Director of Religious Education (DRE)

Unitarian Church North is searching for a Part Time Acting Director of Religious Education (Acting DRE).

Unitarian Church North is a welcoming congregation with over 200 members and an active religious education program. We celebrated our 46th anniversary in January 2009. We have two Sunday worship services (9:15 and 11:00 AM) with religious education classes taking place during each of the two services. There are approximately 115 registered children in our religious education program (2008-2009 church year). We are seeking a part time Acting Director of Religious Education for the 2009-2010 church year. We anticipate this year at UCN to be an exciting year with a newly settled minister. This is a 20 hour per week position providing professional leadership to the church school program including planning, administering, and providing support and assistance to all religious education programming for children ages 3 through high school. Job responsibilities highlighted below will be the principle focus of the part-time DRE.

Deadline For Applications is June 1, 2009.

Contact Information

Unitarian Church North
13800 North Port Washington Road
Mequon, WI 53097-1738
Phone: 262-375-3890
FAX: 262-375-3403
e-mail: UCNorth@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.UCNorth.org

Job Details

Accountability: Reports to the Minister

Job Standards

1. Have certification as a UU educator or have equivalent experience.
2. Be able to relate positively with a broad range of people.
3. Possess strong organizational skills and the ability to execute a plan of action.
4. Maintain high professional standards of confidentiality.
5. Be active in congregational affairs and activities.
6. Develop personal and professional expertise continually.
7. Be able to use a computer.
8. Possess a positive attitude and adhere to UUA Code of Ethics.
9. Collaborate successfully with the minister, lay leaders and committee chairs.

Responsibilities

Curriculum
• Evaluate and select published and on-line curricula: as needed, create new curricula so that the materials reflect the stated goals of UCN Religious Education Program.
• Conduct initial training for, and periodically review curricula with, teachers.
• Prepare and publish a curriculum schedule each year by August.
• Remain current with UUA curricula and recommend changes to the Religious Education Committee.

Religious Education
• Model and provide religious education that is consistent with UU Principles
• Provide support to youth and parents as appropriate.
• Coordinate Coming of Age, Our Whole Lives (OWL) and other special programs.
• Coordinate field trips and youth events.
• Work with Youth and Adult Religious Education Committees to develop and support a Lifespan Religious Education Program.
• Supervise and support teaching teams
• Serve as a substitute teacher as needed.

Sunday Services
• Plan, provide and supervise Youth Worship Services
• Collaborate with the minister in planning and integrating intergenerational services and Youth Focus.
• Engage visitors to educate them about the UCN Religious Education Program.

Administration
• Recruit, train, and support teachers, aides, and staff (including nursery staff).
• Develop a calendar of Religious Education activities with the Religious Education Committee, the minister, and the Sunday Services Committee, and coordinate it with other church activities.
• Publish the activity calendar prior to the start of the church year and update it as necessary.
• Communicate with parents and the minister regarding programs and concerns.
• Keep Religious Education registration and attendance records up to date with the aid of an administrative assistant.
• Draft and monitor a budget in cooperation with the Religious Education Committee.
• Participate in other church committees as requested or appropriate.

Religious Education Committee
• Attend monthly Religious Education Committee meetings.
• Inform the Religious Education Committee of program needs, concerns, and current trends, and of changes in Lifespan Religious Education.
• Implement the objectives of the Long Range Plan goals and the Religious Education Mission Statement.
• Communicate supply needs to the Religious Education Committee.

Denominational Involvement
• Participate in UU organizations and events in cluster, district and national levels as appropriate.

Professional Development
• Participate in continuing education by attending courses and keeping current with UUA information and initiatives.
• Engage in personal study to develop skills related to DRE responsibilities.

Evaluation and Goal Setting
• Set and carry out annual personal and professional job-related goals in consultation with the minister and Religious Education Committee
• Perform an annual self-evaluation.
• Participate in evaluation of job performance with the minister annually, or more often as necessary.
• Meet at least quarterly with the DRE Support Committee.