Summer Interim Youth Director

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Provide program and activity opportunities that are accessible, welcoming, and engaging to all youth regardless of socio-economic background, ethnicity, sexual-orientation, physical or mental abilities. Affirming of all youth, in particular queer and trans youth, youth with learning disabilities (ADHD, autism), and youth living in poverty.

2. Coordinate, with staff and volunteers, meaningful Sunday morning programs for middle school and high school youth, which includes coordinating teachers, materials, refreshments and seasonal programs in concert with primary parish staff and lay leaders.

3. Think creatively about ministry in an urban setting with members of the Youth Group living in all areas of the city.

4. Ensure programs and initiatives are based on the core values of St. David’s. They are:

Faith: Believing in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as articulated in the scripture and Baptismal Covenant and as lived out in prayer and worship. Learning: Deepening our relationship with God through education, reflection, and application. Diversity: Welcoming in the spirit of the New Covenant all people who are seeking God. Serving: Doing Christ’s work in the world by serving others.

Tradition: Honoring our Anglican heritage as well as our history of civic engagement in Austin since 1848. Participation: Encouraging all parishioners to

participate actively in our community of faith. Authenticity: Striving for truth and openness in our relationships with one another.

5. Coordinate the recruitment and training of Acolytes, both adult and youth, in the important ministry of worship at St. David’s.

6. Strengthen a plan for Confirmation that is substantive and formative. Coordinate and facilitate this plan and the confirmation class for youth.

7. Participate in staff meetings and in periodic planning meetings and retreats.

8. Work with the Communications Department to publicize all weekly and monthly events in appropriate parish publications and communicate upcoming events, deadlines, and opportunities to youth and parents through a variety of media. Communicate with youth and parents appropriately in a variety of ways, such as text, social media (Instagram), GroupMe, Facebook, and the youth newsletter. Weekly/bi-weekly communication.

9. Connect youth to other Austin area Episcopal parishes as well as the Diocese of Texas. Volunteer and attend events such as Happening, Lock-in, etc.

10. Lead an annual mission experience, whether it be Episcopal Strong, Missionpalooza, or something else.

11. Support youth in their extracurricular endeavors, such as sporting events or theater performances.

12. Encourage parishioners to become involved in sponsoring youth outings or events, tying all ages more closely together and developing meaningful relationships and fostering respect.

13. Train and recruit adult volunteers

14. Celebrate milestones such as graduating seniors, service awards, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree and experience in leading youth ministry (3-5 years’ experience is preferred).

• A committed disciple of Jesus Christ able to articulate faith in terms of the Baptismal Covenant of the Book of Common Prayer; someone who will pursue ongoing professional and spiritual formation. Prefer an Episcopalian or someone from a liturgically based faith background.

• A strong ability to build healthy relationships with youth and their families.

• Clear competency in the use of various tools for social media.

IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

• An engaging, positive, and upbeat personality, able to easily and comfortably communicate with young people.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, diplomacy, tact, and professionalism.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality appropriately.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Strong analytic and organizational skills; capacity for strategic planning and initiatives; and ability to follow-through with attention to detail in all related activities.

• Ability to work on multiple tasks and priorities.

• Self-starter and creative thinker who is comfortable collaborating and working as part of a team.

• Working knowledge of and willingness to train to learn Microsoft Office and the church’s database system, ShelbyNext.

NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE EMPLOYMENT

This is an interim, temporary position while the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is on leave. Employment as the Interim Youth Director shall not in any way be construed as a guarantee, contract, written or unwritten, nor should it be assumed that the position will continue beyond the period of the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry’s absence, or beyond such time as may be needed for the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry to transition back to full-time work. In addition, if the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, or the church, decides that the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is not able to return to their previous position or duties, the Interim Youth Director should not assume or expect that there is a guarantee or promise that they would be offered the vacant position, or any position, at St. David’s Episcopal Church. However, if a position should become open, the Interim Youth Director may apply for the position in the same way as anyone with the posted qualifications may apply.

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 individual individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to communicate verbally both in person and by phone and familiarity with social media—able to set clear boundaries yet reach young people in ways they communicate. Scope of this position may include fairly strenuous youth outings and the physical capability of keeping up with teens in settings such as campouts, lock-ins, mission trips, game nights, or similar activities.

BACKGROUND CHECK

Any offer for employment for this position is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check. Completion of additional training in Safeguarding God’s People and other Diocesan-mandated training is also required for continued employment.

COMPENSATION

The compensation for this position will be $1,000 per week, which will be paid to the Interim Youth Director on a bi-monthly basis on the fifteenth (15) and last business day of the month. The projected number of weeks for this position is ten (10). However, the number of weeks may be adjusted up or down to suit the needs of the Youth Ministry program at St. David’s Episcopal Church.