Job Title: Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator
Reports to: Senior Minister
Salaried or Hourly: Hourly, 20 hours per week, $36-$38 per hour
Eligible for Overtime: Yes, with approval from Supervisor
Job Titles Supervised: Volunteers and Staff for Childcare, Youth, and Children’s Ministry
General Purpose: The Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator at First Congregational Church of Alameda (FCCA) will plan faith formation opportunities on Sunday mornings for children aged 0-12 in coordination with families, the Senior Minister, and the Faith Formation Team. They will also supervise childcare providers. The Coordinator will lead the Youth Group (grades 6-12) by fostering an inclusive, supportive community for young people and creating engaging group sessions focused on supporting youth through their faith journey. We encourage members of the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and all Bay Area communities to apply.
Essential Duties & Responsibilies
Children’s Faith Formation
Coordinate a Children’s Ministry program that engages the whole child – heart, mind, body, and soul – in collaboration with the Senior Pastor and the Faith Formation Team.
Choose age-appropriate and progressive Faith Formation materials and curricula that engage kids and incorporate multi-sensory learning styles.
Recruit, train, and schedule congregant volunteers to teach Children’s Church two Sunday mornings a month for children in grades K-5. This includes a volunteer to read the lesson, volunteers to engage children in arts and crafts, and volunteers to lead the children in a physical activity, spiritual practices, or musical activity.
Provide volunteers with easy access to the chosen children’s curriculum online and in the Children’s Church room, and make sure it is updated on a regular basis.
As appropriate, communicate with families about Children’s Church and other youth and children’s activities via email, texts, and phone calls.
Set up the Children’s Church area as needed.
Regularly lead or empower volunteers to lead the Time with the Children in adult Worship.
If time allows, organize, plan, and lead occasional TGIF family nights at the church. This includes recruiting volunteers to help lead activities, arranging for childcare, arranging for food to be provided, and coordinating with the Senior Pastor to lead activities.
Youth Group
Lead our middle school and high school youth (6th – 12th grade) in Youth Group meetings, events, and service activities that encourage and empower them to increase their knowledge and experience of the Christian faith. The goal is to hold Youth Group meetings after church two Sunday afternoons a month. Additional Youth Group social and service events may also be planned with youth and their families.
Regularly communicate plans for the Youth Group (to youth, parents, staff, and church members) and coordinate volunteers and staff for Youth Group meetings and events.
Build meaningful connections with youth across different settings, respecting their interests and experiences.
Understand and employ youth development principles by empowering FCCA teens to take leadership roles in Youth Group planning meetings by choosing topics and organizing activities.
Inspire and support youth engagement in social justice and community service initiatives.
Reach out to less-involved youth with empathy, understanding their unique circumstances, and finding ways to make them feel welcomed and valued.
Offer support and allyship to young people associated with FCCA, especially those facing challenges.
Lead and plan an every-other-year week-long service trip in the summer (usually through the Sierra Service Project) for the youth; this includes helping the youth organize fundraising and other planning activities throughout the year. The next service trip is tentatively planned for the summer of 2026.
Community Life
Actively cultivate relationships with children, youth, and adults via in-person meetings and phone/video calls as needed.
Actively connect with and engage visitors and newcomers.
Coordinate activities for children and youth for the annual church picnic and other church events.
If time allows, coordinate, with the help of volunteers, the seasonal intergenerational activities such as the Day of the Dead Art Workshop, Advent Wreath Workshop, Christmas Pageant, and Egg Hunt.
Hold and communicate the overall vision and plan for the FCCA Children and Youth Ministry program to the wider church congregation and staff.
Administration
Train and supervise paid childcare providers as well as volunteers.
In collaboration with the Church Office and Facilities Manager, ensure that background check for all staff, officers, and youth and children’s program volunteers are administered properly. Facilitate the overall implementation of the Safe Church Policy.
Communicate with families about Children’s Church and Youth Group activities via email, texts, and phone calls when appropriate and in a timely manner according to Safe Church Policy.
Oversee the upkeep of the children’s and youth ministry areas of the church.
Check in weekly with the Senior Pastor (supervisor).
Participate in monthly staff meetings and other team meetings when need arises.
Meet monthly with the Children and Youth Faith Formation volunteer team online in the evening.
Communicate weekly ministry updates with the families of children and youth.
Update the Faith Formation sections of the church website.
Gather attendance data and produce attendance reports related to children and youth.
Assist in developing and monitoring budget line items relating to children and youth ministries.
Core Qualities & Skills:
Eligible candidates will:
Be a person of deep faith with a background in the basics of the Christian faith; seminary experience is a plus.
Be committed to a progressive and inclusive expression of the Gospel.
Have a vision and passion for nurturing the faith and spiritual growth of children and youth in ways that engage heart, mind, body, and soul and build intergenerational relationships.
Understand basic youth development principles, and have experience in effectively engaging with youth (grades 6-12) in youth group-type settings.
Have a vision and passion for the church’s call to serve our wider community and work for inclusion and systemic justice for all those who are marginalized and oppressed.
Be fully accepting of diversity as is consistent with an open and affirming church.
Work cooperatively and compassionately with persons of all ages, races, religious traditions, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
Work collaboratively and collegially as part of a pastoral and staff team.
Be innovative, creative, adaptable, and open to growth and change.
Take initiative, organize and prioritize tasks, effectively manage time, attend to details, and complete tasks in a timely manner.
Listen deeply and maintain confidential information reliably.
Problem-solve in ways that encourage cooperation and collaboration among all who serve the church.
Communicate effectively in writing, face-to-face, on the phone, and via a variety of social media as appropriate.
Respond to feedback in a receptive and constructive fashion.
Be able to use the computer applications G Suite, MS Office, Constant Contact, WordPress, Facebook, and other social media platforms.
Minimum Requirements:
Education: A high school degree is required. A college graduate with some seminary education or training in Christian faith formation is preferred.
Experience: Experience as staff or as a volunteer in leading Faith Formation programs for children and youth and in recruiting, empowering, and organizing volunteers is required.
Adherence to FCCA’s Safe Church Policy: This position is responsible for understanding and implementing the FCCA Safe Church Policy. This includes completing and passing a background check before employment, completing all trainings required by the FCCA Safe Church Policy, and ensuring all staff and volunteers are trained and adhere to the policies and guidelines.
Working Conditions:
The position is part time and hourly. The hourly pay range is $36 to $38 per hour based on qualifications and experience.
Weekly Sunday attendance is required in person.
Weeknight administrative and planning meetings are required and may be in person or online.
Attendance is required at weekly supervision meetings with the Senior Minister and monthly full-staff meetings.
Occasional time off is available when advance notice is given and time off is approved.
To apply, email resume to jobs@fccalameda.org
