Catholic Religious Education Coordinator

The successful candidate for this position will be a 1099 contractor with Music Ministry International and be responsible for the following:

Providing primary religious education support for the Catholic military service members and their family Building 450, Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Crossover support and coverage to other chapels may be utilized in the execution of this contract as directed by the Catholic Chaplain, the Chaplaincy Resource Manager, or the USAG-FLW, Garrison Chaplain.

• CRE shall provide services on a yearly basis.
• CRE shall be capable of working on ecumenical projects and demonstrate the ability for teamwork in joint planning for community chapel events. Interactions will include members of all levels of the military, civilian staff, and family members of various faith groups. The CRE shall maintain a professional attitude and work environment reflective of a well-organized religious program during the performance of the contract.
• CRE shall present a neat, well-groomed professional appearance during the performance of the contract.

For the purpose of this contract, the CRE is considered an independent 1099 contractor and not an agent of the U.S. Government. During performance, the CRE shall be liable and will indemnify and hold harmless the Government, its agents and employees against actions or claims for damages to persons or property, including death arising from fault, negligence, wrongful act, or wrongful omission of the CRE, his agents or employees utilized in the provision of services.

2.2 Business Relations

The CRE shall successfully integrate and coordinate all activity needed to execute the requirements. The CRE shall manage the timeliness, completeness, and quality of problem identification. The CRE shall provide corrective action plans, proposal submittals, timely identification of issues, and effective management of subCREs. The CRE shall seek to ensure customer satisfaction and professional and ethical behavior of all CRE personnel.

• The CRE shall partner with the government to resolve all issues and conflicts within two (2) work days, first with the Catholic Chaplain, then the Contracting Officer Representative, then the Contracting Officer.
• CRE shall provide a qualified replacement during times of illness, leave or vacation, or other absences, as the calendar of events dictate. The substitute will meet or exceed the requirements listed in this contract. However, in such case, the substitute shall have no claim whatsoever against the Government for services rendered. It is the responsibility of the CRE to provide compensation for the substitute. In the event that the CRE fails to provide a qualified substitute in performance of the service under this contract, the Contracting Officer is authorized to procure the services of a satisfactory substitute for the CRE and deduct payment from the CRE in payment to the procured substitute. This provision imposes no obligation on the Contracting Officer to exercise the foregoing authority and shall not be construed to diminish the rights of the Government.

2.5 CRE Personnel, Disciplines, and Specialties

If needed, the CRE shall accomplish the assigned work by employing and utilizing qualified personnel with appropriate combinations of education, training, and experience. The CRE shall match personnel skills to the work or task with a minimum of under/over employment of resources. The CRE shall provide the necessary resources and infrastructure to manage, perform, and administer the contract.

2.6 Location, Hours of Work

This Contract requires work at Soldier Memorial Chapel, Building 450, Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

• Workdays and hours will vary according to the approved Calendar of Events, tasks in the PWS and the times of meetings. Many of the tasks in the PWS require evening and weekend hours, and the Government will partner with the CRE to determine what core hours are necessary to support this contract.
• The CRE shall have access to the chapels and office facilities during normal duty hours, 0900-1600, Monday through Friday. These hours are contingent upon chapel staff availability and coordination with key control officers for building access on weekends or holidays.
• CRE employees shall adhere to all security and weather warnings and notifications. In the event that inclement weather causes the cancellation and/or postponement of an event the Contactor will not be penalized.

2.6.1 Performance of Services During Inclement Weather, Crisis or Natural Disaster.

This provision is not applicable since no services are required during inclement weather, crisis or natural disaster. The Contracting Officer or COR shall notify the CRE by any means of communication, of inclement weather, crisis or natural disaster. There shall be no costs paid by the government to the CRE during these situations except those costs authorized by the contracting officer and incurred by work performed under this contract and PWS.

2.7 Travel / Temporary Duty (TDY)

Contract does not include Temporary Duty Travel. CRE shall not be reimbursed for any travel or fuel expenses related to this contract.

3 Performance Requirements

The following section specifies the Performance Objectives and Performance Elements for the contract.

3.1 The CRE shall conduct Catholic CCD and RE Programs  on Sunday at the time determined by the Religious Support Office.

Monitor and support volunteer teachers and students participating in the Fort Leonard Wood Chapel Community's weekly Catholic Sacramental programs, to include Reconciliation, Communion, Confirmation, RCIA and Out of Sequence classes. In order to reduce calendar and facility conflicts, all sacramental programs require coordination with the Catholic Priest, Religious Education Director, Youth Coordinator and Religious Support Office, depending upon the contractual specifications of each.

