Assistant Director of Youth Ministry

Full-time position with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.

About the role

The Archdiocese seeks a dynamic, mission-driven Catholic leader to serve as Assistant Director of Youth Ministry. Reporting to the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, this position advances the Archdiocese's vision for evangelization, discipleship, leadership development, and accompaniment of young people and those who serve them. The Assistant Director serves as a primary resource, coach, and partner to parish youth ministers, clergy, campus ministers, and volunteers throughout the Archdiocese. Through parish accompaniment, leadership formation, strategic support, and the coordination of major diocesan initiatives, this position helps strengthen and expand vibrant youth ministry across the Church of Washington.

This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who is passionate about forming missionary disciples, empowering parish leaders, and helping young people encounter Jesus Christ through the life of the Church.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a principal resource and advocate for parish youth ministers, clergy, and volunteers throughout the Archdiocese.
• Accompany, mentor, and support parish ministry leaders in developing and sustaining effective youth ministry programs.
• Visit parishes regularly to assess needs, identify opportunities, and provide consultation, coaching, and practical support.
• Design and facilitate leadership formation, training workshops, and networking opportunities for youth ministers and volunteers.
• Foster collaboration and the sharing of best practices among parish leaders across the Archdiocese.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with pastors, parish staff, youth ministers, and community leaders.
• Lead and support major archdiocesan youth initiatives, including retreats, conferences, leadership formation experiences, pilgrimages, the March for Life, World Youth Day, and other evangelization efforts.
• Coordinate planning teams, volunteers, and logistics to ensure high-quality ministry experiences for young people.
• Recruit, train, and accompany volunteer leaders who support diocesan and parish ministry initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for new evangelization initiatives that respond to the needs of young people and parish communities.
• Develop resources related to discipleship, evangelization, leadership development, family engagement, and adolescent faith formation.
• Support ministry initiatives serving Hispanic youth and families while promoting culturally responsive approaches that reflect the diversity of the Archdiocese.
• Foster collaboration among parishes, campus ministries, ecclesial movements, and other ministry partners.
• Assist with communications, social media outreach, event promotion, and the sharing of ministry resources and best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Ministry Priorities

• Parish-centered youth ministry that forms missionary disciples.
• Accompaniment, coaching, and leadership development for youth ministers and volunteers.
• Dynamic archdiocesan retreats, conferences, pilgrimages, and evangelization initiatives.
• Youth leadership formation and opportunities for peer ministry.
• Eucharistic devotion, Scripture, prayer, Confession, and active participation in the sacramental life of the Church.
• Outreach and engagement across the diverse cultural communities of the Archdiocese.
• Sustainable volunteer leadership development and parish ministry growth.
• Collaboration among parishes, campus ministries, and diocesan partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in theology, catechetics, pastoral ministry, education, leadership, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum three years of progressively responsible experience in Catholic youth ministry, evangelization, parish ministry, campus ministry, young adult ministry, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to accompany, mentor, and develop ministry leaders, volunteers, and young people.
• Experience providing leadership, training, formation, and support to parish-based ministry programs.
• Strong knowledge of Catholic teaching and a commitment to the Church's mission of evangelization and discipleship.
• Experience planning and leading retreats, conferences, pilgrimages, leadership programs, and other ministry initiatives.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated intercultural competency; experience working with Hispanic youth and families is strongly preferred.
• Practicing Catholic in good standing whose life reflects a commitment to the teachings, mission, and sacramental life of the Church.
• Bilingual English and Spanish preferred.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is a joyful and faithful Catholic leader who is energized by working with young people and those who serve them. This individual is relational, entrepreneurial, collaborative, and capable of inspiring others toward a deeper commitment to Christ and His Church. They are equally comfortable leading a retreat, coaching a parish youth minister, facilitating a workshop for volunteers, or coordinating a major diocesan initiative. If you are passionate about helping parishes thrive, forming the next generation of Catholic leaders, and advancing the mission of the Church throughout the Archdiocese of Washington, we encourage you to apply.

Pay

$70,000 to $80,000 per year.