II. PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THIS POSITION
Our Lady of Light Family of Parishes strives to make heaven present here and now, by helping people walk with Jesus in their everyday life. The Associate Director of High School Youth Evangelization (AD-HS) reports to the Managing Director of Evangelization and is a key member of the Youth Evangelization Team. The AD-HS accompanies youth, grades 9-12, and their families, through a discipleship path, so that they encounter Jesus and become missionary disciples. The AD-HS is responsible for the overall running of the Life Teen program, supplemental programs and other opportunities for high school youth.

The AD-HS should be a committed Catholic disciple with experience in creating, adapting, and implementing content; comfortable and energetic in front of large groups of teens (and parents), and able to accompany youth and parents along their journey of discipleship; able to facilitate engaging small group discussion with teens; and comfortable with providing formation for adult volunteers. This person should also be a team player who understands ministry in a large church context, a self-starter, reliable, has strong communication skills, the ability to multi-task, detail-oriented, and driven. The AD-HS should be excited to join a growing Catholic community with a vibrant culture and eager live out our parish mission, vision, and youth discipleship pathway.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To create, implement, and annually evaluate a comprehensive approach to evangelization and discipleship for high school youth, taking into consideration the spiritual growth and development of high school youth, as well as their families. This includes, but is not limited to:
a. Life Teen/Life Nights
b. Bible Studies
c. Small groups
d. Service opportunities/mission trips
e. Retreats
f. Leadership Formation (in conjunction with Managing Director)
g. Service Opportunities/Mission Trips
h. Summer Camps/Conferences
i. Additional events/experiences as discerned by the team
2. Recruit, form, equip, send, and accompany adults for Life Teen Core Team, in conjunction with support from the Managing Director of Evangelization. This includes, but is not limited to:
a. Meeting at least once a semester with each core member;
b. Sitting in on small groups to evaluate and give feedback to core members;
c. Providing a formational opportunity at least once a semester with core team;
d. Providing opportunities for feedback from core members at the end of the year, and especially with any non-returning;
3. Work collaboratively with the Managing Director of Evangelization in ongoing Leadership Formation and Intentional Discipleship of upperclassmen.
4. Assist, as needed, the Coordinator of Youth Sacraments with Sacramental Preparation for Confirmation, as well as the Associate Director of Middle School with the transition of 8th grade students into high school.
5. Plan and promote an annual calendar of programming and formational opportunities; oversee the marketing and advertising of programs and events; and work alongside the Discipleship Formation Registrar.
6. Responsible for regular communication to Core Team and to families, as well as utilizing other methods of communication as needed, and working with the Director of Communications (i.e. bulletin, website, social media).
7. Working collaboratively with the Managing Director of Evangelization to set an annual budget for youth programming.
8. Additional responsibilities as assigned by the Pastor and/or Managing Director of Evangelization.

IV. CANDIDATE EXPECTATIONS

• Must complete and maintain SafeParish training and background check
• Must be certified as a Professional Catechist with the Center for the New Evangelization and meet annual continuing education requirements
• Highly recommend staying connected to and collaborating with the ministers of the surrounding parishes, as well as utilizing opportunities offered by the Center for the New Evangelization for networking, fellowship, and training

V. EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Strongly prefer a Bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry, Religious Studies, Theology, Religious Education, or related field, or commensurate ministry experience
• Must have spiritual maturity, defined as a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church who is faithful to the Magisterium, consistent in one’s prayer life, regularly receiving the sacraments, and able to speak of one’s relationship with Jesus
• Must have a broad understanding of and ability to articulate Church teaching regarding evangelization, catechesis, prayer, sacraments, and ecclesiology
• Must have experience mentoring and accompanying children at different stages of the discipleship path
• Must have knowledge and understanding of the New Evangelization, including methodology and best practices that have the goal of intentional discipleship. For example:
o The principles outlined by Sherry Weddell in Forming Intentional Disciples, Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples, and Fruitful Discipleship
o Divine Renovation
o Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
o Models of Family Catechesis
• Must be able to pray in front of and with others, to lead and participate in spontaneous and intercessory prayer
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people using the spoken word, both within one-on-one coaching/apprenticing situations and in large group settings

VI. WORKING ENVIRONMENT

This position requires the ability to drive between campuses and will include some evening and/or weekend hours. Regular weekly hours will be required to support the parish office. Discipleship Formation weekly work hours will vary and will be coordinated with the Discipleship Formation staff.