JOB POSTING:
Director of Religious Exploration for Children and Youth
Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Seattle, WA

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The Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation (WSUU) is seeking a full time Director of Religious Exploration (DRE) to lead a vibrant religious education program.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Religious Exploration:

  • provides an enriching, supporting and welcoming atmosphere for infants through high school aged youth, and their parents/guardians, as an essential element of the larger ministry of the Congregation,
  • provides the professional coordination and administration of programs that implement the congregation’s vision and goals for children and youth ministry,
  • is responsible for recruiting and managing paid and volunteer teaching staff, including training, appreciating, and coaching,
  • ensures that safety policies are followed.

WSUU CONGREGATION

We are a thriving, growing “Welcoming” congregation of over 200 adult pledging members and 100 children and youth, as well as many others who have recently found us. After twenty years of meeting in a Masonic Temple, we purchased and refurbished our new home two years ago. We are so happy to have our own space where the lights are on most evenings with groups and classes. And, we are grateful for the amazing view of the Puget Sound from the RE office and several classrooms!

As a community, we strive to “feed our spirits, expand our minds, and work together for justice.” We are known for our passion, our celebratory worship, and our balance of head and heart. We have a demonstrated long record of commitment to our children and youth programs. Last year the UUA honored us with the distinction of being a Breakthrough Congregation. (Click for video.) Our staff and volunteers serve together collaboratively, and seek to truly be a loving community by supporting each other and being a safe place to stretch and grow.

SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The DRE is hired by the Board of Trustees and reports to the Minister. The annual review is a participatory process with the minister to review performance, job description, and program evaluation with input from the Religious Education Council (REC). The DRE position is supported by an active REC, Youth Advisory Council (YAC) and the Puget Sound Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) cluster.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND VISION

As a religious education professional, our ideal DRE candidate will be committed to the principles and values of Unitarian Universalism and LREDA ethics, and will possess significant experience as a DRE or another relevant ministry position, in a Unitarian Universalist congregation. The candidate will demonstrate the following core competencies:

  • Has knowledge of the developmental stages of life and faith, and of the various human intelligences, learning models, and classroom management techniques.
  • Has knowledge and experience in UU and liberal religious philosophy, current UU children and youth curricula, programs and supportive resources.
  • Has demonstrated ability to maintain positive relationships with people of all ages, classes, abilities, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religious and nonreligious background and sexual orientation.
  • Has demonstrated organizational and leadership skills and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
  • Has demonstrated the ability to understand the big picture while being able to follow through on details.
  • Has knowledge and commitment to safety policies, procedures and protocols to protect our children, youth and teachers.
  • Has a vision and a strategy for how our RE program can expand and grow along with our growing congregation.
  • Has demonstrated passion and enjoyment for this religious education work, for church community and for the mission of RE.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The DRE will fulfill the following responsibilities:

  • Recruit, train, support and supervise paid and volunteer teachers of Sunday morning religious exploration programs for children and youth.
  • Review and choose appropriate curricula, and maintain files, resource library, supplies and classrooms.
  • Communicate with the congregation about programs and activities of the Children and Youth ministries
  • With the REC, support and implement policies, procedures and protocols related to the RE Safety Policy.
  • With the REC, recommend and manage the RE budget.
  • Participate in continuing education through regular active involvement in the resources of the LREDA.
  • In conjunction with the REC, plan and implement the congregation’s special programs for children and youth including Our Whole Lives, Coming of Age, RE Celebrations service and bridging rituals.
  • Supervise youth group and youth advisors, as well as the activities in which they choose to participate.
  • Plan and supervise the Story for All Ages planning for the weekly Sunday morning worship service. Tell the story about twice a month.
  • Provide leadership, consultation and expertise for several multigenerational services each year.
  • In conjunction with the minister, communicate with the preschool, which ?leases shared space in our building, regarding furnishings and ?collaborations.
  • Manage RE program logistics including registration and attendance data.

SCOPE OF POSITION

The DRE position is a year round full time permanent position, including Sunday mornings, and some evenings, weekends and an occasional holiday. (One Sunday off per month, per LREDA recommendations.)

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, and LEAVE

Salary and benefits will be negotiated based on the experience and education of the candidate and WSUU resources. WSUU has a history of compensating staff according to the guidelines offered by the UUA.

Employment benefits include medical insurance, professional and continuing education budget, paid leaves, and other benefits specified in our comprehensive WSUU Personnel Policy.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

WSUU does not discriminate based upon age, class, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religious and nonreligious backgrounds, and sexual orientation. We are a Welcoming Congregation.

START DATE

The start date will be negotiable, targeted to be between June 1, 2012 and August 15, 2012.

HOW TO APPLY

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Please send a cover letter, resume and a response to the following questions to office@wsuu.org by March 20th.

  1. Given your experience and background, what contributions can you make to our RE program and the Westside community?
  2. What aspect of being a religious educator are you most passionate about?

Applications will be held in confidence, unless advised otherwise by applicant.