St. John XXIII Parish, West Haven, CT

Full Time (Exempt)
Position Title:  Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Reports To:      Director of Lifelong Faith Formation
Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to Fr. Mercado at fr.mercado@aohct.org

JOB OVERVIEW

The Youth and Young Adult Minister, in conjunction with the entire parish community, is responsible for inviting young people into the mission of God by recognizing their gifts and voices as vital to that mission. The Youth and Young Adult Minister is responsible for helping adolescents and young adults develop their sense of identity, belonging and purpose as a child of God. The vision of this ministry in our parish is to facilitate for our youth and young adults in encountering Christ in his Church and to accompany them in their growth as intentional disciples of the Lord in his Church.  In partnership with parish and families, the youth and young adult minister will help create an environment in our parish where youth and young adults can experience abundant life in Jesus. The youth minister will work under the supervision and direction of the Director of Lifelong Faith Formation, who will provide oversight, guidance, and support for the role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Helping youth and young adults develop a sense of identity, purpose and belonging in the parish community and beyond
  • Building developmental relationships with young people by fostering a community where the deep love and mercy of God is lived, experienced, and shared.
  • In consultation with the Pastor and Director of Lifelong Faith Formation, organizes prayer, worship, and teaching of youth and young adult events.
  • Utilizing independent judgement, manage the details, and provide the structure needed, to support the vision and mission of the parish within youth and young ministry.
  • Develop relational ministry utilizing a family perspective, recognizing and supporting parents as the primary catalyst for the faith development of their youth.
  • Collaborating with parish leaders to create a meaningful and intentional intergenerational culture of which youth are an integral part
  • Assesses and continues development of comprehensive youth and young adult ministry embracing catechesis, advocacy, community life, evangelization, justice and peace, leadership development, prayer and worship, and pastoral care.
  • Fostering peer relationships among youth through faith forming environments
  • Utilizing a variety of faith formation methods to include blended, immersive, multisensory, project-based, collaborative and digital
  • Personalizing faith experiences in collaboration with youth and young adults to address individual needs
  • Lifting up gifts and talents of young people to foster leadership skills
  • Serves as an advocate and link for young people to the parish staff and faith community.
  • Maintain a flexible work schedule averaging forty (40) hours a week including evenings and weekends.
  • Maintain communication with youth and their families through bulletin announcements, event flyers, newsletters (bulletin), email, telephone, etc. Maintain a social media presence.
  • Provide assistance to our Director of Lifelong Faith Formation in a variety of office tasks (i.e., phone calls, assisting in registrations in our Faith Formation program, e-mails, database inputting, assisting in logistics and organization of Faith Formation Events, etc.)
  • Assist with and attend special liturgical celebrations as required. Attends required meetings and gatherings, taking minutes and offers assistance as needed.
  • Attending archdiocesan trainings and workshops and other professional development opportunities

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Commitment to the mission of the Catholic Church
  • Passion for spending time with and advocating for young people
  • Understanding of adolescent development
  • Effective communication skills: must be comfortable speaking in public with children, youth, adults and seniors.
  • Ability and desire to innovate
  • Strong digital skills and ability to navigate social media platforms
  • Team building and empowerment
  • Project management and organization

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor’s Degree in related field preferred
  • Experience working with youth
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with youth, parents and staff.
  • Excellent computer proficiency (MS Office—Word, Excel, Outlook; Google Docs; Canva)
  • Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices

PREFERED

  • Certificate / Training for Youth Ministry Leadership
  • Catechetical / Theological Formation
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Must be able to lift and carry up to 50lbs
  • Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on the telephone

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

  • Valid Connecticut driver’s license.
  • Completion of Background Check and Safe Environment Training
  • Must maintain compliance with the Archdiocese of Hartford policies through the employment period.