Thank you for your interest in employment with University Unitarian Church. Every day, you'll find dedicated staff working to support UUC's mission. Join us, and you'll work with a diverse group of talented and dedicated individuals. As a UUC staff member, you'll enjoy benefits that enhance your quality of life as well as your work. Depending on the type of position, benefits may include medical insurance, a flexible spending account, pension plan, flexible scheduling, professional development and training, and generous holiday, vacation, and sick-leave packages. Again, thank you for your interest in our church.

Director of Religious Education - Job Announcement

The University Unitarian Church, a Welcoming Congregation, is actively seeking qualified candidates for the position of Director of Religious Education. This is a full time leadership position that reports directly to UUC’s Senior Minister. The DRE is currently responsible for a church school with programs for children and youth ranging from infants through high school students. We are interested in candidates who would help us explore the transition to a Lifespan Religious Education Program.

Our Congregation

UUC is located near a major university (University of Washington) in Seattle, WA. At UUC, people share liberal religious ideas in the spirit of fellowship and express those beliefs by how we act in the world. Our church vision statement is “We are a people who thrive by nurturing the spirit within, healing hurts, restoring hopes and celebrating our lives together. We strive for justice in the world by building caring communities, honoring our heritage, and leaving a legacy of love.” Together we worship, encourage spiritual growth, participate in social and community action, enjoy our differences, celebrate music and art, and nurture our children's religious growth.

UUC is the largest Unitarian Universalist church in the Puget Sound area. It continues to grow and to thrive, with nearly 900 adult members and a church school of more than 350 children and youth. University Unitarian Church has a long history and proud tradition of working for social justice. Our congregation has been working for nearly a century to make our community more just and compassionate through direct service, public witness, and activism.

Our Religious Education Program

Our Church School programs teach, promote, and celebrate Unitarian Universalist religious identity and personal spiritual growth. We believe that children, their parents, guardians, siblings, and all of the adults in our congregation are both learners and teachers in this process. In a safe caring environment we strive to nurture each individual child and encourage a sense of community within each classroom and in the whole religious education program that culminates in a “coming of age” experience for our eighth grade. We provide our children with the opportunity to explore a variety of ideas during their years at UUC – from Unitarian Universalism and our Judeo-Christian heritage to world religions and social justice. Through social service projects, we help our young people gain an understanding of the diverse needs, abilities, faiths, and challenges of both the local and global communities.

This Position

With the support and assistance of a Children and Youth Program Committee, we would expect our Director of Religious Education possess the following qualities as they apply to different areas of responsibility:

• Visionary in evaluation of the Religious Education Program with an open mind to its change and expansion if needed
• Focused in administration of our church school program including recruitment and training of volunteer teachers as well as curriculum review and revision as needed
• Empowering in supervision of at least two part time staffpersons: one who provides administrative and program support and one who cordinates the youth programs
• Knowledgeable in the creation and support of age appropriate spiritual development
• Clear and powerful in communication with all the constituencies involved in the religious education program
• Collaborative in the development of effective teams and in relations with the Ministers, the CYP Committee, teachers, parents and children
• Strategic in oversight of the program budget as it applies to resources and supplies

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in education or a related field is preferred. This position requires a commitment to Unitarian Universalist Principles, but previous membership in a Unitarian Universalist congregation is not essential. It is more important that the person have experience in teaching children and youth and a demonstrated history of educational leadership including curriculum development and instructional expertise. Experience in adult education would be a plus.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary, dependent on skills, education, and experience. In addition, we offer full health insurance benefit (option for dental), 14% UUA pension plan, paid holidays and vacation time, professional development funds, and relocation expenses up to $5,000.

Additional Resources

• A letter from the DRE Search Committee
• Results from a congregational survey on the DRE position
• UUC Annual Report 2008
• UUC's newsletter, The Gateway
• Youth Program
• Social Justice Program

And some additional resources for relocation:

• Seattle Times Real Estate
• Seattle Chamber of Commerce
• Seattle's Craig's List

Communication

Please send a letter of interest, resume and complete statement of how your educational philosophy and personal experience reflects the desired qualities stated above to Dave Golden, Chair, DRE Search Committee, 2128½ N 135th St, Seattle, WA 98133-7816. The deadline for receipt of applications is January 31, 2009. Email may be directed to Dave Golden, Chair, Search Committee.