Youth Discipleship Ministries Specialist

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,368 - 63,516; Full time

Job summary

A non-profit organization is seeking a Youth Discipleship Ministries Specialist to supervise youth ministries across divisions. The ideal candidate will handle training for local leaders and manage divisional databases, ensuring efficient operations. Responsibilities include developing training materials and strategies to strengthen youth programs, overseeing logistics for events, and interacting with community corps. This role requires strong organizational skills and prior experience in church youth ministries, along with a passion for empowering youth involvement.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience leading youth ministries.
• Experience in church involvement and Salvation Army preferred.
• Demonstrated ability in project management and leadership training.

Responsibilities

• Oversee youth programs and leader training.
• Manage divisional databases for youth discipleship.
• Coordinate divisional youth events, including camps.
• Participate in monitoring social media and outreach.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Database Management

Event Planning

Curriculum Development

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Youth Discipleship Ministries Specialist

LOCATION/DEPT: Youth Department

REPORTS TO: Divisional Youth Director

FLSA CATEGORY: Exempt

STATUS TYPE: RFT

PAY GRADE: 205

PAY RANGE: $45,368 - $63,516

Who We Are

At The Salvation Army, we are dedicated to “Doing the Most Good”. We are made up of thousands of officers, soldiers, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners working together to holistically meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. We do this through programs designed to combat homelessness and hunger, provide safe spaces for kids after school and on the weekends, achieve and maintain sobriety, and give hope to the hopeless. The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division provides these services to people in need.

Job Summary

The Youth Discipleship Ministries Specialist is to oversee all aspects of Salvation Army organized ministry youth programs, including training of local leaders, managing divisional databases, processing higher awards, and promoting these programs throughout the NCI Division. This role includes developing, promoting, resourcing, and training for corps specific youth ministry programs, emphasizing the growth and sustainability of youth discipleship across the NCI Division.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

• Specialize in Salvation Army organized youth curriculum, equipping corps through resourcing and training, including but not limited to Cradle Roll, Jr. Soldiers, Corps Cadets, Character Building, and Sunday School/ APlay.
• Manage divisional databases, such as Corps Management System and Aplay to ensure accurate statistics for enrollments, graduates, and awards are up to date and accurate by supporting corps with their registrations, giving divisional approval for their youth programming, and submitting items to THQ through the databases.
• Consult corps to assess the current discipleship programs to evaluate and measure their effectiveness, offering solutions and resources for advancement in recommended areas.
• Develop and implement divisional strategies to strengthen and expand youth discipleship ministries, including supporting corps where programs do not currently exist.
• Establish and utilize effective discipleship materials and offer trainings throughout the division to maintain a growing effectiveness with new generations.
• Coordinate and conduct on-site visits to all NCI corps and participate in ministry programming, providing feedback, encouragement, and strategic next steps to local leadership.
• Promote and attend Salvation Army approved youth conferences.
• Participate in the monitoring and maintenance of social media and websites.

Special Events

• Develop conceptual plans for divisional youth events in partnership with the Divisional Youth Department Leadership and submit proposals for approval in alignment with divisional event guidelines.
• Oversee approved youth events, coordinating logistics including speakers, contracts, schedules, and program elements.
• Support and participate in the planning and implementation of all divisional youth department events as part of the broader divisional youth department team.

Summer Camp

• Create a 6-8 week conceptual plan for camper Discipleship and oversee the implementation of the approved plan.
• Equip and train summer staff in the discipleship material they will be utilizing.
• Meet regularly with the camp chaplain to coordinate morning and evening bible times in the general sessions. Provide resources to chaplain and small group leaders as needed.
• Track all youth seekers at each camp, maintain records, and provide the information to each corps at the time of pick-up.
• Develop a comprehensive discipleship follow-up plan to support corps and their families after each camp and at the end of the summer.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of all summer camps.

Additional Duties

• Maintain a positive work atmosphere through appropriate conflict management, courteous demeanor, and professional and appropriate communication practices.
• Maintain compliance in The Salvation Army’s “Safe from Harm” Certification.
• Perform other duties as assigned as related to the needs of the position.

Other Duties

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree is preferred
• Experience: Salvation Army experience and church involvement are expected and required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience leading, coordinating, and evaluating comprehensive youth discipleship and summer camp programs, including curriculum development, database management, leadership training, event planning, and cross-functional collaboration, with demonstrated ability to equip church leaders, strengthen ministry effectiveness, and support youth spiritual development initiatives.
• Valid Driver’s license/MVR clearance

JOB LIMITATIONS

• This individual will only commit Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
• This individual will keep the Divisional Youth Secretaries and the Candidates Secretary or the Divisional Youth Director informed on all critical issues relating to their areas of responsibility.
• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is required to do moderate physical work and must be able to lift 25lbs.
• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use Microsoft 365 computer programs and standard office equipment.
• The work environment for this position includes a low-noise level office environment at DHQ. For events and summer camp, expect a moderate to high noise level in an indoor and outdoor work environment.
• Must be able to drive and walk stairs.
• Must be able and willing to travel to NCI corps and camps.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors. This would include but not be limited to such actions: resolution of conflicts in a positive manner; courteous treatment of staff, clients, and visitors; respect of others’ property and person, professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates. Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact, and colleague with respect and dignity and without discrimination.

COMPETENCIES

• Willing to promote the mission of The Salvation Army.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Uses diplomacy and good judgment.
• Demonstrates ability to use initiative and be a self-starter.
• Attentive to detail, procedures, processes, and policies.
• A positive attitude and the ability to be flexible in light of changing job situations/priorities.
• An ability to work with confidential material.
• An ability to manage projects, priorities, and programs in a constantly changing environment.
• A communication and management style that exhibits the principles and values of the Army as well as fosters team relationships and effectively communicates information.
• An extensive knowledge of working in cross-cultural and urban environments.
• An extensive knowledge of childhood development

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• This position reports to the Divisional Youth Director.
• In contacts related to this position’s duties, this individual acts as a representative of The Salvation Army and its mission.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved through a review of their timeliness, accuracy, and the quality of their accomplishment of assigned goals. An evaluation and performance review will be conducted at 30, 60, and 90 days.

THE SALVATION ARMY MISSION STATEMENT

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.