Position Title: Director of Ministry Formation
Department: Youth Faith Formation
Reports To: Executive Director
Office: 1011 First Avenue, New York, NY 10701
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
About the Department:
The mission of the department is build the Kingdom of God by supporting, training, and resourcing the parishes of the Archdiocese of New York in their ministry to evangelize and form young people and their families from birth to twelfth grade. Made up of a team of ministry experts and consultants that work collaboratively, the department marries the richness of Catholic Church with understanding of the needs of today’s young people and families to foster disciples of Jesus in the community of the Catholic faith.
Essential Position Duties and Responsibilities:
- The Director of Ministry Formation works collaboratively with departmental staff to identify, develop, schedule, and supervise comprehensive formation for catechists, early childhood teams, youth ministry teams, and parish faith formation leaders (directors/coordinators of religious education, coordinators of youth ministry, etc.)
- Provide expertise in adult learning as it relates to ministry formation
- Use creative and engaging means to foster not only the skills needed for ministry but a deeper relationship with Christ and understanding of one’s Catholic faith
- Work closely with the director of children’s faith formation, director of youth ministry, and the digital learning and technology specialist
- Further the archdiocesan mission to live, proclaim, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by working closely and collaboratively with offices of Adult Faith Formation, Catholic Schools, Ethnic Apostolates, Family Life, Liturgy, Respect Life, and Young Adult Outreach
- Work in collaboration with the staff of the department of youth faith formation to promote and support comprehensive ministry with young people and their families from birth to twelfth grade
- Work collaboratively with the director of children’s ministry and the director of youth ministry to develop and provide spiritually, theologically, ministerially, and academically sound comprehensive programs of preparation for parish faith formation leaders, and catechists, early childhood team members, youth ministry team members
- Work collaboratively with departmental team to develop various effective opportunities to meet the identified learning needs of their constituents
- Given content parameters from relevant team members and experts, design engaging Ministry Formation courses that can be delivered both online—as part of an LMS—or in-person
- Collaborate closely with the online learning and technology specialist to ensure quality online formation including designing and updating courses, assisting faculty, running and sending reports
- With assistance from the departmental staff, identify, train, and support in-person and online faculty
- In collaboration with the director of regional specialists, organize regular regional in-person formation opportunities
- Monitor progress and send updates to regional specialists on catechist, youth ministry team member, and early childhood certifications
- Deliver/facilitate effective training courses
- Remain up-to-date on the latest guidance regarding catechesis and ministry from the Vatican and the USCCB and archdiocesan safe environment policies
- In collaboration with other members of the departmental staff, evaluate and update archdiocesan faith formation policies and procedures
- Participate in the planning and implementation of departmental gatherings and events
- Provide content for departmental newsletter
- Collaborate on the planning and implementation of departmental events and gatherings
- Collaborate with the department’s social media presence by creating regular content
- Submit periodic project reports to the Executive Director
- Attend departmental team and working-group meetings
- Complete other duties, as needed
Required Education, Experience and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in education, adult learning, theology, religious education/catechetics, or pastoral ministry; Master’s degree preferred
- 5+ years of experience in designing and facilitating adult learning experiences and programs
- Experience as a catechist, youth ministry team member, director/coordinator of religious education, or youth ministry coordinator
- Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus
- Exhibits on continually growing expertise on trends, methods, teachings, and research in adult learning
- Actively growing in one’s faith and able to be a witness of Christ through a life of authenticity and integrity as a Roman Catholic in good standing
- An understanding with the foundational and catechetical documents of the universal and United States Catholic Church, such as Catechism of the Catholic Church, Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council, Directory for Catechesis, Co-workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, Renewing the Vision, etc.
- Strong interpersonal skills, organizational, time-management, and communication skills
- Interculturally competent with a strong sensitivity and awareness of the multicultural reality of the archdiocese
- Enjoys being an active member of a team in a joyful work environment
- Ability to work collaboratively with others as well as be self-motivated and work independently
- Able to work flexible schedule that may include nights and weekends as needed
- A valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout the archdiocese
- Familiarity with learning management systems, Articulate Rise, and other course authoring systems
- Proficient in MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and online navigation and research
- Facility with a variety of technological tools used for learning and formation (e.g. digital projectors, laptops, tablets, smart phones, etc.)
- Familiarity with online team collaborative programs such as Slack, Sharepoint, Dropbox, etc. a plus
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to: Ela.Milewska@archny.org