Title of Opportunity: Interim Director of Religious Exploration

About the role

The Interim Director of Religious Exploration (DRE) is a key member of the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton (FUUSN) team. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this position supports the congregation's mission and vision through oversight of its religious exploration programs for children and youth.

Responsibilities

• Assists Senior Co-Ministers in understanding the history of FUUSN’s RE program and past transitions of the congregation’s Religious Educators.
• Works with the congregation to focus and re-imagine the congregation’s mission and mission-centered goals which will inform the congregation’s approach to religious exploration.
• Reviews alternative approaches to UU RE for children and youth and offers recommendations to RE committee and Senior Co-Ministers.
• With the congregation, explores leadership changes that might better serve the congregation during a time of transition.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of Religious Exploration programs for children and youth.
• Facilitates ministerial engagement with RE programming.
• Supervises and schedules youth employed as RE classroom aides, beadles, and other employment opportunities FUUSN creates for its youth.
• Manages the RE program in collaboration with the ministers, including attending staff meetings and Congregational Meetings.
• Recruits, trains, supervises, and evaluates the RE Staff, volunteers, and Nursery Care staff.
• Maintains registration, permission, and medical information forms for all participants in Youth Religious Exploration and Youth activities.
• Obtains, reviews and approves background checks on all Youth Religious Exploration assistants, Youth Advisors, Child Care Providers, Classroom Teachers, and volunteers.
• Communicates effectively about RE programming to parents and Congregation.
• Provides pastoral care for families, youth and children in consultation with the ministers.
• Facilitates special events such as an Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Party, Parents’ Night Out, and Coming of Age trips.
• Serves on the Sexually Safer Review Team if an incident related to a child or youth occurs.
• Maintains connections with professional colleagues and participates in continuing education.

Requirements

• Experience as a UU Religious Educator; credentialed religious educator highly preferred.
• Experience as an Interim Religious Educator preferred; willingness to attend interim training required.
• Continuing education in UUA Sparks modules or UU Institute programs highly desirable.
• Respect for UU Shared Values and Principles.
• Ability to demonstrate understanding and experience with UU congregational life.
• Must pass a background check.

Qualifications

• A basic working understanding of congregational systems and transitions.

Skills

• Accountability: Able to lead in support of the Congregation’s Mission and Vision.
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to lead; uses active listening to understand others, identify issues, and build relationships; abides by a Professional Code of Conduct.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively in writing and speaking.
• Program Management Skills: Manages programs and projects efficiently; designs and implements viable plans (e.g., resources, issues, action steps, timetables, and outcomes); produces timely and effective outcomes.

Benefits

• Salary, benefits, and expectations follow UUA recommended best-practices.
• Retirement: contributions to the UUA Retirement plan matched at 10% of salary with minimum one year of service to a UU congregation.
• Disability and Life Insurance provided.
• Health Insurance: FUUSN pays 80% of the individual premium for the basic plan.
• Professional Development: 10% of salary.
• Vacation and Study Leave provided, with one Sunday off per month and four weeks of vacation plus FUUSN’s time-off between Christmas and New Years. Approved professional Development included in work hours.

Contact and application information

Position open until filled. Contact Rev. Joel Miller at rev.joel@fusn.com with cover letter and resume.

Address

The First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton 1326 Washington St. Newton, MA 02465