Catholic Religious Education Coordinator

Catholic Religious Education Coordinator
Place of Performance: Iwakuni, Japan

General Description:

The Catholic Coordinator of Religious Education works in conjunction with the Chaplain and shall be responsible for coordinating Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (MCASI) CRP Roman Catholic educational activities for all ages. Shall deconflict, as much as possible, MCASI Roman Catholic educational activities with other on base activities. Provide to chapel staff requests for promotional materials, maintain records of materials, requests for order of necessary items, and keep attendance of all activities in this program.

Specific Tasks:

• Coordinate and administer Catholic Religious Education training in accordance with all policies and requirements listed in the AMS Catechist Manual, and Chapter 3, AMS Priests’ Manual as needed per volunteer teacher.
• Weekend Religious Education/ CCD – Organize and oversee weekly religious education, commonly on Sundays after Mass. Conduct or oversee approximately 30 meetings per year (schedule generally follows school year) for a period of one hour in the MCASI Chapel.
• Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) – Coordinate registration, scheduling, and support for the OCIA program. Conduct or oversee approximately 30 meetings per year (generally conducted simultaneously with Weekend Religious Education) for a period of one hour in the MCASI Chapel.
• Adult Faith Formation- Coordinate registration, scheduling, and support for the Adult Faith Formation program on a weekly basis when volunteers are available.
• Sacramental Preparations and Events – Coordinate promotion, training, events, paperwork, and records for special sacramental events to include Catechism, Baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation and Marriage Preparation on an as needed basis with the Chapel Office.
• Plan the travel and itinerary of Two (2) Pilgrimages per year (March and November preferred), coordinating transportation needs with Chapel Staff.
• Support Chapel staff in the facilitation of visits from the Archdiocese of the Military Services.
• Execute one (1) Family Retreat per calendar year in spring before 1st Communion/Confirmation for the Catholic community in coordination with the Chaplain’s Office.
• Conduct Stations of the Cross for Easter Season from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday, in accordance with Roman Catholic tradition.
• Recruit, organize, and register adult volunteers as catechists (teachers) and arrange for training as needed to assist in the conduct of the education program.
• Maintain and update a volunteer roster to include name, phone number, military affiliation, utilization and role, training and hours volunteered to be accessible by the Command Chaplain or designated RMT member.
• Forecast resources and budget requirements for projected/planned activities, on a quarterly basis, to include the procurement of supplies, literature and curriculum needed for the program. Sall be responsible for the submission of necessary paperwork for scheduling and reserving of facilities in support of programs and the arrangement of audiovisual equipment as needed.
• The plans shall outline objectives, locations, dates, times, budget, number of volunteers utilized, and number of persons attending each event. These plans shall be completed and submitted to the Command Chaplain or designated chaplain at least 90 days prior to the scheduled events for calendar deconfliction.
• Coordinate religious education registration of students and families, and establish student rosters by grade, name, address, and phone number of each student, ensuring that all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is handled in accordance with applicable U.S. government law and regulations. Ensure that all necessary supplies needed for the programs entrusted to the CRE are ordered in a timely manner using the approved ordering system. Additionally, organize and maintain religious education books, resources, and materials in MCASI CRP provided space.
• Compile and submit all reports.
• Draft and submit and required advertising, promotional bulletins, announcements, articles, flyers, and materials in a timely manner for all Roman Catholic education activities and events for publication and distribution to the Chapel Office. No advertisement shall be conducted without the consent of the Chapel Office.
• Attend meetings.
• Maintain regular communication and contact with the AMS office of Faith Formation and any other such office of the AMS as required.
• Maintain a record of all proposed plans for special events. Each record shall also include the registrations / attendance records with student rosters by grade, name, address and phone number of each student, the permission slips, power of attorney, etc., as required, for example off-station events requiring transportation. Maintain sacramental records, as needed, relating to religious education events, and notifying the AMS, as required.
• Disseminate information regarding policies, registration, calendars, letters, bulletins, and other appropriate notices to the Roman Catholic community internally.
• Ensure all facilities utilized for events are properly cleaned and reset prior to departure.
• Ensure all facilities used are properly secured, to include all doors and windows, following the conclusion of events, oversees when chapel personnel are not present.
• Upon assignment by the Contracting Officer, you shall provide services in any chapel or approved facility located within the confines of MCASI or other facilities as directed.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• One-year relevant experience in religious education and program coordination field.
• Certification or training in Catholic religious education or catechesis from a recognized Catholic institution or diocese (e.g., AMS guidance).
• Certificates of completion for child protection training.
• Proficient in written and oral communication, effectively conveying information, ideas, and instructions.
• Able to read, write, and speak English to perform assigned tasks.
• Able to efficiently plan and organize.
• Able to effectively supervise and lead others in a respectful and professional manner.