Associate Director, Native American Affairs

Job Description

The Assistant Director is a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, who under the supervision of the Executive Director of Cultural Diversity in the Church assists in coordinating and implementing the US Bishops' Mission Directive for the Conference, and the associated pastoral efforts and priorities among Native American/Indigenous peoples and other ethnic and culturally diverse communities in the United States; It is the Assistant Director's responsibility to see to the implementation of approved standing committee and NA subcommittee goals, objectives and activities. The Assistant Director staffs the subcommittee on Native American Affairs and assists in the preparation of Committee and Subcommittee reports and documentation; represents USCCB, the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church (CCDC) the Subcommittee on Native American Affairs in national and international forums; and serves as the voice of the USCCB out in the field and as a strong in-house advocate for the communities served by the Secretariat and, in particular the Subcommittee. The Assistant Director demonstrates shared qualities of effectiveness in all work interactions.

Responsibilities:
1. Serves as staff to the Subcommittee on Native American Affairs; serves as a team member of the Secretariat of Cultural of Cultural Diversity and assists the executive director in staffing the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church.
2. Suggests and implements pastoral initiatives at the direction of the Subcommittee. In particular, the Assistant Director works with bishops, diocesan personnel and national organizations to assist with the implementation of the USCCB Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministries, Keeping Christ's Sacred Promise (2024)
3. Prepares documentation (e.g., drafts agenda, prepares updates, letters, reports, basic research and news articles) to advance the work of the Subcommittee on Native American Affairs and the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church.
4. Assists and collaborates with USCCB departments and offices, national Catholic organizations, particularly the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions and the Tekakwitha Conference, and diocesan personnel in assessing needs and developing culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and materials for the formation of pastoral ministers (ordained and lay), leadership development and evangelization of Indigenous communities, and strategic processes for the integration of Native peoples into the life and mission of the Church.
5. Maintains collaborative relationships and support with Native American ministry networks and national, regional and local pastoral centers/organizations, and serves as a resource to diocesan offices on Indigenous and intercultural ministry.
6. Assists dioceses in training pastoral leaders for ministry with Native/Indigenous peoples, including ministry to other Indigenous peoples of the Americas present in US. Dioceses, such as Mayas and others; provides guidance in the development and implementation of local orientation programs to serve within these communities.
7. Regularly consults and convenes pastoral leaders from the Native American Catholic communities to determine emerging needs and help the Subcommittee and the Secretariat discern appropriate pastoral responses.
8. Assists with the drafting of plans, programs, activities and budgets for review and approval by the Subcommittee and the Committee; implements the approved plans and programs within the determined time frame and approved priorities.
9. Assists the Executive Director in maintaining a collaborative relationship with the various national and international Catholic organizations and apostolic movements that serve as an integral part of the ministry offices' networks, including the Dicastery for Integral Human Development at the Vatican and the International Conference on Catholic Indigenous (ICCI).
10. Provides representation of the committee and the subcommittee in the forums and gatherings hosted by the specific ministry networks and with other collaborators and ministries within the USCCB, particularly on issues related to or effecting the lives and pastoral care of Native/Indigenous peoples.
11. Assists in CDC Secretariat-wide priorities, projects and tasks as needed.
12. When necessary, seeks outside funding sources to support approved initiatives, programs and projects.

Qualifications Required: Master's Degree or combination of Bachelor's degree and equivalent pastoral ministry experience in an archdiocese, national Catholic organization or religious community setting.

Major Field/Specialty: Social Sciences, Pastoral Ministry, Theology, Education, Humanities or a related field.

Other Specialized Training:
• Strong knowledge of and understanding of Catholic Church theology, structure and hierarchy.
• Expertise on and substantial pastoral experience working with Native/Indigenous communities
• Familiarity with social issues and concerns affecting culturally diverse communities being served
• Excellent written and verbal language skills, including experience in cross-cultural communications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, e-mail, Internet, etc. and use of social media platforms
• Strong managerial experience
• Excellent planning, organizing, facilitating and training experience and skills.

Language and other requirements: Fluency in a language spoken by any group under the responsibility of the Subcommittee on Native American Affairs or the wider Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church could be helpful. Qualified candidates of Native/Indigenous ancestry preferred.

Type and Nature of Professional Experience:
• Commitment to cultural diversity in the workplace and in ministry
• Pastoral ministry and experience in diversity initiatives and in cross-cultural work environment
• Related experience in a diocesan, national Catholic organization, or religious community setting
• Success in workshop/conference design and delivery
• Strong public speaking, writing and editing skills, including demonstrated experience producing clear and concise materials.
• Good time management and organizational skills with attention to details and problem-solving
• Record of accomplishments in program development
• Experience in strategic planning and implementation; developing and overseeing budgets
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures
• Commitment to collaborating with peers, colleagues and others to achieve mission goals and objectives

Number of Years Required: 5 to 7 years of directly related experience

Salary Range is $90,000 to $93,000

Applicants should apply using the link below:
https://www.irecruit-us.com/index.php?OrgID=I20121215&navpg=listings&olnew=1&slnew=29

About the Employer

Our mission is to support the ministry of bishops with an emphasis on evangelization, by which the bishops exercise in a communal and collegial manner certain pastoral functions entrusted to them by the Lord Jesus of sanctifying, teaching, and governing