Religious Activities and Education Director jobs in White Plains, NY

Title: Director of Lifespan Religious Education

Congregation: Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York

Job Posting Website: https://4thumusic.weebly.com/

Application Instructions:
People with disabilities, people of color, indigenous people, Hispanic/Latinx, and LGBTIQ candidates are encouraged to apply. Fourth Universalist is committed to developing a diverse and talented staff team. If you are excited about this role but unsure whether you meet 100% of the requirements, we encourage you to inquire and/or apply.

We are a great place to work and we value diversity. Fourth Universalist is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to the full inclusion of all. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that applicants and staff with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact office@4thu.org.

Send the following items to dresearch@4thu.org (indicating "DLRE" in the subject line):

• Your résumé
• A cover letter

Together, our search team will review submissions and we hope to begin interviews as soon as possible.

Application Deadline:
April 29, 2024 or until filled

Position Starting Date:
June 1, 2024

Church Website: www.4thu.org
We are an equal opportunity employer and abide by the Unitarian Universalist Association Fair Compensation Guidelines. Below is the job description for our Director of Lifespan Religious Education position.

Reports to: Minister
Directly Supervises: Religious Education Assistant and Childcare Provider
Status: 3/4 Time (30 hours/week)
FLSA: Exempt
Compensation Range: $52,425 - $58,275/year
Benefits Include: Prorated Paid Time Off, healthcare, vision & dental, 401k contribution, $4,000 in professional expenses annually, annual COLA, one Sunday off per month

Job Summary:The Director of Lifespan Religious Education will provide dynamic leadership and oversight to the congregational religious education program for children, families, and adults, and create a thriving multigenerational community.

Essential Functions:

General

• Proactively communicate and nurture relationships with the congregation, Board, Religious Education Ministry Team, families, volunteers and staff, both on Sunday morning and during the week
• Collaborate with Minister, Music Director, Worship Team, and guest ministers in preparing the Time for All Ages, multigenerational worship services/elements, and services tied to educational themes/programming
• Oversee religious education budget
• Participate in staff, board and congregational meetings when requested
• Maintain contact with membership colleagues in other congregations and with the wider denomination through involvement in the Liberal Religious Educator's Association (LREDA) and/or other professional and denominational organizations
• Actively deepen congregational commitments to anti-racist/anti- oppressive/multicultural practices and perspectives
• Ensure a safe learning environment through implementation and regular review of the Safe Congregation Policy
• Other duties as assigned by the Minister

Children and Youth

• Manage and direct all religious education programs for children and youth
• Ensure that RE Staff and volunteers articulate strong curriculum vision and execute quality lesson plans for Sunday classes
• Ensure that RE Staff and volunteers prioritize quality materials and classroom setup
• Train RE Staff and volunteers to create a safe and joyful supervised play in the gym on Sunday afternoons
• Recruit, train, and nourish a strong core of volunteer teachers
• Provide accurate records of registration, attendance, and volunteering
• Provide pastoral support and guidance to families, children, and youth, and knowing when to inform/involve the Minister about pastoral care needs and family situations

Adults and Families

• Manage and direct religious education programs for adults and families
• Provide ongoing formal classes: (e.g., Young Adult OWL, UUA Common Read, etc.), short-term informal learning opportunities (e.g., book clubs, parenting workshops), and one-off events (e.g., guest speakers, panel discussions, film screenings)
• Select quality programs and facilitators
• Provide strong facilitator training as needed
• Create/procure quality curricula
• Provide simple and transparent class registration
• Ensure smooth logistics (e.g., reserving space, procuring materials, classroom/event setup, etc.)
• Provide pastoral support and guidance to adults involved in education programming
• Support, guide, and offer necessary leadership for affinity groups, including, butnot limited to the young adult group, Elderspirits, and Interweave (LGBTQIA affinity group)
• Provide ongoing vision and support for initiatives stemming from adult education programs

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent)
• Familiarity and appreciation of Unitarian Universalism and congregational life
• 3 years experience in education
• Demonstrated leadership and team building skills

Physical Requirements:

• Able to move freely in and out of different physical spaces
• Able to speak in a public forum

Core Competencies:

• Mission Ownership: Demonstrates understanding and full support of the mission, vision, values and beliefs of the congregation; can teach and demonstrate those principles to children, youth and adults; leads others to identify how their lives and identity connects to the life and identity of the congregation.

• Teaching: Designs effective lesson plans and facilitates transformative learning experiences in both small and large settings; selects teaching topics that are relevant, inspiring and contribute to a greater understanding of self, others, religion, justice and Unitarian Universalism; uses a variety of teaching styles and methods to maintain interest, build connection and foster a positive learning environment.

• Developing Others: Identifies and recruits lay leaders and volunteers and cultivates a congregational environment of volunteering and service; nurtures relationships; invites others into shared leadership; shares the principles and mission of the congregation and encourages adults, children, and youth in their spiritual development

• Supervision: Creates a climate in which people want to do their best; can motivate and empower employees; establishes clear expectations; gives clear direction; distributes workload appropriately; provides regular and ongoing feedback about performance; proactively deals with substandard performance.

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to lead others and be led; demonstrates interest, skill and success in building team environments; engages adults, children and youth positively, with a demeanor of optimism, invitation and abundance; nurtures authentic and meaningful relationships with and between community members; creates strong morale and a feeling of belonging, pride and shared leadership.

• Creativity and Innovation: Generates and is open to new ideas; makes new connections among existing ideas to create fresh approaches; actively looks beyond the familiar and comfortable; is responsive and enthusiastic regarding change and growth; embraces life- long learning for oneself and others; engages and takes seriously the current thinking and practices regarding religious education within Unitarian Universalism.

• Worship Leadership: Along with the Worship Leader, designs and facilitates relevant and inspiring worship; promoting experiences of the sacred; crafting a worship flow that reinforces a theme or purpose or emotional experience; shows strong personal depth and integrity and confidently projects the identity and character of the congregation.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $52,425.00 - $58,275.00 per year

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Choose your own hours
• Evening shift
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• New York, NY 10023: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in New York, NY 10023