The Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte (UUCC) is seeking a full-time Lifespan Religious Educator to join our professional staff in August 2023.  The UUCC is North Carolina’s oldest Unitarian congregation and has been a large UU congregation for many years. We are committed to spiritual, societal and environmental transformation.  With around 530 adult members and a contingent of children and youth, we’re able to create comprehensive programming across the lifespan.

We look forward to welcoming a professional able to guide our current work and, most importantly, to reimagine what it might mean to offer lifespan faith development programming.   Our congregation is currently in a transitional period under the leadership of an interim minister, and we are looking for a professional to join us during the interim process and continue into the next settled ministry. We are aware of the significant changes to congregational life and relationships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and are including these in the interim process.

To print this packet, click here.

Cover letters and resumes should be sent to lifespansearch@uuccharlotte.org.

Responsibilities

We seek a collaborative leader to join our professional staff, bringing skills and expertise regarding current best practices and innovations within congregations of similar size. Because our new Director will be the first ever in this role, they will not be expected to adhere to prior precedents for this position; they will be our guide in imagining what it could entail. The congregation is already leaning into experimentation and trying new things as part of the interim work.

While we have a basic job description already in place, we are seeking a creative individual who will grow the role. We invite change, new opportunities and ways to invigorate and reorganize how we think about and offer such programming.  The person in this position will be given a great deal of freedom and flexibility to take risks and initiate religious education programming that serves our Vision and Mission for children, youth, families and adults. A preliminary job description is attached here.  The successful candidate will have the opportunity to rewrite the role beginning the first year.

Hours

This is a full-time position working on Sundays and at least four weekdays. The schedule is flexible since some evening and/or weekend events require attendance. We also expect this position to attend biweekly professional staff meetings.

Qualifications

We are aware that the ideal candidate must have a particularly deft capacity both to manage what is and to imagine what could be. We expect to continue offering some of our current programming for continuity as the program is reimagined.

We require a professional with proven organizational, written and oral communication skills, the ability to work effectively with individuals and groups of diverse age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and religious beliefs, and professional and/or volunteer supervisory experience.

A Credentialed Religious Educator or Master of Divinity (M. Div.) degree is preferred. Familiarity with the principles of Policy Governance would be ideal. There is a Program Assistant that reports to the DLRE.

Compensation

The UUCC is a fair compensation congregation offering the full array of benefits expected to attain that standing. We are a Large Congregation in Geo Index 3. The minimum salary for this position is $60,000. In addition to a salary based on experience and our Geo Index, we currently offer professional expenses, 80% employer contribution to health insurance, 10% contribution to retirement after the qualifying period, 100% employer contribution to Life Insurance and professional expenses. We offer Long Term Disability at the employee’s expense.

How to Apply

Cover letters and resumes should be sent to lifespansearch@uucharlotte.org. We will begin reviewing resumes in mid to late March.  The position will stay open until it is filled. Thank you for your interest, we look forward to hearing from you soon!

— Job Description —

 

DIRECTOR OF LIFESPAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST COMMUNITY OF CHARLOTTE

Purpose of Position

  1. To assist in accomplishing the UUCC’s Vision, Mission and organizational Ends within the Policies and Limitations established and monitored by the Board of Trustees;
  2. To help sustain, evaluate, reimagine, and implement the UUCC’s educational programming; and
  3. To coordinate, manage and supervise all volunteer staff in the areas as described in “Duties and Responsibilities” below.

Accountability:  Reports to a Minister; is monitored by the Board of Trustees in the areas of primary responsibility as listed below.

Supervises:  Program assistant, childcare workers and all volunteer staff in the areas of primary responsibility.

Duties and Responsibilities

 Manage the current programming work of Adult Religious Education/Spiritual Development (ARESD), Children and Youth Religious Education (CYRE) and Family Ministry program areas, including by not limited to:

  • Develop a program calendar for CYRE.
  • Manage and coordinate congregational childcare needs.
  • Assess needs and provide appropriate support to volunteers to meet goals.
  • Recruit volunteers necessary to run the programs.
  • Provide and facilitate annual orientations.
  • Determine volunteer training needs and provide opportunities as necessary.
  • Evaluate, promote, and supervise program activities.
  • Communicate with and provide support to paid staff and volunteers.
  • Provide monthly reporting to the UUCC Board of Trustees and congregation that helps keep the community informed on important program information.
  • Provide primary leadership to the DiscoveryCircle program.

Lead the programming Teams of Adult Religious Education/Spiritual Development (ARESD) and Children and Youth Religious Education (CYRE).

  • Manage the work of the ARESD and CYRE Teams in devising Means to accomplish UUCC’s Ends within the Policies and Limitations established by the Board of Trustees and guided by the Board’s “Call to Action.”
  • Provide professional guidance and support.
  • Assist in creating a program vision and setting goals.

Develop, implement and evaluate comprehensive programming that inspires adults, children, families and youth.

  • Research curriculum and resources and recommend programming that invites change and new opportunities in lifespan faith development.
  • Envision, develop and facilitate activities/programming for adults, children, families and youth designed to commit to and experience spiritual, societal and environmental transformation as described in the UUCC Vision.
  • Evaluate programming and implement necessary adjustments.

Help coordinate the work of ARESD, CYRE and Family Ministry with other program areas, including by not limited to:

  • Coordinate and assist in the planning and implementation of worship services as appropriate.
  • Encourage and assist in facilitating multigenerational activities.
  • Educate the congregation concerning the goals of the ARESD, CYRE and Family Ministry programs

Propose and manage program budgets for ARESD, CYRE and Family Ministry in communication with the Coordinating Team, which includes:

  • Submit programming budgets for ARESD, CYRE and Family Ministry for approval to the Coordinating Team for inclusion in congregational budget.
  • Oversee program operations, including the maintenance of accurate financial records.
  • Manage program costs within the parameters of the adopted budget.

Qualifications/Skills 

  • Familiarity and agreement with the UUCC Vision and Mission and Unitarian Universalist principles required.
  • Proven organizational skills.
  • Proven written and oral communication skills.
  • Proven ability to work effectively with individuals and groups of diverse age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and religious beliefs.
  • Professional and/or volunteer supervisory experience strongly preferred.
  • Familiarity with principles of Policy Governance preferred.
  • Credentialed Religious Educator or Master of Divinity (M. Div.) degree preferred.

To print this packet, click here.

Cover letters and resumes should be sent to lifespansearch@uuccharlotte.org.