Elementary Program Associate

Wooddale Church•Eden Prairie, MN

6d•$41,000 - $50,000•Onsite

About The Position

Wooddale Church is a multigenerational, Bible-teaching church in Minnesota with campuses in Eden Prairie, Edina, and the University of Minnesota. Its mission is to honor God by making more disciples for Jesus Christ through local and global ministry. The Elementary Program Associate provides leadership for the planning, development, implementation, and continual improvement of elementary and Pre-K programming at the Eden Prairie Campus. The role helps ensure ministry experiences are biblically faithful, immersive, developmentally appropriate, engaging, safe, and aligned with Wooddale Church’s discipleship strategy. In partnership with the Children’s Ministry Director and Woods Kids staff team, the Associate supports curriculum implementation, classroom environments, ministry innovation, volunteer leadership, and children’s spiritual formation. The position includes weekday, evening, weekend, and seasonal ministry responsibilities; an on-campus presence including Sunday mornings; and occasional travel to other Wooddale campuses. The work involves supporting children and volunteers in ministry settings as well as curriculum development, planning, communication, and administration. The salary range is $41,000–$50,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Requirements

Demonstrates a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and wholehearted support of Wooddale Church’s mission, vision, and values.
Strong understanding of child development and age-appropriate discipleship.
Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and project management skills.
Ability to recruit, lead, equip, and encourage volunteers.
Must become or remain a regular participant in weekend services and a member in good standing at Wooddale Church.
Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
Sufficient physical mobility and stamina to support ministry activities during Sunday morning services, Wednesday evening programming, and occasional special events.
Ability to communicate effectively in person and electronically with children, parents, volunteers, and ministry team members.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Children’s Ministry, Family Studies, or a related field preferred.
Experience working or volunteering in a large children’s ministry setting preferred.
Experience with Microsoft Office, Planning Center, and ministry software preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead development, coordination, and execution of elementary (K–4) programming on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings (WOW), during CWKs, and at age-specific special events.
Create engaging, immersive, developmentally appropriate environments that help children know Jesus, understand Scripture, build relationships, and take next steps in faith.
Oversee elementary ministry experiences, including Fourth Grade Ministry, children’s worship, student-led worship, and technology teams.
Implement, customize, and evaluate elementary curriculum for biblical accuracy, developmental appropriateness, and alignment with the church’s discipleship strategy.
Develop teaching resources, volunteer materials, and family discipleship tools that reinforce biblical truth beyond weekly programming.
Develop and implement spiritual formation and student leadership pathways, including the transition from Fourth Grade Ministry into 5/6 Ministry.
Recruit, interview, onboard, equip, and provide ongoing care for elementary ministry volunteers serving Sundays, Wednesdays, special events, and CWKs.
Identify volunteer needs, assess strengths and gifts, determine ministry placements, and establish weekly volunteer coverage requirements.
Lead and support elementary volunteers during programming, addressing classroom needs, performance concerns, and ministry challenges.
Plan, program, and execute elementary-specific events, family experiences, and CWKs elementary activities.
Determine event programming, volunteer needs, ministry activities, and classroom requirements, partnering with the Operations Coordinator on logistics, communications, and administrative processes.
Ensure elementary ministry environments are safe, welcoming, organized, creative, and spiritually engaging.
Collaborate with the Nursery–Pre-K Ministry Coordinator on shared ministry initiatives, family experiences, and transitions between age groups.
Partner with the Operations Coordinator to support volunteer onboarding requirements, scheduling administration, ministry communications, and operational workflows.
Provide approved volunteer assignments and ministry information to the Operations Coordinator and Administrative Assistant for processing and documentation.
Attend staff meetings, planning meetings, trainings, and ministry events; maintain an on-campus presence including Sunday mornings.
Occasionally travel to other Wooddale campuses.