The Chancery
POSITION SUMMARY: The Faith Formation Associate Director provides leadership, services, and resources to assist pastors and parish catechetical leaders in carrying out the catechetical mission of the Church. This position supports parishes to create a faith forming culture based on family catechesis. The Associate Director gives direction and vision for catechesis in the Diocese, engaging parents as the primary educators of their children and developing policies and guidelines in all aspects of faith formation, including sacramental preparation. This position collaborates with the Catholic Schools Superintendent and reports to the Senior Director for Evangelization.
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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING (and other duties as assigned):
Vision, Strategy, Leadership
o Promote the vision and implementation of family faith formation throughout the Diocese, partnering with Youth Ministry to focus on families with children up to 12th grade.
o Oversee development and implementation of a Diocesan curriculum for family faith formation: catechesis for children and their parents and sacramental preparation.
o Develop, select, and oversee the use of catechetical materials and resources for families:
parents and children up to 5th grade. Collaborate with Youth Ministry to select resources for
middle school and high school.
o Develop, update, and promote catechetical guidelines and policies through different communication mediums
o Responsible for providing and facilitating pastoral support for Catechesis for persons with special needs.
o Develop processes for the recruitment, approval, orientation, placement, ongoing formation, evaluation, and retention of parish faith formation leaders.
o Develop and equip catechetical leaders by providing training, formation, coaching, and mentoring.
o Support faith formation leaders and Catholic Schools principals by providing Catechist Certification based on foundational theological and methodology formation.
o Support faith formation leaders by providing diocesan recognition to catechists (St. Pius X Awards for years of volunteer service).
o Responsible for coordinating catechetical leader commissioning rites, opportunities for spiritual growth, and appreciation.
o Responsible for developing and executing a plan for the implementation of the Diocesan Plan Pastoral faith formation objectives.
Finances and Operations
o Convenes the Catechetical Advisory Board to listen to parish faith formation needs and evaluate catechetical curriculums and programs to ensure effectiveness.
o Articulate effective administrative policies and procedures.
o Identify problems and manage conflicts. DocuSign Envelope ID: C814D41D-4EB4-4982-9574-992C383576DA
o Plan, organize, and manage time according to priorities and responsibilities.
o Responsible for the faith formation budget.
o Maintain records and files for catechetical certifications and faith formation programs.
Collaboration and Communication
o Build relationships with and network among parish catechetical leaders, especially through regular cluster meetings.
o Connect with pastors on a one-on-one basis or at Deanery meetings. at least once a year to discuss faith formation needs, strengths and concerns at the parish.
o Collaborates with the Catholic Schools Department regarding faith formation needs, discuss processes to align formation between schools and parish programs; and catechist certification.
o Attends Region XI Catechetical Diocesan Directors meetings.
o Collaborate with other Directors and Associates in planning common projects and implementing Pastoral Plan initiatives regarding Faith Formation.
o Participate as an instructor for faith formation sessions in the Institute for Leadership in Ministry.
o Approve and maintain updated appropriate web content for Diocesan webpages and The Vine (Diocesan intranet).
o Maximize creative use of all communication channels to deliver information, including social media.
THIS POSITION SUPERVISES:
Catechetical Coordinator
QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM THE JOB SUCCESSFULLY:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, or physical demands required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Competence in oral and written communication.
Proficient in training, supervision, and administration.
Ability to facilitate effective meetings and group processes in person and via online meetings. Education and/or Experience:
B.A. in Theology, Pastoral Ministry, or related field
Preferred: Master’s degree in Catechetics, Theology, or Pastoral Ministry
Understanding of current principles in Catechetics, Faith Formation
Knowledge of major church documents related to evangelization, and catechesis
Minimum 5-7 years of proven leadership experience in catechesis. Language Skills: Must be multilingual – English and Spanish is preferred. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Proficient in composing reports, correspondence, and letters and in publishing newsletters and flyers.
Able to develop and facilitate workshops, training, and presentations.
Able to read and understand Church documents, guidelines, and professional journals.
Able to understand and explain policies and answer questions.
Able to write presentations and effectively present information and respond to questions from groups and individuals in multicultural diocesan, school, and parish settings.
Leadership Skills: Able to work effectively with multi-cultural schools and parishes. Strong ability to provide direction, inspiration, communication, and guidance. Exhibit confidence and commitment.
Computational Skills: Able to read and manage budget and contribute to building an office budget. Able to use external and internal websites and edit as appropriate.
Reasoning Ability: Able to solve problems, make sound decisions and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where varying degrees of standardization exist.
Technical Skills: Proficient Microsoft Office and working knowledge of internet applications and social media platforms.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Valid driver’s license.
Physical Demands: While performing duties of this job, the employee must be able to transport materials and equipment (up to 30 pounds) to and from various locations. The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods of time, use hands in repetitive motion tasks, handle objects, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must also be able to transport and set up items at an off-site location for presentations and events.
Physical Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in an individual open cubicle. The space is wheelchair accessible. Some work may be performed in various parish locations, including churches, halls, and classrooms. Noise level and accommodations will vary.
Working Conditions: The employee is required to be physically present in the office in order to complete office tasks and be out in the field supporting local parishes as needed. The employee needs to be available to work outside regular business hours as required and check in with and provide calendar to director. The employee must be able to multi-task and work cooperatively, negotiate, communicate, and collaborate with other members of the staff, youth leaders, youth ministers and clients of various cultures, personalities and spiritualities. Other Requirements: The employee must demonstrate a history of effective leadership, good judgment, initiative, confidentiality, and discretion.
Must be a practicing Catholic and have in-depth knowledge of Church structure, culture, and its mission.
Proven leadership ability with community, religious, social and professional organizations.
Familiarity with Santa Clara County, and the roles and responsibilities of parishes
An eagerness to collaborate with colleagues.
Ability to build professional trust, partner with stakeholders, and lead collaboration within and among parishes.
Ability and willingness to operate within a complex, culturally and economically diverse environment, including a multicultural work force.
SALARY RANGE: $75,000-95,000 per year base on education and experience.
How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to irma.g.alarconderangel@dsj.org