Director of Faith Formation

Catholic Diocese Of Fort Worth•Fort Worth, TX

7d•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 position ensures formation adheres to the Magisterial teachings of the Catholic Church and Diocese of Fort Worth guidelines and directives. As a member of the parish staff and administration team, the Director contributes to parish-wide decisions and articulates the Diocese’s catechetical and pastoral vision of formation within the parish. The Director develops catechetical frameworks grounded in the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and supports evangelization and catechesis, including kerygmatic catechesis and Salvation History. The role oversees programs and curriculum for all ages, sacramental preparation, catechetical materials, and the recruitment, training, supervision, and formation of catechists and volunteers. The Director also leads the formation team, administers the department budget, evaluates program effectiveness, ensures Safe Environment compliance, coordinates adult formation opportunities, and maintains student and sacramental records. The position works in an office environment and public spaces and is subject to stress from changing needs, deadlines, and heavy workloads. It routinely uses standard office equipment and is largely sedentary, with filing and other physical tasks as described. Infrequent car travel to the Diocese, parishes, and/or Catholic Center may be required. Nights, weekends, and holidays are required. This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week, exempt, on-site position.

Requirements

Practicing Catholic, faithful to the Magisterium, and in good standing with the Catholic Church.
Two to five years of successful parish experience coordinating a total parish faith formation program.
Demonstrated competence in theology and catechetics.
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 parish software.
Knowledge and competency in catechetical methodology and pedagogy in accordance with Magisterial documents on catechesis.
Detail-oriented and organized, with a demonstrated ability and willingness to learn.
Demonstrated good judgment, adaptability, and flexibility.
Ability to listen empathetically, make peace, and de-escalate.
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 tasks, including bending or standing, reaching, and climbing a stepladder to access files.
Ability to perform computer keyboard and database-entry work requiring hand and wrist movements.
Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Theology, Faith Formation, Catechesis, Religious Education, or a related field.
Bilingual Spanish/English skills.

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of the parish staff and administration team, participate in decisions about parish direction and activities, and attend required staff, department, Diocesan, formation, prayer, and educational meetings.
Articulate the Diocese’s catechetical and pastoral vision of formation within the parish.
Develop a catechetical framework using the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and foster evangelization and catechesis, with emphasis on kerygmatic catechesis and Salvation History.
Develop, implement, and provide catechesis for parents in their role as primary teachers of the faith.
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with parishioners, 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 development and selection of catechetical programs; approve curricula for all age levels in accordance with Diocese of Fort Worth norms and sacrament guidelines; and select and purchase English- and Spanish-language materials.
Oversee sacramental preparation programs, including RCIA/OCIA, infant baptism preparation, and preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation.
Recruit, train, supervise, and provide catechetical and pedagogical formation for catechetical volunteers; encourage volunteers to participate in Diocesan formation and certification programs.
Supervise parish catechetical offerings for all ages, catechists, and program volunteers.
Lead and supervise the formation team, including providing guidance, professional development, resources, performance management, and evaluation for the Assistant Director of Faith Formation, Coordinator of Religious Education, and Formation Administrative Assistant.
Schedule regular formation staff meetings to build faith community and provide professional in-service growth.
Prepare and administer the Formation Department operating budget in accordance with parish and Diocesan policy; monitor expenditures and payroll timesheets, oversee materials and supply expenditures, and coordinate budget submissions and monthly reports with business and finance managers.
Conduct regular evaluations 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, including 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 and staff formation and spiritual growth 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 development in catechesis and evangelization.
Use adaptable and flexible leadership and problem-solving; clarify supervisors’ needs and directives, manage logistics, and communicate needs and barriers in a timely, 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 RCIA/OCIA.
Complete other assigned projects and tasks.