Director of Youth Ministries

St. James’ Episcopal Church
Jackson, Mississippi

JOB DESCRIPTION

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
St. James’ Episcopal Church in Jackson, Mississippi, is seeking a Director of Youth Ministries to build meaningful spiritual relationships with the youth of our parish to support them as they grow in God’s grace. Under the supervision of the Rector or designated Associate Rector, the Director will oversee all ministries related to parishioners from 6th to 12th grade and their families. The Director will work in collaboration with the clergy, staff, and lay leadership, including the Youth Committee made up of committed parishioners. The Director’s responsibilities focus around four aims, each seasoned with the fun and playfulness associated with youth ministry.
• Education in the biblical foundations and sacramental traditions of the Christian faith
• Formation for moral and spiritual maturity
• Relationships that engage and deepen a sense of community with and within the youth
• Ministry with a sense of mission to others both within and outside of the Church.

This position is for someone who loves engaging youth and families, and who feels called by God to this work. The Director of Youth Ministries at St. James’ is a full-time, non-entry level position with salary and benefits reflecting the nature of the position for an initial commitment of two years.

NECESSARY SKILLS
The Director of Youth Ministries will:
• build healthy relationships with the youth and their families through effective and appropriate exchanges.
• work collaboratively with the Youth Committee and other lay leaders.
• be a respectful team player among the clergy and staff as they work together to ensure the growth of St. James’ and her ministries.
• demonstrate energy and self-motivation, including the introduction of new ministries and new ways of doing old ministries.
• carry out responsibilities in an organized fashion, providing the organizational foundation for the variety of ministries to youth and their families.
• demonstrate realistic flexibility and openness to new and short-notice events.
• ask for and expect collaboration, respect, patience and compassion from clergy, staff, and lay leadership.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The Director of Youth Ministries will:
• be a spiritually grounded lay person with active use, knowledge of and appreciation for the traditions and practices of the Episcopal Church.
• ideally have experience with Journey to Adulthood for 7th through 12th graders.
• ideally have an educational background oriented toward education, child development, and/or family ministry (a master’s degree is preferred).
• ideally have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in youth ministry, preferably in a congregation of similar size (or equivalent professional experience at Rector’s discretion).
• have experience supervising or facilitating the work of others, preferably in a ministry (or other volunteer) environment.
• have a spirit of creativity in reaching youth during these times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• provide references that speak to the candidate’s skills and the capacity to fulfill the essential responsibilities of this position.
• complete Safeguarding God’s Church and Safeguarding God’s Children certifications along with other required diocesan training related to providing a safe and healthy ministry environment.
• undergo a background check as required by the Diocese of Mississippi.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Youth Ministries will:
• work collaboratively with (and be supported by) clergy, staff, and lay leaders to bridge childhood formation in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd into next step, the age appropriate formation for youth; thus, introducing new education programs in the fall of 2020 (My Faith, My Life for 6th graders; Journey to Adulthood for 7th through 12th graders) and maintain those programs in subsequent years.
• work collaboratively with (and be supported by) clergy, staff, and lay leaders to develop a meaningful and workable strategy for ensuring the success of youth and family ministries at St. James’, including the cultivation of an enthusiastic and joyful atmosphere.
• work collaboratively with (and be supported by) clergy, staff, and lay leaders to develop meaningful opportunities for youth mission work.
• work collaboratively with (and be supported by) clergy, staff, and lay leaders to develop meaningful opportunities for youth to be involved in the liturgies and ceremonies of St. James’.
• assist in identifying and incorporating new families with youth into the St. James’ community and its ministries.
• lead the weekly Youth Group gathering that currently meets on Wednesday evenings.
• organize and support youth Sunday School opportunities, including the creation of teacher rotation.
• facilitate the monthly meetings of the Youth committee to strategize about youth ministry and to create the ministry calendar for youth events.
• maintain effective, ongoing communication with lay leadership.
• maintain a presence at the schools attended by St. James’ youth.
• seek to maintain and expand lay participation and leadership in youth ministries.
• ensure that all participants in youth ministries have up-to-date certifications in Safe Church and other required training (e.g. anti-racism training).
• attend weekly staff meetings, reporting on behalf of the youth ministry and contributing collaboratively to the leadership of the parish.
• prepare the Youth Ministries yearly budget proposals and monitor and approve expenditures from that budget.
• participate regularly in the worship life of the church both to provide an example to our youth and for the Director’s own spiritual health.
• cultivate a cooperative and growing relationship with the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi Missioner on Youth, promoting participation in diocesan youth activities and ministries.
• participate in continuing education, including those trainings required by the diocese or the national church.
• prioritize self-care by actively maintaining physical, psychological, financial, and spiritual health (while expecting that the rector and parish will be equally concerned for and respectful of the Director’s need for self-care).