Associate Director - Life, Marriage, & Family

Description

Job Summary: 

The Associate Director of Pro-Life, Marriage, and Family is responsible for supporting the direction and implementation the USCCB Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities; coordinating the education and instruction of Catholics and the general public on life issues; and supporting diocesan programs, initiatives, and resources related to the ongoing catechesis and spiritual formation for sacramental marriage and Christian family living. The position reports to the Director of Life, Marriage, and Family and operates with wide latitude for the use of independent judgment and initiative.

Ministerial Character

The Bishop is the visible principle and foundation of unity in the particular Church (the diocese) entrusted to him. In a unique and visible way, he makes Christ’s mission present and enduring as Shepherd of the Christian Community. In order to fulfill his mission, the Bishop employs suitable, chosen collaborators (clerics, religious, or lay people). He shares with them the apostolic mission and entrusts various responsibilities to them. 

Each position employed in the Diocese of Austin helps to extend the ministry of the Bishop in particular ways as outlined in the job description. Therefore, the employee in this position is closely connected to and assists the Bishop in the performance of his ministry and thereby engages in ministry for the church. 

Essential Job Duties:

• As an integral part of your ministry for the Church as carried out in this position, support and uphold the philosophy of Catholic ministry and the mission of the Diocese of Austin in both your professional and personal life.
• Act as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Continuously grow in your ministry by participating in religious ceremonies, training sessions, and reflection activities as directed.
• Implement the standards of the USCCB Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth and the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities (particularly the USCCB Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, the National Pastoral Framework for Marriage and Family, the National Pastoral Framework for Marriage and Family). Advocating for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.) by providing support to parishes.
• Advocate for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death by coordinating education of Catholics and the general      public on the totality of the Gospel of Life and Consistent Ethics of Life.
• Participate in national, regional, and local meetings to learn and apply the framework for the diocesan implementation of the      Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life. 
• Promote chaste living through catechetical programs and resources.
• Organize, promote, and teach Theology of the Body workshops and Natural Family Planning (NFP) courses in English and arrange for their instruction in Spanish.
• Assist in the development of marriage enrichment and crisis support initiatives.
• Oversee and coordinate diocesan marriage preparation, marriage enrichment and marriage dissolution support programs in English and Spanish.
• Assist pastors in the formation of parish leaders which will lead ministry in areas of Pro-life, Marriage and Family life.
• Oversee formation opportunities for family ministry leaders and instructors. 
• Support ministries for post-abortion healing, end-of-life pastoral care, and bioethics education.
• Serve as a resource to parishes on the pastoral care of the family throughout the life cycle.
• Coordinate education of Catholics and the general public on the totality of the Gospel of Life.
• Support activities for Respect Life Sunday and Respect Life Month.
• Maintain relationship with pro-life organizations.
• Maintain an updated list of educational resources to be shared with parishes, schools, and other agencies.
• Participate in the advisory committees associated with Life, Marriage, and Family.
• Support ministries for separated, divorced, or widowed individuals in keeping with Church teaching.
• Provide resources to clergy and parishes to encourage domestic Church spirituality and family prayer.
• Write information for regular communication, using blogs, web-site, social media, etc.
• Monitors the budget and finances associated with Life, Marriage, and Family.
• Maintains a reasonable work schedule that maximizes availability to parishes, diocesan staff, and others.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the structure and basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Ability to teach on pro-life issues and relevant Catholic teachings.
• Ability to operate various work-processing software, spreadsheets, and database programs.
• Ability to work effectively with others (staff, clergy, religious and laity).
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and work effectively with staff, clergy, religious and laity.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and utilize effective time management techniques.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to carry out multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow instructions furnished in verbal or written format.
• Ability to proficiently communicate in English and Spanish (conversing, writing, and reading).
• Ability to use effective and legal supervision strategies and techniques with assigned staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Trainings:

• Bachelor’s degree in theology, psychology, counseling, or related field of study from an accredited American university or equivalent in a foreign country; Master’s degree in theology a plus.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of work experience in a parish, campus, or diocesan ministry that included work with pro-life, marriage, and family ministries.

Language Requirement:

• English (proficient in conversing, reading, and writing).
• Spanish (proficient in conversing, reading, and writing). Preferred but not required.

Catholic Requirement:

• Must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Valid Texas driver’s license.
• Must maintain compliance with the Diocese of Austin Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) policies throughout the employment period.