoming and connection in the life of the congregation.
Prepared by / Reverend Shelley Page and Religious Exploration CouncilApproved by / Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden Board of Trustees May 24, 2016
Revision Status
Prepared by: Reverend Shelley Page and the Religious Exploration (RE) Council
Approved by: Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden Board of Trustees
May 2016