Pastoral Care Associate

St. Joseph's Indian School; Chamberlain (SD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, SD seeks a Pastoral Care Associate to promote Catholic identity and accompany students and staff in a culturally respectful, spiritually vibrant environment on campus.

The role supports Gospel values, Dehonian spirituality, and the Circle of Courage, leading liturgies, religious education, and campus ministry while ensuring safety and inclusion for all. This non-exempt position reports to the Director of Mission Integration and involves evening/weekend

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in an educational or youth setting.
• Active practicing Catholic with strong knowledge of the faith (BFOQ).

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement campus-wide pastoral and spiritual programming.
• Lead liturgies, prayer services, and sacramental celebrations.
• Teach Religious Education for grades 1–8 and support high school faith formation.
• Provide evening and weekend ministry in residential life.
• Accompany students in sacramental preparation.
• Foster Catholic identity and Dehonian spirituality in daily campus life.

Skills

Children experience

Catholic faith

Job description

Summary of Position

The Pastoral Care Associate, as a member of the Mission Integration Team, is responsible for promoting and strengthening the Catholic identity of St. Joseph’s Indian School while accompanying and ministering to both students and staff in a culturally respectful and spiritually vibrant environment.

This role supports the integration of Catholic faith and Native American culture by fostering a living expression of Gospel values, Dehonian spirituality, and the Circle of Courage framework throughout campus life.

Promotion of our Catholic identity includes:

• Develop an active and faith-filled Christian environment on campus
• Promote Dehonian Values
• Increase the spirit of generosity (Circle of Courage value) among our students
• Provide a vibrant liturgy experience
• Supports the Religious Education Classroom experience
• Integrating Native American culture and traditions respectfully within prayer and ceremony

This is a non-exempt position.

Accountability

Reports to the Director of Mission Integration

Core Responsibilities

• Provide direct support in the development and implementation of campus-wide pastoral and spiritual programming
• Collaborate in the planning and leadership of liturgies, prayer services, and sacramental celebrations
• Teach and support Religious Education curriculum for students in grades 1–8 and assist with high school faith formation
• Support residential life through evening and weekend ministry presence in student homes
• Accompany students in sacramental preparation
• Integrate Catholic identity and Dehonian spirituality into daily campus life and student programming
• Foster a safe, welcoming, and spiritually grounded environment for students and staff

Responsibilities

1. Promotes a reclaiming environment for the students through on-going opportunities of encouraging a significant sense of belonging, ensuring experiences for mastery of skills, providing occasion for personal decision making and independence, and helping others through a sense of generosity.
2. In cooperation with the Religious Education Teacher, teaches religious education in the grade school (Grades 1 to 8) and implements the educational curriculum as indicated through writing lesson plans.
3. Acts as a member of the Pastoral Team and contributes to the overall Catholic identity on campus.
4. Works with the Residential Program in the afternoon and evenings, providing prayer and enrichment across the 1st to 12th grade homes.
5. Assists with and prepares students for sacramental reception, i.e. Baptism, Penance, First Communion.
6. In conjunction with the Director of Mission Integration and Religious Education Teacher, provides Religious Education instruction to the high school students.
7. Immediately reports any type of abuse or neglect, suspected or alleged, as well as any serious accidents or illnesses affecting the students.
8. Participates in liturgy planning and assists with Sunday liturgy.
9. Works in the development, planning, and completion of student service projects.
10. Promotes the concept of youth ministry through the involvement of students in various on- and off- campus events.
11. Assists with the completion of state or local reports, surveys, inventories, plans of study, and any form required by St. Joseph’s Indian School.
12. Works towards professional growth by attending workshops and taking continuing education courses.
13. Completes other responsibilities as required by the Director of Mission Integration.

Qualifications

• Experience working with Children
• Active practicing and strong knowledge of the Catholic faith (BFOQ)

Physical Demands

• Uses both hands and wrists repetitively for prolonged periods.
• Driving is required
• Some supervision may require standing for prolonged periods

Expectations of Hours Worked

40 hours/week