3.2 The CRE shall resource, Catholic CCD and RE Sacramental Programs.

The CRE provides ongoing support and resources for all elements of the sacramental programs. Support includes: research, submit order requests and distribute curriculum materials and supplies for each class, and registration of children at the beginning of the worship year and assisting with Catholic specific aspects of adult religious education. Prepare all resource materials for weekly Catholic RE programs to include: student/teacher packets, crafts, literature, video resources and equipment. Conduct registration and prepare handouts for all RE and Sacramental programs to include: student packets, parent letters, coordination of start dates and times with the Catholic Chaplain. Screen and maintain the Sacramental Records for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, RCIA and Out of Sequence students, as required by the Archdiocese of Military Services.

3.3 The CRE shall participate in the planning and preparation of Sacramental Celebrations.

Collaborate with all elements of the Sacramental Team regarding the Sacramental Celebrations. Some of the events are joint events and others are separate. Events/activities include First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Easter Vigil and Retreats.

• Prepare and print (or have printed) bulletins and agenda needed for all sacramental celebrations, retreats and rehearsals.
• Prepare Archdiocese for Military Service paperwork prior to rehearsals for review by parent and/or candidate. Corrected and signed copy, plus parish certificate, to be given to candidate at celebration.
• Schedule and conduct rehearsals for Reconciliation and Communion, notifying those involved by bulletin announcement and letter, or phone call when needed.
• Prepare all resource materials for Sacramental celebrations, parent meetings, retreats and rehearsals to include crafts, literature, video resources honorariums and equipment.
• Support the sacramental celebrations to include: assist children during the processional; seating arrangements for families; coordinate ushers, altar servers and Eucharistic ministers; coordinate room setup for photographer; provide support and attend Confirmation retreats.

3.4 The CRE shall provide baptism preparation classes.

Provide monthly preparation classes for parents and godparents who are seeking Baptism for their infants and young children. Screen and prepare the paperwork for Archdiocese of the Military Services Baptism records for review by the Catholic Chaplain. Coordinate with designated chapel staff for the printing of baptismal records and certificates.

3.5 The CRE shall conduct seasonal Religious Education Events.

Develop and resource four (4) special programs for seasonal highpoints in the church year. These seasonal programs are Advent/Christmas, Easter/Lent, Fall Fest and Adult Volunteer Appreciation Event. Each event should be programed for 1 to 2 hours, focused on the particular season, be geared toward families and include age-appropriate activities. Remainder of time in unit allocated for preparation.

3.6 The CRE shall recruit, coordinate, and assist with volunteer training.

Monitor and support all volunteers who assist with the Catholic RE programs on Fort Leonard Wood. When using volunteers as leaders recruit at least two (2) adult volunteers for each group.

• All volunteers, to include teen volunteers, are required to have a background check. Background checks are managed by the POC for the Garrison Chaplain Office. All volunteers will be referred to the person in charge of facilitating the paperwork through the various elements of approval, and cleared before working unsupervised with any child under the age of 18.
• Plan and conduct teambuilding and training events specifically for Fall Orientation, Advent/Christmas, Easter/Lent that develop leadership skills and resource the volunteers with appropriate classroom materials and supplies. Acquire and set up appropriate resources for display and distribution.

3.7 The CRE shall recruit, support volunteer training, and prepare for Summer Vacation Bible School.

Recruit, train, monitor and support all volunteers who assist with the annual week-long Summer Catholic Vacation Bible School on Fort Leonard Wood. Parents are encouraged to volunteer either directly or behind the scenes during the preparation time. When using volunteers as leaders recruit at least two (2) adult volunteers for each group. Assess individual worker skills and talents, matching adult leadership with appropriate activities.

• All volunteers, to include teen volunteers, are required to have a background check. Background checks are managed by the POC for the Garrison Chaplain Office. All volunteers will the referred to the person in charge of facilitating the paperwork through the various elements of approval, and cleared before working unsupervised with any child under the age of 18.
• Plan and conduct teambuilding and training events specifically for Summer Vacation Bible School that develop leadership skills and resource the volunteers with appropriate classroom materials and supplies. Acquire and set up appropriate resources for display and distribution.

