JOB DESCRIPTION FOR YOUTH GROUP COORDINATOR

DEFINITION:  The Youth Group Coordinator plans and directs activities for approximately Junior and Senior High youth who meet weekly on Sunday evenings for approximately 21/2 hours.  The group also participates in an additional activity once per month outside of the church such as retreats, bowling, picnics, volleyball, Frisbee or the movies.  Parental participation in the activities of the Youth Group is welcomed, supported and encouraged. 

 DUTIES:  The job includes but is not limited to the following:

·       Plan and help lead weekly meetings of the Junior and Senior High United Methodist Youth Fellowship using the Church Educational planner forms.  These forms should be submitted a month in advance to the pastor so that input and coordination of programs is possible. 

·       Plan a monthly activity for youth.

·       Arrange for additional adult supervision at meetings and activities as needed.

·       Encourage youth participation in planning and leadership of programs and meetings.

·       Encourage youth participation in church activities including worship.  It is understood that the youth group coordinator will be in attendance at these events whenever possible.

·       Encourage youth participation in Inland District and Northwest Annual Conference Events.  The coordinator arranges for transportation and chaperones using the church’s youth transportation and chaperone policy.  The Coordinator is strongly encouraged to attend these events.

·       Attend youth retreats and youth mission trips or make sure there are adequate chaperones. 

·       Attend meetings of the Education Committee, Church Council and Program Committee.  Meet as appropriate with the pastor, chair of the Education Committee and the Music Director to coordinate activities. 

·       Work with and support the Youth Council (if one is being used) to plan and coordinate activities for the youth of the church. 

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Strong moral character and Christian faith along with a deep desire to work with and guide the youth of the church are a minimum of skills.  A good communicator and a generally up-beat, happy, confident adult.

 PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS:  The Youth Group Coordinator should have a clear sense of responsibility for the youth they care for and demonstrate good communication skills with youth, their parents, the Pastor and the Staff-Parish Relations committee Chair.  Originality, sense of surprise and a genuine desire to be a kid themselves would be useful.  A bag full of disciplinary tricks and a willingness to teach manners might come in handy too.  This person should be an excellent listener as well and an enthusiastic cheerleader. 

 JOB SKILLS:  Excellent organization skills, an ability to stay within the financial budget and a clear sense of acceptable behavior by the secondary youth must be exhibited.   Good written and verbal communication skills would be most helpful.  Being able to have eyes in the back of your head, the ability to survive 48 hours without sleep and capacity to tell ghost stories might make the job easier!

POSITION RELATIONSHIPS:  The Youth Group Coordinator works under the direction of the Pastor, with additional oversight from the Staff-Parish Relations Committee and the Education Committee. 

 TIME COMMITMENT:  The majority of the hour commitments occur during the school year.   Two and a half hours per week need to be spent at youth group meetings.  Approximately 8 hours per week are scheduled for planning, telephone calls and scheduling.  Time spent at retreats or on special events is also part of the time commitment.  There will be a one week break occurring the week of Christmas and Spring Break for the local schools.   

 BENEFITS:  Salary is set by contract and paid on a fixed monthly or hourly basis.  Upon the approval of the Chair of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, two Sundays of leave during the year will be granted without affecting pay.  It is understood that the Youth Group Coordinator will find volunteers to be responsible for duties on those Sundays.

 EVALUATIONS:  The Youth Group Coordinator will be on probation for three months after which the Staff-Parish Relations committee will conduct an evaluation.  After this, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee will conduct an annual evaluation and the contract is renewable on a yearly basis.