Job Opening: Children’s & Youth Program Director

Our wonderful Children’s & Youth Program Director is moving away. We are looking for the right person to carry on with the successful program she established.

Foothills Congregational Church seeks a part-time Children’s & Youth Program Director to plan and deliver our Sunday-morning program for Children (Kindergarten through 5th grade) and Youth (6th-12th grades).

Our program incorporates 

• Sing along music videos with thematic tie-in (provided)
• Seasons of the Spirit religious curriculum (provided)
• Craft projects (many are provided in the curriculum)
• Service projects with Foothills’ community agency partners

All ages work together in a single classroom.  You will schedule and develop the weekly lessons and activities, and lead classroom sessions with the help of a Volunteer Aide. (Our Faith Development Committee will find and schedule the Aides.) A more complete description of the Sunday-morning program and the job responsibilities is provided below.  Information about how to apply is at the bottom of this page. We look forward to hearing from you!

Work Schedule

10 hours/week, plus occasional additional hours depending on the season

• Sundays from 9 AM to noon on-site at Foothills
• Additional prep at home and/or on-site as necessary
• Attend one-hour Faith Development Committee Meeting (usually the second Sunday of the month at noon)

Start Date

ASAP

Pay

$40-45/hr depending on experience

Qualifications

The basics:

• high school diploma
• at least 23 years of age
• experience working with children and youth
• ability to use GoogleSheets & GoogleDocs (training can be provided)
• ability to use email
• access to transportation to get to our facility in Los Altos and to purchase reimbursed supplies as needed
• Proof of up-to-date COVID vaccination

And:

If you are highly organized, thoughtful, flexible, a good communicator, friendly and caring, excited to engage children and youth, thrive on managing myriad details to achieve an effective and smoothly-running program, and enjoy working with people of all ages, you may be the person we are looking for!  

About Foothills

Foothills is LGBTQ+ friendly, welcoming to all. We are an equal-opportunity employer: we do not discriminate against employees or applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information. Learn more about us at http://foothills-church.org

Job Description

Sunday Morning Schedule

9:00 – Arrive to set up
10:00 – Program begins in the Sanctuary – children & youth sit with their families
10:15 (approx) – Children’s Time led by pastor (3-5 minutes) – afterwards children & youth depart to the classroom
First Sunday of the Month, time TBD: Children’s Communion led by pastor
11:15 – Classroom session concludes

Detailed Responsibilities

Sunday mornings

• By 9:50 AM:  Make sure classroom is ready for use with all materials set out attractively, furniture is configured properly for the day’s activities, and laptop is ready to run the Sing Along video from the church website. (A laptop will be provided.)
• 9:55 AM:  Be seated in the sanctuary for 10:00 AM service.  Children and youth will sit with their families
• About 10:15 AM:  Children’s Time in the sanctuary
  • Children, youth, Children’s & Youth Program Director (CYPD), and Aide gather by the double doors
  • Pastor conducts Children’s Time
  • CYPD may briefly share info about current or upcoming activities
  • Children, Youth, CYPD and Aide depart for classroom
• Sing Along video:  5 minutes 
• Activity
  • With 1 Volunteer Aide
  • Nametags: Children without a pre-made nametag make their own
  • Welcome circle, introductions, check-in
  • Introduce the theme and scripture
  • Discussion
  • Connecting Activity:  Explain and demonstrate how to do the activity, guide children/youth as needed
  • Record attendance
• time to be determined: First Sunday of the Month only:  Children’s Communion led by pastor
• 11:15:  program concludes:  parents pick up their Children, Youth are dismissed

Weekly/Ongoing

• In addition to Sunday morning hours on campus (9 to noon), hybrid work schedule to be determined in negotiation with Faith Development Committee (FDC).
• Ensure compliance with Foothills’ Safe Church Policy
• Work with church communications staff to publicize the Children’s & Youth program 
• In collaboration with Foothills’ Outreach Committee liaison, and in consultation with FDC, work with community service agencies to develop single-day or longer-term projects for our Sunday morning program. 
• Maintain Children’s & Youth Program GoogleSheet showing plans for each Sunday, planning as far ahead as possible.  Document is shared with FDC, Outreach Committee, and other church staff.  
• Buy and prepare project materials and create instructions for weekly activities, adhering to budget provided by FDC, submitting receipts for reimbursement
• Special events:  Work with FDC to plan and deliver events which may include
  • Halloween Party or Foothills Treats the Neighborhood
  • Christmas Pageant or other activity
  • Easter Sunday Services:  Arrange for Easter crafts for one or both services
  • Other events as appropriate
• Meetings & check-ins
  • Check in with FDC contact each week
  • Check in with Outreach Committee Chairs monthly to inquire about projects
  • FDC meetings as requested (usually 2nd Sunday at noon, via Zoom)
  • Meet with supervisor as requested

To apply

Please prepare an email describing how your skills and experience make you a good match for this position. Attach your resume and send it to [email protected] with the subject CYPD Application.  We look forward to hearing from you!

A background check is required for the final candidate for this position.