Middle School Youth Ministry Coordinator - St. James Parish - Arlington Heights - Vic. I

Archchicago; Arlington Heights (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

St. James Parish in Arlington Heights is seeking a full-time Middle School Youth Ministry Coordinator to lead faith formation for grades 6–8 and coordinate Confirmation preparation.

The role reports to the Director of Family Faith Formation and works with a collaborative Evangelical Team. Responsibilities include planning weekly EDGE programs, organizing service trips, retreats, and volunteer development while ensuring Safe Environment compliance and budget stewardship.

Qualifications

• Catholic faith and adherence to Church teachings required.
• BS/BA in theology, education, pastoral studies, or related field (or equivalent).
• Advanced certificate in Catechetical Leadership, Religious Education, or Youth Ministry preferred.
• Lay Ministry or Diaconate training highly desired.
• Experience in education administration, program coordination, or volunteer training.
• VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children certification required.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and social media.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and evaluate weekly EDGE programs as staff leader.
• Lead annual Summer Work tour service trips with teens.
• Organize grade-level retreats for grades 6–8 with Campus Minister.
• Set goals for enrollment, engagement, and catechist development.
• Prepare middle schoolers for Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion; counsel families.
• Recruit, train, and lead adult volunteers for Sunday meetings and trips.
• Foster relationships with volunteers and ministry leaders.
• Communicate clearly with students, families, and parish.
• Manage youth ministry budget and funding projections.
• Schedule and plan Confirmation masses; track requirements.
• Coordinate with Youth Ministry team on programming and formation.
• Ensure Safe Environment compliance at all times.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Volunteer management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team leadership

Religious instruction

Education

BS/BA in theology/related field

Advanced Catechetical Leadership certificate

Lay Ministry/Diaconate training

Experience in education administration

Tools

MS Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Web content management

Social media

Job description

Middle School Youth Ministry Coordinator - St. James Parish - Arlington Heights - Vic. I

The Middle School Youth Ministry Coordinator will be a full-time member of the parish’s Pastoral Staff and will report to the Director of Family Faith Formation as part of our Evangelical Team. This coordinator will be responsible for the faith formation and Confirmation preparation ministry for youth in grades 6-8. In collaboration with other members of the Pastoral Staff, they will lead the parish’s catechetical, evangelization, and outreach efforts to assist this larger mission. This position offers great opportunities to be creative, think outside the box and grow ministries already in place in a collaborative environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, implement, and evaluate weekly programs as the staff leader of EDGE
• Collaboratively plan and lead annual week-long Summer Work tour service trips, accompanying teens across the country to grow in faith and justice
• Organize grade-level retreats for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade confirmands twice annually with the
  Campus Minister
• Establish measurable goals for enrollment, family engagement, catechist development, student participation, and continued faith formation beyond sacramental preparation years
• Develop, track, and support preparation for middle schoolers who seek Baptism, Reconciliation, and First Holy Communion; counsel these souls and their families
• Recruit, train, design formation, and lead a team of adult volunteers to assist in planning, facilitating, and chaperoning Sunday meetings, Work tour trips, and retreats
• Cultivate personal relationships with volunteers and ministry leaders to support their relationship with Jesus and foster a strongly catechized community, meeting with each female team member at least twice each year
• Communicate clearly and timely with students, families, volunteers, and the broader St. James community
• Manage the youth ministry budget, articulate funds used and projected for program success
• Schedule and plan Confirmation masses
• Track Confirmation requirements
• Coordinate with the Youth Ministry team to support adult leaders, programming decisions, delegation of tasks, and formation opportunities
• Ensure that Safe Environment requirements are upheld at all times, creating spaces where young people are safe and can flourish
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Practicing Catholic who fully adheres to and models the Church’s teachings of faith and morals.
• Education: BS or BA in theology, education, pastoral studies, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Preferred: Advanced Certificate in Catechetical Leadership, Religious Education, or Youth Ministry from a Catholic Institution or diocese.
• Completion of Lay Ministry program, Diaconate program, or other extensive non-academic, formalized ministerial training is highly desired.
• Experience in the field of education, administration, management, program/level coordinator, training of volunteer catechists, youth ministers and/or other ministers.
• Compliant with the VIRTUS - Protecting God’s Children program.
• Strong organizational, communication (written and oral), and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead and inspire volunteers and middle and high school students.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, web content management, and social media.
  

The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here .

This position has a salary range of $50,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.