The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

Starting September 1, 2003

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Monica is seeking a qualified individual to serve as its full-time Director of Religious Education (DRE). Ours is a mid-sized church located just west of Los Angeles (near the beach) with 450 members including 150 children and youth. Our religious education program is an integral part of the church community with a two-service schedule of classes for children, an active youth group, an OWL program, and Coming of Age classes.

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Minister, the Director of Religious Education (DRE) directs the pre-school through high school religious education program of the Church. The DRE also is responsible for providing child care for Sunday mornings and other Church events. The DRE is responsible for the continuity of the religious education function, and if she/he is going to be temporarily absent or otherwise unable to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of this Job Description, she/he is responsible for finding a substitute or making other arrangements with the Minister.

 

Work Schedule

This is a salaried full-time (nominally forty [40] hours per week) position which includes working Sunday mornings except for one Sunday per month, when the DRE need not be present if she/he has arranged appropriate coverage in accordance with the preceding paragraph.

 

Applicable Personnel Policy and Hiring and Dismissal Authority

This position is subject to the UUCCSM personnel policies for full-time Board-ratified staff. The direct supervisor of the DRE is the Minister. However, any recommendation by the Minister to hire or dismiss the DRE must be ratified by the Board of Directors.

 

Qualifications

Required:

o A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

o Experience in teaching and/or educational program management (including teacher training and curriculum development).

o Initiative; flexibility; demonstrated skill in leadership, administration and interpersonal communication; and an ability to work effectively with church committees and the community.

o Successful completion of a background check pertinent to dealing with children

Desirable:

o A master's or bachelor's degree in education or child development from an accredited college or university

o Experience in teaching more than one age group.

o Experience in teacher training.

o Experience in volunteer recruitment.

o Knowledge of and respect for the values of the Unitarian Universalist Church.

Specific Duties

Program Direction

1. Provides leadership in developing a philosophy of, and establishing objectives for, children’s religious growth and learning.

2. Implements the children’s religious education program, including life-span human sexuality.

3. Recruits, trains and supervises volunteer teachers for the program.

4. Coordinates and/or leads children in worship services.

5. Supports youth group programs.

6. Provides parent education relative to the children’s religious education program.

Program Relations

7. Acts as an advocate for the church school; prepares an annual church school report; and keeps the congregation informed about matters of religious education via the church newsletter and other appropriate channels.

8. Communicates directly with parents, children, teenagers, volunteer teachers and child care personnel to stimulate interest in religious education; and serves as a liaison to the congregation and the Minister for the concerns of these groups.

9. Plans and facilitates activities in the Church to foster intergenerational contacts, in consultation/cooperation with the Minister and the RE Council.

Program Administration

10. With the support of the RE Council, maintains adequate supplies and equipment and provides administrative support for the church school teachers and other RE volunteers.

11. With the support of the office staff, keeps current records pertaining to the program operation.

12. Develops the annual RE budget and oversees monthly expenditures in relation to that budget.

13. Assures compliance by the RE Department with Church policies and procedures relative to the safety of children. Assures that annual training sessions are held, for child care staff and teachers, on the subject of handling suspected child abuse.

Meetings and Conferences

14. Meets regularly with the Minister, makes regular periodic reports to the Board of Directors, and makes a report to the congregation at its Annual Meeting.

15. Attends meetings of the RE Council.

16. Attends district and local area religious education conferences and workshops.