Director of Children and Youth Programs

Company Description UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF BIRMINGHAM is a progressive religious institution located at 4300 Hampton Heights Drive in Birmingham, Alabama. The congregation is part of the Unitarian Universalist tradition, which emphasizes inclusivity, spiritual exploration, and social justice. The church serves children, youth, and adults through worship, education, and community programming. Staff members work collaboratively with congregants and lay leaders to create welcoming, safe, and engaging spaces. The church values diversity and seeks team members who support its mission of nurturing growth, compassion, and community engagement.

Interim Director of Children and Youth Programs (DCYP)

Job Description

Description

Guided by our Unitarian Universalist Values, the Director of Children and Youth Programs directs and leads the Religious Education (RE) programs for children and youth of the Church, ranging in age from birth to 18 years. This includes planning and administering a comprehensive program that nurtures the spiritual and religious growth of children and youth, and nurtures their UU identity. Training, recruiting, and supporting adult volunteers and staff for this work is a vital element in managing a healthy, thriving program. The DCYP recruits, trains and supports volunteers and staff to play a role in facilitating programs. 

Our program currently welcomes between 20-25 children and youth each week. 

Hours 

Averaging 20 hours per week; Sunday mornings are essential. 

Salary: $32,000 - 34,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience

Reports to: Minister

Supervises: Childcare Workers

Program Planning and Implementation

1. Set goals with the Religious Education Committee (REC) and Minister to create an engaging, holistic, and spiritually enriching overall program arc for our children and youth.
2. Weekly one-on-ones with the Minister, whether by meeting or writing. 
3. Coordinate and oversee children and youth programs.
4. With the REC and Minister, identify, develop, secure, and implement an age-appropriate, multisensory, and multiple intelligences based religious education curriculum for the children and youth of the church. 
5. Work collaboratively with the Minister on intergenerational Sunday services.
6. Delivers Time for All Ages and/or ensures Time for All Ages is covered.
7. Guide special church and other intergenerational events in cooperation with the Religious Education Committee and Minister.
8. Ex-officio to and collaborates with the Religious Education Committee, identifying and securing appropriate resources for the children and youth of the church. 

Volunteer and Staff Recruitment and Training 

1. Work in collaboration with REC to recruit RE teachers for classes on Sunday mornings.
2. Organize and implement RE teacher training and youth advisor training. Check in with teachers and advisors regularly for concerns.
3. Manage, oversee, and schedule childcare workers for Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and special church events as directed. Inform the office, bookkeeper, and minister when changes are made to the staff list. 
4. Ensure teachers are scheduled for Sunday morning RE classes.

Oversight 

1. Manage utilization of space available to the RE program, including classrooms, closet space, and hallways. 
2. Be present and available at the church Sunday mornings from at least 9:30am-12:30pm (refer to the DCYP contract regarding the number of Sundays off per year). During these hours, priority and presence are expected with the children and youth programs.
3. Maintain records of curricula used for each of the respective RE classes, weekly RE attendance, and the volunteer teachers used for each of the respective RE classes. 
4. Implement and enforce church policies concerning children and youth safety, including background checks on volunteers who will be working with children and youth. Background check results should be kept in the main church office. 
5. Annually, work with REC to present a budget request to the Board ahead of their January board meeting.
6. Work with the Bookkeeper to keep RE budget, expenses, files, and records current.

Communications

1. Meet weekly with the Minister and attend weekly staff meetings.
2. Inform the congregation of youth activities in the wider UU community.
3. Communicate to parents and the congregation information on current and upcoming RE program activities.
4. Act as an advocate for the RE Program; communicate concerns of children, youth, and parents to the congregation. 
5. Provide a monthly report to the Minister ahead of the monthly Board of Trustees meeting. Attend the annual stewardship dinner and the meetings of the REC.

Professional Development 

1. Pursue professional development opportunities (with church financial support according to allocated professional expenses). If not already trained, training in Our Whole Lives is required.
2. Participate in Southern Region and UUA Activities for Religious Educators. These activities should not interfere unreasonably with the DCYP’s primary responsibilities, as described above. 
3. Service to the UUA beyond the scope of professional development is to be done on personal time.

Professional Expectations

The DCYP is expected to demonstrate professionalism, reliability, confidentiality, collaboration, and respect for the congregation's mission and policies.

As a representative of UUCB, the DCYP will model Unitarian Universalist values, foster healthy relationships, support the spiritual growth of young people, and help create a congregational culture in which children and youth are welcomed, respected, empowered, and celebrated.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We welcome applicants of diverse backgrounds, identities, beliefs, abilities, and experiences who support our mission and values. Preference will be given to non-church members per our policies.

This job description describes the general responsibilities of the position and may be revised as congregational needs evolve, in consultation with the employee and supervisor.