Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration

AUUF Job Description: Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration

Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Title: Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration

Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Salaried Exempt Position

Hours Required: Full time. Start date August 1, 2022

Salary and Benefits: Based on Midsize I, Geoindex 5 congregation per UUA guidelines. Benefits include health insurance, pension, professional expenses, paid vacation and study time. Salary $45,000$53,000 based on experience.

Organizational Relationship: Employed by the Board of Directors, under the supervision of the Minister.

Applicants: Please submit a cover letter and resume to Rev. Lise Adams Sherry at [email protected]. Please put DLRE position in the subject heading. We will accept resumes until the position is filled.

Position Summary: The overall objective of the AUUF Lifespan Religious Exploration Program is to promote and support spiritual and ethical development for children and adults in the congregation. The DLRE is responsible for planning and administering the program and serves as a resource for advancing the vision and mission of the AUUF.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1.Foster and Support the Spiritual Development of AUUF Children, Youth and their Families.

Provide leadership and coordination for Lifespan Religious Exploration programming, in order to implement congregational vision and goals for children and youth ministry.

Maintain familiarity and expertise with Unitarian Universalist traditions, practices, religious education philosophy, teaching techniques and resources.

Promote children and youth in the overall life of the congregation by encouraging and facilitating the integration of new children and families into AUUF.

Work collaboratively with the AUUF minister and other Teams to lead multigenerational worship services.

Assist parents and provide resources to support the faith and values development of the Congregation’s children and youth.

Present a welcoming presence at AUUF Sunday morning services and events.

2. Foster and Support the Spiritual Development of AUUF Adults.

With the minister, acts as advisor to the Adult Programs Committee in their coordinating function of scheduling and managing programs and workshops created by other teams.

With the minister, serves as a resource and collaborator with committees to provide adult programs as needed.

3.Development and Support of Volunteers and Paid Staff in the Lifespan Religious Exploration (LRE) Program.

Work in conjunction with the CYRE (Children and Youth Religious Exploration) Team to provide an environment of learning and growth for lay teachers and youth advisors, to empower and support volunteers in their teaching experience, and to enhance LRE teacher morale and cohesion.

Supervise and help recruit teacher volunteers and childcare staff in LRE through regular communication and training opportunities.

Oversee and work cooperatively with the Religious Exploration Assistant, Youth Advisors, Coming of Age (COA) program advisors, the Our Whole Lives (OWL) leaders, Peace Camp leaders and Childcare Providers to facilitate programs, meetings and provide support as needed as needed for the administration of LRE Program.

4. Administration of LRE Program

With the help of RE volunteers, organize and maintain: class curricula, RE resources and supplies, the RE library, registration and attendance records, and LRE archival records on an annual basis.

Ensure, in conjunction with the Safer Congregations Team (SCT), a safe physical environment for all people involved in the LRE program, and see that all safety protocols in the SCT Handbook are followed.

Recommend and manage the budget designated for the LRE program.

5.Maintain Communication with the AUUF Community and the UU Association.

Work collaboratively with the Staff Leadership Team including participation in staff meetings.

Attend, provide reports and advocate for the LRE program as needed at meetings of the AUUF Board of Directors, and other committees or teams as needed for coordination of efforts.

Generate publicity for the LRE program, which may include an annual RE Family Handbook and brochure, regular AUUF publications and the use of Social Media.

Coordinate Religious Exploration involvement with the Anchorage community in social action and service projects, coordinating with adult service projects when possible, and developing connections with other young people’s groups in the community.

Maintain contact with the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Pacific Western Region, and the LREDA group through attendance at meetings, participation in teleconferences, etc.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in education or equivalent.

Knowledge of child development, childhood behavior, and appropriate teaching techniques.

Three to five years of experience in religious education or as an educator in a school setting - teaching children, selecting curriculum and effectively presenting material.

Good relational and volunteer management skills, including ability to work effectively with the religious exploration team; training and coaching volunteers, coordinating events.

Skill, tact, diplomacy, and proficiency in working with adult members, parents, and children.

Strong organizational and administrative skills.

Detail-oriented and self-motivated with the ability to plan and manage complex events and programs that involve large numbers of participants. Must be able to work both independently and with a team.

Strong ethics and ability to manage confidential information.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Computer software skills – media, email, web searches, utilization of Word and other related programs.

Experience in supervising paid staff.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Must be able to physically work in a classroom environment with children (set up, take down rooms, carry/transport materials up and down stairs).

Must be able to verbally communicate with the use of a telephone and be clearly understood.

Must be physically able to utilize a keyboard.

Must be able to travel as required; maintaining a current driver’s license is preferred.

Must be physically able to traverse the church campus including the use of stairs.

Core Competencies

Mission Ownership:

Demonstrates understanding and full support of the mission and values of the congregation; can demonstrate those values to others; consistently behaves in a manner congruent with the mission and values.

Integrity and Trust

Is seen as trustworthy by others; practices direct, honest, and transparent communication; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; responds to situations with constancy and reliability.

Personal Resilience

Effectively copes with change and uncertainty; shifts gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; is flexible.

Interpersonal Skills

Generates a sense of hospitality and welcome and communicates a sense of availability, warmth, openness, and approachability. Relates well to a variety of ages and temperaments but needs to be especially at ease with children and youth. Creates appropriate rapport and cooperation; understands and honors personal and professional boundaries; must be able to manage conflict and mediate differences within groups and to lovingly and firmly hold appropriate boundaries for children, youth and adults; fosters connections, builds community and is a team player.

Organizational Skills

Must be a self-starter, able to manage time well, to maintain multiple programs and projects at once. Must be able to utilize available resources effectively and efficiently. Must be able to manage multiple information streams and prioritize. Must be able to consistently attend to the many small pieces that must be assembled into the organized whole; is persistent and follows up on missing or pending items; resolves unanswered questions needed to address a problem; keeps the larger picture in mind while tending to the smallest of details.

Knowledge and Creativity

Must be well versed in educational strategies, inclusion practices, special needs accommodations, faith development, child development and psychology, and emerging trends in Unitarian Universalist practices. Must have a sound understanding of Unitarian Universalist history, theology, culture and religious education. Generates new ideas, innovates, makes connections to create fresh approaches.

Team Orientation

Good at working and collaborating with a team, offering a helping attitude. Works for the overall good of the organization; offers self as a resource to others; willing and able to research and find answers to questions. Able to take responsibility for mistakes and celebrate group successes.