Regional Director of Youth Formation and Discipleship

Position Summary:

The Regional Director of Youth Formation and Discipleship oversees the faith formation and discipleship efforts of youth (Grades 7-12) and young adults at multiple parishes in a localized geographical area within the Diocese of Greensburg.  The Regional Director provides leadership to assist the parish communities in building a solid foundation in youth spirituality, discipleship, catechesis, and ministry through a variety of processes.

The position is full-time, exempt.  The ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, is necessary to succeed in this position.

The position reports to the Managing Director of Faith, Family, and Discipleship at the Diocese of Greensburg and works collaboratively with multiple pastors, clergy, and parish communities.  The Managing Director of the Office of Faith, Family, and Discipleship will provide important supervision and collaboration in the establishment of this regional position to meet the Bishop’s vision of a creative, experiential faith formation and discipleship process that is in line with the mission, moral, and social teachings, doctrines, and laws of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Regional Director of Youth Formation and Discipleship will have office and storage space at multiple locations.

Regular Responsibilities:

1. Designs catechetical programs for junior high and high school youth which support lifelong faith formation and discipleship.
   1. Conducts needs assessments in each of the parish locations.
   2. Integrates insights from current catechetical literature, especially the Directory for Catechesis and the various exhortations of Pope Francis, especially Christus Vivit, into program planning.
   3. Develops goals, objectives, and strategies for the youth and young adult faith formation program, which includes multiple engaging models (kerygmatic, catechumenal, experiential, relational, intergenerational, family, etc.).
   4. Articulates a vision/direction for the regional youth ministry program.
   5. Pursues further education and professional development.

2. Develops a comprehensive approach toward youth and young adult faith formation.
   1. Designs youth and young adult programs which meet the needs of the multiple parish communities.
   2. Recruits, trains, supervises and evaluates youth ministers, catechists, and support staff from all parish locations.
   3. Maintains relationships with the pastors, other parish staff of the various parishes, other regional catechetical staff, and the Diocesan Office of Faith, Family, and Discipleship.
   4. Develops individual programs for parishioners with special religious education needs, including among college students away from the parish.
   5. Is responsible for fulfilling all diocesan requirements regarding youth ministry programs (e.g., number of contact hours with students, implementation of Safe Environment requirements for youth ministers, catechists, and students).
   6. Is responsible for the acquisition and maintenance of materials and equipment necessary for the various programs.

3. Directs the implementation of ongoing management of the parishes’ youth formation and discipleship programs.
   1. Identifies and enables leadership within the various parish communities to take responsibility for program components.
   2. Adjusts program components (space, time, materials, and physical resources) as needed, utilizing all locations within the region.
   3. Creates and monitors a budget (income and revenue allocation) for the operations of the program.
   4. Obtains resources (AV, textbooks, liturgy materials) that complement the youth formation efforts in the parish.
   5. Negotiates for space and other physical environment requirements.
   6. Coordinates liturgical/sacramental functions for Confirmation preparation components at multiple parish locations.
   7. Communicates with participants, parents, and parish communities to keep them informed of youth formation and discipleship efforts.
   8. Encourages teen involvement in parish life at each parish, including involvement in appropriate parish ministries and activities.

4. Evaluates the youth and young adult formation programs of the region in relation to the goals, objectives, and strategies.
   1. Conducts program evaluations at all levels and locations.
   2. Collates evaluation information and gives feedback to appropriate groups.
   3. Adjusts youth and young adult formation programs in relation to parish feedback and current diocesan guidelines.
   4. Meets with coordinators of programs to elicit further information regarding evaluation and future planning.

Programs of Responsibility:

The Regional Director of Faith Formation and Discipleship will oversee the total formation and discipleship efforts of multiple parishes.  Because of the scope of the job description, delegation of certain programs to trained staff or volunteers will be necessary for success.  The areas of oversight will include:

1. Junior High and High School Faith Formation
2. Youth Ministry
3. Youth Confirmation
4. Christian Initiation Adapted for Youth and Young Adults
5. Vacation Bible School
6. Small Christian Communities
7. Young Adult Formation
8. Training and Ongoing Formation of Youth Ministers and Catechists.

Minimum Qualifications:

The Regional Director of Faith Formation and Discipleship must be a practicing Catholic in good standing and a registered member of a Catholic parish faith community. The Regional Director must possess the ability to respect, promote, accommodate, and not be in conflict with the mission, moral, and social teachings, doctrines, and laws of the Roman Catholic Church.  In addition, the Regional Director of Faith Formation and Discipleship is expected to have the following qualifications:

1. BA in Theology or Religious Education or related field (MA preferred – Lay Ecclesial Ministry certificates will be considered with 5 years of consummate experience in leading and developing creative parish or diocesan youth formation and discipleship processes).
2. 3 years experience as a parish youth minister or equivalent position.
3. Familiarity with the Directory for Catechesis and other magisterial documents, including the exhortations of Pope Francis, Sons and Daughters of the Light, and Renewing the Vision.
4. Familiarity with various models of catechetical formation for youth.
5. Valid driver’s license and ability to drive to multiple locations with self-provided reliable transportation.
6. Must successfully pass Criminal Background Checks and complete Safe Environment requirements for the Diocese of Greensburg and sustain this clearance.

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.  The Diocese of Greensburg offers generous health, vision, and dental benefits.  The Diocese of Greensburg also offers 15 paid holidays annually, paid vacation and sick time, and a matching 403b retirement plan.

Resume with cover letter should be directed to Human Resources, Diocese of Greensburg, 723 E. Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, or electronically at [email protected].  Resumes will be accepted until June 30, 2023.