Director of Faith Formation

Catholic Diocese Of Fort Worth•Fort Worth, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Faith Formation plans, integrates, implements, oversees, and evaluates religious education and sacramental preparation for the parish community, with a primary focus on catechetical formation for all ages and a strong emphasis on adult formation. The role ensures that catechetical formation adheres to the Magisterial teachings of the Catholic Church and complies with Diocese of Fort Worth guidelines and directives. The Director serves on the parish staff and administration team, contributes to parish decision-making, and articulates the diocesan catechetical and pastoral vision of formation within the parish. The Director develops and oversees catechetical programs and curricula for all age levels, oversees sacramental preparation, selects and purchases catechetical materials in English and Spanish, recruits and trains catechetical volunteers, and supervises catechetical offerings, catechists, and program volunteers. The position also leads the formation team, including the Assistant Director of Faith Formation, Coordinator of Religious Education, and Formation Administrative Assistant, and is responsible for their guidance, professional development, resourcing, performance, and evaluation. Administrative responsibilities include preparing and administering the Formation Department operating budget, monitoring expenditures and timesheets, coordinating budget submissions and monthly reports, evaluating program effectiveness, ensuring Safe Environment compliance, and managing confidential and personally identifiable information and student and sacramental records. The Director also coordinates the Parish Mission team under the Pastor’s direction and works with the Vocations Committee to promote religious and consecrated life. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, exempt, and onsite. It works in typical office environments and public spaces and may involve stress from changing needs, tight deadlines, and heavy workloads. Nights, weekends, and holidays are required. Infrequent car travel to the Diocese, parishes, and/or Catholic Center may be required.

Requirements

Practicing Catholic, faithful to the Magisterium, and in good standing with the Catholic Church.
Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Faith Formation, Catechesis, Religious Education, or a related field (preferred).
Two to five years of successful parish experience coordinating a total parish faith formation program and demonstrated competence in theology and catechetics (preferred).
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Excellent time-management skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Willingness and ability to learn how to use parish software effectively.
Demonstrated competency in theology and catechetics, and knowledge of catechetical methodology and pedagogy in accordance with Magisterial documents on catechesis.
Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to learn, sound judgment, adaptability, and flexibility.
Ability to listen empathetically, make peace, and de-escalate situations.
Ability to honor and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to receive, understand, retain, and complete verbal and written tasks.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to provide excellent customer service and work efficiently with staff, clergy, religious, and laity.
Ability to work well with people from diverse audiences.
Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance and up to 60 pounds with assistance.
Ability to perform filing and related movements, including lifting files, opening filing cabinets, bending or standing, reaching files on multiple shelf levels, and climbing a stepladder.
Ability to perform database entry using a computer keyboard, requiring hand and wrist movements.
Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to make infrequent car travel to the Diocese, parishes, and/or Catholic Center if required.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Spanish/English ability is highly desirable but not required.
Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Faith Formation, Catechesis, Religious Education, or a related field.
Two to five years of successful parish experience coordinating a total parish faith formation program and demonstrated competence in theology and catechetics.

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of the parish staff and administration team and participate in decisions about parish direction and activities.
Attend staff, department head, diocesan DRE, and Faith Formation team meetings, as well as prayer days and educational days.
Articulate the Diocese’s catechetical and pastoral vision of formation within the parish.
Develop a catechetical framework for initial catechesis using the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Foster evangelization and catechesis throughout the parish, with emphasis on kerygmatic catechesis and Salvation History.
Develop and implement catechesis for parents in their role as primary teachers of the faith.
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with parishioners, including parents and families.
Obtain the Pastor’s approval and support for the general direction of parish formation and keep the Pastor informed about formation programs.
Oversee the development and/or selection of catechetical programs and approve curricula for all parish age levels in accordance with diocesan norms and sacrament guidelines.
Select and purchase catechetical materials in English and Spanish for parish use.
Oversee sacramental preparation, including R.C.I.A. (O.C.I.A.), Infant Baptism Preparation, and preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation.
Recruit and train catechetical volunteers and provide formation in best practices and pedagogy.
Supervise catechetical offerings for all ages, catechists, and program volunteers, and encourage volunteers to participate in diocesan catechist formation programs.
Lead and supervise the formation team, providing guidance, professional development, resources, performance management, and evaluation.
Schedule regular formation staff meetings to build faith community and provide professional in-service development.
Prepare and administer the Formation Department operating budget in accordance with parish and diocesan policy; monitor expenditures, payroll timesheets, materials, and supplies.
Coordinate with the Business Manager on annual budget submissions and with the Finance Manager on monthly budget reports.
Evaluate the effectiveness of formation and sacramental preparation programs for preschool through high school and adults, in English and Spanish, and report findings quarterly to the Pastor and Business Manager.
Ensure Safe Environment compliance for formation staff, catechists, and adult and teen volunteers, and ensure compliance with and reporting of Virtus Empowering God’s Children training.
Coordinate the Parish Mission team under the Pastor’s direction, including speaker selection and other adult or staff formation opportunities, and ensure required diocesan speaker permissions.
Work with the Vocations Committee to promote vocations to religious and consecrated life.
Pursue personal faith growth and professional advancement through meetings, conventions, workshops, and ongoing professional development in catechesis and evangelization.
Communicate supervisors’ needs and directives, manage logistics, and communicate needs and barriers to success in a timely and professional manner.
Maintain a work process binder and manage the storage and disposal of confidential information and personally identifiable information in accordance with policy and law.
Oversee student records and sacramental preparation records for Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, and R.C.I.A. (O.C.I.A.).
Complete other projects and tasks as assigned.