nURSERY/pRESCHOOL WORKER

Qualifications include a love for God and God’s children, experience caring for infants and preschoolers, and a minimum age of 18. Previous experience in child care is preferred and a background check will be required. Compensation is $12 per hour. Hours available include: Sunday mornings from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Wednesday evenings from 5:15 – 7:45 p.m., and Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

*Please send a cover letter and resume to churchoffice@state-streetumc.org.
For more information, call the church office at 276 669-2101 and speak with Cheri Zaras.

Full-time (exempt), flexible schedule with some work-from-home options.
Compensation: $27,000 – $31,000/year, based upon education and experience.
Bachelor’s degree in education, ministry, or related field and 2+ years experience working with children and families preferred.

Individual Health and Dental Coverage – Employer pays 100% of premium
Retirement contribution of up to 6% with employee match
Training opportunities in best-practice modalities 
Paid Time Off 
Observed holidays
Flexible work schedule
Positive and welcoming work environment with a team atmosphere 

Bachelor’s degree in education, ministry, or related field preferred.
Experience working with children and families required.
Ability to plan and facilitate a variety of engaging opportunities for fellowship, service, and spiritual education for children from birth to fifth grade.
Serve as a model of Christian discipleship and nurture spiritual formation for children from birth through fifth grade.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Able to recruit and manage volunteers.
Effective at building relationships of trust and respect with children, families, church staff, and congregation.
Work as part of a team and show professionalism.
Experience providing trauma-informed care to at-risk children and families.
Able to track and juggle multiple projects at a given time.
Proactive – able to anticipate arising needs and take ownership over activities.
Basic skills around Microsoft office and other general computer skills

Programming Responsibilities

The Children and Family Ministry Coordinator plans and facilitates a variety of engaging and fun opportunities for fellowship, service, education, and spiritual formation for children from birth through fifth grade.

Plans, facilitates, and recruits volunteers to lead regular on-going children’s ministries including, but not limited to:

Sunday morning ministries.
Wednesday evening ministries
F.I.S.H. ministries
Thursday evening Recovery ministry

Gather regular input from volunteers and families regarding regular and ongoing programming

Plans, facilitates, and recruits volunteers to lead seasonal or occasional children’s ministries, activities, and programs, including, but not limited to:

Easter, Halloween, and Christmas programs or activities for children and families
Local mission/service projects 
Summer fellowship and recreational activities
Other seasonal fellowship or hospitality ministries

Regularly reviews, selects, and evaluates the effectiveness of curriculum for various youth ministries and programs, including age level ministries, F.I.S.H., Recovery, etc.

Encourages children to participate in the broader ministries of the congregation, district, and conference, including:

Sunday morning worship services
Church wide service and fellowship opportunities
Conference or district children’s programs
Conference camping ministries

Recruits and ensures the qualifications of church nursery staff and schedules and supervises nursery staff for regular church programming and as needed for special events

Administrative/Communication Responsibilities

The Children and Family Ministry Coordinator oversees the children’s ministry program and maintains effective communication with children, parents, volunteers, fellow staff members, and the congregation.

Regularly recruits and provides training for volunteers, teachers, and mentors to work with children in all activities and programs.
Implements and upholds the congregation’s Safe Sanctuaries policy, both in training volunteers and in leading the activities and programs of the church’s ministries with children under age twelve.
Regularly and effectively communicates with children, parents, volunteers, fellow staff members, and the congregation about upcoming activities, programs, and opportunities via email, text messaging, Phone Tree, website, social media, weekly news insert, and monthly newsletter
Regularly communicates children’s ministry programs and opportunities to the children and families of Spring Garden Preschool.

Pastoral & Nurturing Responsibilities Responsibilities

The Children and Family Ministry Coordinator demonstrates and models the love of Jesus Christ by nurturing and caring for participants in the congregation’s children’s ministries.

Develops and maintains appropriate nurturing relationships with children.
As needed, counsels supports, and prays with children and/or their families during times of need, crisis, sickness, or loss.
Keeps pastors informed of pastoral care needs and opportunities so that the church staff can cooperate to provide the most helpful, effective care possible.

Professionalism

The Children and Family Ministry Coordinator fulfills all his/her responsibilities professionally, courteously, compassionately, and respectfully.

Plans sufficiently to have all needed volunteers, supplies, and arrangements procured or available in advance of each program and/or activity.
Arrives sufficiently early to begin each program and/or activity punctually.
Maintains a neat, professional appearance, both in personal grooming and dress.
Exercises professional courtesy toward fellow staff members, church members, children, parents, volunteers, and guests.
Strives to improve skills and proficiency by participating in at least one continuing education event per year.
Attends and faithfully participates in staff meetings, church council meetings, and other meetings as needed or assigned.
Submits annual budget request to the committee on finance and ensures that all disbursements for children’s ministry are within the allocated parameters.
Promptly submits documentation of all expenditures to the church’s financial administrator.
Graciously performs other responsibilities requested or assigned by the pastor.