Position Title:  Director of Religious Education

Reports to: Minister

Works with: Religious Education Committee, Other staff

Supervises: Nursery Attendants, Volunteers

JOB SUMMARY: 

• Directs religious education programming and development at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter (FUUSE).  Guided by the mission statement of the congregation and our Unitarian Universalist principles and heritage, the DRE develops, implements and administers a religious education program that nurtures a UU identity among FUUSE children.
• Part time position, 20 hours a week, 42 weeks, Sept- mid June.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: 

• BA or equivalent experience
• Expertise in working with multi-age groups of children and youth.
• Experienced working with and supervising adult volunteers 
• Familiar with and supportive of Unitarian Universalist principles, practices and UU religious education models
• Required to be at FUUSE for Sunday services, unless service is virtual.  Other meetings etc. can be remote.
• Ability to effectively communicate with various stakeholder groups including children, parents, volunteers, congregants, and community members
• Ability to clearly communicate information about the RE program in writing through email, newsletters, and reports.
• Ability to Implement and maintain organization systems necessary for managing an efficient and effective RE program and safe facilities.
• Good presentation skills
• Good organizational skills
• Computer literate with word processing, email skills and use of spreadsheets
• Ability to identify safety issues

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Planning and Implementation

• Develop and coordinate children and youth religious education programming so that it reflects and supports the multigenerational vision of FUUSE, including Time for All Ages during each Sunday service. 
• Teach in the classroom, with the help of volunteers.
• Oversee the implementation of religious education programming for school-age children and youth groups.
• Oversee the development and selection of curricula with the advisement, as needed, from the Children’s REC and design curricula as needed
• Coordinate, with the minister and music director, child-friendly worship experiences, including multi-generational services.
• Plan for Junior and Senior Youth Groups and ensure that youth advisors receive training.
• Plan and implement OWL and Coming of Age programs, as needed for the current RE participants.  As time allows, and with approval of the Minister, participates in other congregational events involving Religious Education
• Pursue opportunities for community outreach and the future development of a robust multi-age RE program.

Volunteer Recruitment and Training

• Coordinate with the REC to recruit volunteers for RE programming
• Train and support teachers, substitutes and other needed personnel for the RE program

Administration and Oversight

• Serve and attend monthly Children’s REC meetings (as an ex-officio member)
• Prepare annual Children’s RE Prospectus
• Maintain RE program attendance records and provide these figures to the Minister and the REC quarterly
• Implement policies concerning safe congregation practice
• Hire (with assistance from Personnel Committee), train and supervise nursery staff
• Serve as a liaison between the Minister and the REC
• Develop and implement a plan for children with special needs, as needed.
• Coordinate weekly RE class plans with the Minister’s Sunday service
• Participate in monthly staff meetings.
• Coordinate, as necessary, with Office Manager and Music Director
• In collaboration with the Minister and with REC input, prepare and submit annual budget recommendations to the Finance Committee for Board approval
• Administer the Religious Education budget, with REC input, as needed.

Communication

• Inform the congregation regularly about RE programming, including classes, activities, meetings and social events
• Communicate regularly with RE volunteers
• Address or refer concerns from parents, volunteers, or other RE program stakeholders.
• Coordinate RE facility use and needs to the Facilities Committee.
• Consult with the REC Chair to create monthly meeting agendas.

Professional Development

•  Maintain knowledge of current resources, curricula, best instructional practices for multi-age RE programming, and education theory.
• Participate in professional development and district involvement by attending NH/VT District and UUA meetings, conferences, and training, as time and funds permit.