Director of Office of Faith Formation

Job Description

JOB TITLE Director of Office of Faith Formation

DEPARTMENT Ministries Office

DATE 05/2025 FLSA STATUS Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of the Office of Faith Formation is responsible for the strategic leadership, development, and administration of comprehensive faith formation programs within the diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, in service to all the People of God, especially in parishes and catholic schools. This role fosters lifelong discipleship and spiritual growth by overseeing catechetical initiatives for children, youth, adults, and families, ensuring all programs are faithful to Catholic teaching and aligned with the mission of the Church.
The Director brings to the work a strong theological background, pastoral sensitivity, and a passion for cultivating vibrant faith communities. The Director also collaborates closely with clergy, parish and school staff, and diocesan leadership to implement effective evangelization and faith formation strategies, train and support catechetical leaders and catechists, and create engaging opportunities for learning and formation.

JOB RESPONSIBILITES

Parish Catechetical Leaders and Catechist Formation
Offer direction, leadership and services to assist parishes in matters of catechesis.
Coordinate formation for parish catechetical leaders; facilitate sessions and meetings in regions.
Develop and facilitate the process of certification of catechists in collaboration with parish catechetical leaders.
Provide formation for Adult Faith Formation coordinators and catechists and assist parishes in developing a pastoral plan for Adult Faith Formation
Establish and promote the realization of the Office of Lay Catechist, per Can. 775 1 and the motu proprio, Antiquum ministerium
Coordinate Faith Formation Day

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Assist the Evangelization and Liturgy Offices in the formation of OCIA teams in parishes.
Facilitate on-going development and implementation of the OCIA adapted for children.
Support the catechetical formation of Catholic adults in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Family Catechesis
Direct the development and implementation of family catechesis in parishes
Assist parishes in coordinating resources and ideas in service to family catechesis

Sacramental Catechesis
Assist parishes in planning and implementing sacramental catechesis for Sacraments of Initiation and the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Facilitate the ongoing development and implementation of diocesan Sacramental Guidelines
Assist parishes in implementing the diocesan Sacramental Guidelines, especially in establishing a Restored Order for Confirmation, in collaboration with the Liturgy Office
Assist parishes in selection of catechetical materials for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist
Establish and support programs for post-baptismal catechesis for parents

Safe environment -
Assist the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in providing direction for the Safe Environment sessions for the children/youth in the parish faith formation programs.
Assist the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in completing the parts of the USCCB Safe Environment Report pertaining to the training of the children/youth.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Coordinate the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd throughout the diocese and serve as a resource person.
Arrange for the formation of catechists for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Coordinate gatherings for parish/school coordinators of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Lay Formation Institute:
Assist Director of the Lay Formation Institute in providing comprehensive formation for catechesis and catechetical leaders

Collaboration with Office of Schools
Coordinate with Schools Office in providing for catechist formation of teachers and aides for Catholic schools and parish Discovery/Preschools.
Assist the schools, especially the second-grade teachers, in coordinating sacramental catechesis with parishes
Work with the schools in developing family catechesis within the schools and encouraging participation in parish family catechesis

Support to Parishes
Assist parishes as needed with summer programs for children/youth.
Support efforts of parishes for intergenerational and life-long faith formation.
Visit parish faith formation sessions and sacramental catechesis, offering support and consultation on catechetical matters.
Assist parishes in meeting the catechetical needs of persons with disabilities.

General Responsibilities
Assist with the development of catechetical resources for the various special years determined by the Pope, the USCCB and the Bishop
Create awareness of the Directory for Catechesis and other Church documents dealing with catechesis
Ongoing development of Diocesan Guidelines for Faith Formation.
Serve as a liaison for the diocese to national and provincial organizations involved in the ministry of faith formation and ministry formation (e.g. NCCL, FCDD)
Maintain the Faith Formation section of the diocesan website
Prepare and coordinate the Faith Formation office budget and financial matters.
Coordinate with other Ministries Offices on programs and events

SUPERVISION

SUPERVISED BY: Chief of Evangelization and Mission Engagement

SUPERVISES: None

LEADS/GUIDES: Religious Educators and Catechetical Leaders of various programs and processes of the Diocese

JOB SPECIFICATONS

EDUCATION: Master's degree (M.A.) in theology or equivalent, preferred.

EXPERIENCE: At least four years related experience and/or training.

LICENSE: Valid state driver's license; must pass background screening, credit check and all diocesan requirements for employees.

CERTIFICATIONS: Catechist Certification, preferred

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: Must be a practicing Catholic

SKILLS: Organizational and planning skills, capacity for teamwork, communication skills, information gathering and information monitoring skills, problem analysis and problem-solving skills, judgment and decision-making ability, initiative, confidentiality, attention to detail and accuracy.

PERSONAL TRAITS: Must be flexible and able to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure; communicate effectively and speak publically; deal with people from all socioeconomic backgrounds; must have a professional appearance and demeanor.

WORK CONDITIONS: Primarily an inside environment, protected from weather, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Requires travel to all parts of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/TRAITS: Perceive characteristic of objects through the eyes; express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word; perceive the nature of sounds by the ear; sit for prolonged periods of time; able to lift, carry, push or pull 25 lbs maximum and/or carrying of 50 lbs.

About the Employer

The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, founded in 1975, covers the 18 most northwestern counties of the State of Florida. Although the diocese is young, its roots go back to the first European settlement of this region. A fleet of ships carrying 1,500 colonists sailed into what is now Pensacola Bay on August 15, 1559. On behalf of the Spanish crown, Don Tristan de Luna established the first settlement in what was to become the United States of America. The settlement was abandoned in 1561 due to damage from hurricanes that destroyed the settlers' supplies.

Our diocese enjoys the distinction of being a "dual see" diocese. It has two centers from which the bishop governs - Pensacola and Tallahassee.