3.8 The CRE shall support summer Vacation Bible School.

Support Summer Catholic Vacation Bible School, monitor and support all volunteers who assist with the annual week-long Summer Catholic Vacation Bible School on Fort Leonard Wood. Acquire and set up appropriate resources for display and distribution

3.9 The CRE shall attend religious education planning/coordination meetings.

Collaborate for a successful integrated-collective Catholic Religious Education Program, by providing representation at planning meetings. Include such things as event proposals, publicity, facility and reservation needs, funding requirements and updates on various aspects of the RE program.

• Chaplain Priest or Director of Religious Education (DRE) will determine date and time of the Religious Education Coordination meetings.
• Attend the Catholic Parish Council meetings.
• Provide Quarterly Action Plans and Weekly Activity Reports to the COR with specified content and format. These plans and reports will be shared with the Catholic Chaplain and Garrison Chaplain.

3.10 The CRE shall Prepare, Conduct Confirmation Parent Meetings at Soldier Memorial Chapel.

CRE shall organize and conduct Confirmation Parent Workshops at Soldier Memorial Chapel with the support of Sacramental Team Members. CRE shall reserve meeting location, plan and conduct parent meetings. CRE shall prepare handouts regarding confirmation roles, responsibilities and requirements for parents and candidates. CRE shall recommend and establish ministry services and community service opportunities for the candidates. Coordination with the Sacramental team is essential for a successful confirmation program. The Catholic Priest is the Sacramental Team leader. Other team members include the Director of Religious Education, Parish Coordinator, Catholic Religious Education Coordinators and the Catholic Youth Coordinator, if/when these contracts or positions are filled.

3.11 The CRE shall attend, support Catholic Confirmation Retreats.

CRE shall attend and support the Catholic Confirmation Retreats for the Fort Leonard Wood Catholic community, as a member of the Sacramental Team. The length of retreats shall be determined by the Catholic Priest in consultation with the CRE.  Retreats can be either “day-long" events, at a chapel or off-site or include an overnight (i.e. afternoon of day 1, with an overnight stay and morning of day 2). Support of Confirmation retreat would include, but not limited to, participating in the retreat, assisting with supply requests, facilitating the scheduling of facilities, meals, transportation and equipment to support the retreat. Roles and responsibilities will be distributed across the Sacramental Team.  The retreat agenda and activities will be determined at the Sacramental Team meetings. Coordination with the Sacramental Team is essential for a successful confirmation program and retreat. The Catholic Priest is the Sacramental Team leader. Other team members include the Director of Religious Education, the Catholic Religious Education Coordinators, Parish Coordinator, and the Catholic Youth Coordinator, if when contracts or positions are filled.

Training and Certification

CRE shall provide employees that have received training and experience in religious education.

• CRE/ shall have a Bachelor Degree in Christian Religious Education, or another ministry field from an accredited university. In lieu of a ministry degree, may possess a Bachelor's degree in another field of study from an accredited university and possess two years of work experience in a military chapel environment (paid or volunteer) as a religious education coordinator, Christian school teacher, youth minister, Bible school teacher or related field. 
• Catholic specific training/certification: A religious education/Catechetical Certification will be allowed to be provided by the Archdiocese for the Military Services withing 60 days of engagement, and a minimum of two (2) years teaching experience in a military Catholic Religious Education/Youth oriented program is required for the Catholic portions of this contract. This person shall have the breadth and depth of knowledge necessary to accomplish the day-to-day coordination of the Formation Program. This person shall demonstrate a familiarity with the commitment to the Catholic faith and its doctrines, teaching, and beliefs.
• Effective interaction with individuals from different religious groups is imperative. CRE must protect the pluralistic environment of the Army. Individuals shall not demean, or proselytize for or against any other religious group.
• CRE must have the ability to work effectively in a fluid, fast paced, multi-faceted, pluralistic environment that engenders significant levels of stress and requires a high degree of coordination and cooperation among the chapel staff and the clients who seek assistance. 

Interested Candidates are requested to forward their resume together with three references from individuals who can attest to the candidate’s good work and steadiness.  Candidates who do not possess the specific attributes/qualifications in "Training and Certification" above need not apply. This is a part-time position with compensation based on budget and the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.  

Apply directly at: https://music-ministry.jobsoid.com (scroll down to “Fort Leonard Wood”).  Your application must include three (3) references including one priest or pastor who can attest to your abilities as they relate to this job posting.  References must include: name, title, organization, relationship to you, email address (necessary field) and phone number. Depending on security software, candidates are requested to monitor spam folders for further application communications from MMI.