Catholic Religious Education Director - US Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs

US Air Force Academy Catholic Religious Education

12 Oct 2024

US Air Force Academy

Catholic Religious Education

Director

1

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

Catholic Religious Education (RE) Director, Community Chapel

1 The Catholic RE Director shall: 1) work to develop, enhance, and expedite a comprehensive Catholic RE Program including all required internal (chapel) and external (Archdiocese) documentation. 2) Develop, implement, coordinate, and evaluate RE opportunities for Airmen, cadet candidates, and families of the USAFA Community Chapel Catholic program. 3) Coordinate with the Catholic Chaplain and officiating priest as well as chapel staff, Catholic Community Coordinator (CTOF RE Director), lay ministers, and the Parish Advisory Council (PAC) to carry out administrative and other support of all Catholic programs offered and conducted at the Community Chapel. 4) Provide Catholic Religious Education according to Archdiocese of Military Services (AMS) standards and deliverables as described in 3.5 confirmed by the Catholic Chaplain or assigned priest.

2 Qualifications. This is not an entry level position. Prefer individual with 3 to 5 years of experience in a military chapel or large Catholic Parish. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

2.1 Possess all educational baseline expectations as required by the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS).

2.2 Have a letter of good standing from the candidate’s local officiating priest. This letter must be furnished with initial submission of the candidate’s recommendation. At a minimum the letter must state the individual is in good standing with the Catholic Church and has received the sacraments of initiation. The letter shall be no older than six months from the start of the base period of contract performance by the candidate.

2.3 Must be certified Catechist for Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS). RE Director shall provide this certification to the COR prior to the commencement of JOB DESCRIPTION duties.

2.4 Must be able to lead Catholic children’s programs including Sunday RE, sacramental preparation for reconciliation, Eucharist, and children’s Liturgy of the Word.

2.5 Have the ability to work cooperatively with chapel staff and members of other faith groups for ecumenical, combined, and inter-faith activities.

3 Duties and Responsibilities. The Catholic RE Director shall:

3.1 Coordinate with Catholic chaplain and the officiating priest to arrange space and set-up for Catholic RE programs, children’s church, and ceremonies to include: First Reconciliation, First Communion, confirmation, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), baptisms, mid-week Preparatory School religious education, and Vacation Bible School (VBS). The Catholic RE shall collaborate with PAC officers, volunteers, lay leaders, and members of the Community Chapel in carrying out the responsibilities under the direction of the Catholic Chaplain or officiating priest.

3.2 Collaborate with the Catholic chaplain or officiating priest to develop and submit an annual calendar of events, Chapel Tithes and Offering Fund (CTOF) and appropriated funds budgets, an annual RE curriculum order to include all required supplies to the Deputy Wing Chaplain and Wing Chaplain for approval as determined by local instructions.

3.3 Identify and coordinate Chapel Tithes and Offerings or Appropriated Funds (APF) budget requests to support the Religious Education Program to the Catholic chaplain.

Purchase items IAW local operating instructions once the request has been coordinated, vetted, signed, and approved.

3.4 Submit CTOF and APF budget requests prior to 1 May for the following fiscal year budget.

3.5 Oversee registrations and payments, respond to inquiries, and create a working folder for the RE program. Submit and file history reports and after-action reports (AAR) for future reference by the Catholic chaplain or officiating priest.

3.6 Coordinate all purchase documents and the purchase of supplies necessary for the RE program as approved by the Catholic chaplain or officiating priest. Submit documents to the Account Manager in a timely manner to ensure timely completion.

3.7 Oversee and maintain work relating to stated RE programs, including a family database, program registration records, class lists, volunteer information, and sacramental records.

The Religious Education Coordinator shall record each person’s sacrament as required by the AMS for permanent record.

3.8 Oversee the recordkeeping process of enrollment and attendance for all Catholic RE activities and services.

3.9 Schedule and organize, in collaboration with the appropriate Protestant program leaders, ecumenical events that (such as VBS). RE coordinator will consult with the assigned program Chaplain, recruit volunteer teachers and staff, and order the appropriate materials when program needs dictate.

3.10 Schedule and organize, in collaboration with the Catholic Chaplain, religious education retreats or special chapel-wide events in accordance with the approved Airman Ministry Plan.

3.11 RE Director must maintain AMS and local diocese certification and stay current on religious and sacramental expectations from the AMS and local diocese.

3.12 Meet weekly (or as required by the lead faith group chaplain or Wing Chaplain) during normal chapel duty hours (7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. MST) with the Catholic chaplain or officiating priest and Chapel staff, to present religious formation information (may be at a regularly scheduled chapel staff meeting). Attend the Catholic Parish Advisory Council (CPAC) meetings to present information. Provide a brief written report on activities to be submitted for the minutes for the CPAC.

3.13 Maintain all sacramental records for the Catholic program; shall notify the AMS and ensure relevant parishes receive notice of all sacramental rites conducted at the Community Chapel; record all necessary correspondence and information; maintain records of sacramental preparation completed by those preparing to receive baptism, Eucharist, confirmation, and matrimony; and assist the Catholic chaplain or officiating priest with completing the chaplains’ quarterly reports for the AMS. Also, the Catholic RE shall maintain pre-marriage records for submittal to the AMS.

3.14 Coordinate and setup room requirements for the Catholic mid-week preparatory school and Airman’s Religious Education program. Recruit staff, procure necessary materials and supplies, train volunteer staff as needed, and supervise this activity.

3.15 Maintain and advertise as many regular office hours (Monday through Sunday) as are requisite for all described duties and sufficient to provide for regular published access by parishioners at the Community Chapel. Office schedule must be approved by the Catholic Chaplain. The Community Chapel will provide office space with a desk, chair, computer, printer, filing cabinets, bookcases, phone, expendable office supplies, and other items deemed necessary to perform services as described in this JOB DESCRIPTION.

3.16 Maintain a current comprehensive list of all Catholic RE volunteers to include roles, training and hours volunteered.

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 section "2 Qualifications" 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 “US Air Force Academy”) in order to expedite your application.  Your application requires providing reference information for (3) individuals 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.