Youth and Young Adult Minister

Job Description

Youth & Young Adult Minister

Role Specifics (in compliance with Department of Labor FLSA policies):
• Position: Youth and Young Adult Minister
• Status: Full time, 12 months per year
• Supervisor: Pastor
• Faith: The Youth & Young Adult Youth Minister is a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.

Primary Job Function:
• The Youth and Young Adult Minister (YYAM) proclaims the Gospel primarily through implementing the parish's pastoral plan for youth and young adults in a framework that promotes lifelong formation in faith. The YYAM assists the Pastor in advocating a vision of comprehensive youth ministry (6th through 12th grade) as well as effective college and young adult evangelization (post-college) within the parish boundaries. This includes gathered diocesan and national events, prayer opportunities and missionary service to others. It also includes implementing a framework of formation of adults to assist, which is routinely scheduled outside of parish settings. Continued formation for parish leaders in the sacramental preparation for Confirmation is an expectation in coordination with Pastor.

Essential Position Responsibilities:
• The YYAM is the active and public face of youth and young adult ministry in the parish. This person needs to constantly be visible and present in parish communities and young adult functions. This recognized leader spends at least 50% of one's time in the communities as well as organizing volunteer leadership to take advantage of ministry opportunities.
• Responsible for growth in opportunities for teens to "internalize the faith" concentrating primarily in the following areas:
o Continuing to build on the foundation set with high school Confirmation and post-Confirmation programs
o Developing effective retreat ministry within the parish
o Helping teens and young adults develop small Christian communities
o Planning and leading participation in the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) or other national youth formation events
• Responsible for growth in opportunities for young adults concentrating primarily in the following areas:
o Planning, marketing and leading participation in national or international young adult celebrations
o Grow young adult gatherings in our parish
o Encouraging service opportunities in which young adults can put their faith in action
• Participates and seeks consultation and input at regular meetings will all employees involved with faith formation as well as input from the Pastor and his advisory committees.
• Informs the parish staff and parish leadership about documents and developments in the area of comprehensive youth and young adult ministry.
• Represents the parish in diocesan efforts and events to promote and educate about comprehensive youth and young adult ministry formation.
• Maintains a relationship with the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and the USCCB for consultation, support and resourcing.
• Tends to his/her own ongoing formation through participation in opportunities for professional and spiritual development.
• Supports a program of catechist formation according to diocesan certification norms.
• Well versed in effective "best practices" in youth ministry to assist parishes with a wide variety of needs.
• Recruiting and providing appropriate training for young adults to lead intentional small Christian communities, such as Novos on High.
• Fostering the involvement of young adults in the life of the parish, including serving on various parish committees and being involved in parish activities.
• Assures that appropriate legal responsibilities are met within the context of a diocesan/parish programming.
• Participates in the parish process for creation of the annual youth and young adult ministry budget.
• Conducts program evaluations and parish-wide assessments to determine effectiveness of opportunities and refine efforts.
• Coordinates recruitment, hospitality and honorariums for speakers and presenters.

Essential Relationships:
• Amanda Brent
• Tammy Bellrichard
• Fr. Jake Greiner
• Diocesan Staff-cooperation and communication and seek staff involvement and input when appropriate
• Diocesan Offices-regular communications, adherence to diocesan policies, participation in regional and national professional organizations

Preferred Education and Experience:
• Bachelor Degree in Theology, Catechesis, Youth Ministry or Pastoral Ministry
• Significant knowledge of and experience working with youth and young adults
• 3+ years in parish ministry or diocesan ministry

Position Specific Requirements:
• Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
o Pastoral Planning
o Basic Theology
o Adolescent Catechetical Theory and Formation Practice (current principles of youth and young adult ministry, catechetical documents)
o Program Development
o Evangelization Education and Training
o Certification as a Catechetical Leader
o Competent in presentations, facilitating meetings and writing

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This position works evenings and weekend as needed and travels regularly throughout the Diocese of Davenport.

About the Employer

Divine Mercy Parish is a welcoming Catholic community striving to embody Christ's teachings through worship, service, spiritual growth, and evangelization. Our parish encompasses 2/3 of Des Moines County in the State of Iowa. Through our ministry, we support a Pre-K through 12 Catholic School in the city of Burlington, IA, and serve approximately 1,400 registered families along with the other residents of our parish boundaries.