Youth worker Information
Recruitment Information for Youth Worker post.
We encourage applicants to have an initial conversation with the minister Rev Chris Dowd on 0121 2185163 before applying.
Please download an application form here
Key Dates in the recruitment process
- Advert Live 9/9/
- Applications Close 30/9/2
- Screening interviews via zoom week beginning 7 Octo
- Final Interview weekend 19 and 20 October.
- Start as soon as possible.
The post
Aim of the post.
To create and develop an inclusive, compassionate, innovative and youth centred youth provision working out of Wylde Green United Reformed Church informed by the values of progressive Christianity.
Job Title: Youth Worker
Hours: A fulltime working pattern of 38 hours per week (excluding breaks). Statutory annual leave entitlement per year (including Public Holidays) is 28 days. Sunday will be a mandatory part of the working week. A working pattern will be agreed with the project steering committee.
Term of Appointment: 3 years initial term.
Salary: up to £28,000 subject to annual review.
Job description
• Working with our young people (primarily a 12–24-year-old target group) and in consultation with the Steering Committee, develop, organise and run, suitable new weekly youth activities.
• Plan and deliver an appropriate social programme informed by progressive Christian Values.
• Liaise where necessary with other church staff and volunteers to ensure that provision fits with the overall church programme and is publicised through the Church’s various publicity channels as required.
• Manage contact ratios, maintain registers, permissions and record keeping in line with Church policy, safeguarding and good practice
• Coordinate the team of volunteers to support delivery, recruiting more from within the church congregation or from other agreed sources as necessary .
• Devise a team rota and communicate this appropriately with team members to ensure they understand what is required of them and when.
• Communicate safely and appropriately with young people and their families through letters, emails and social media about the programme, and in order to support their individual needs
• Refer issues of concern to the Church Safeguarding Officer if an issue occurs.
• Give general pastoral support to the young people in contact with the church.
• Attend review meetings with line manager and other meetings as appropriate.
• Develop links and co-operation with other youth in the vicinity.
• Develop links with local schools and colleges as appropriate
• Seek funding for the development and long term sustainability of the project.
Person Specification
Qualifications
1. Hold a qualification in youth work (essential)
2. Have significant experience in working with young people (essential)
3. Have knowledge of and insight into the needs of young people (essential)
4. Have experience of working with adult volunteers (desirable)
5. Be able to delegate and empower volunteers (essential)
Skills
1. Have the ability to engage positively with young people (essential)
2. Have the ability to work as part of a team (essential)
3. Have the ability to work positively with volunteers (essential)
4. have the ability to plan a programme of activities and social spaces finding appropriate volunteers to staff the programme. (essential)
5. have ability to manage budgets (desirable)
6. Have good communication skills - verbal and non-verbal, written and presentational - with an appreciation of the effective use of appropriate communication tools and social media (essential).
Values and attributes
1. Have sympathy with the Christian faith, and a desire to grow spiritually and to help others to do the same
2. Be prepared to support the ethos of Wylde Green URC which is inclusive, progressive and democratic
3. Be responsible, self-disciplined, reliable, punctual and accountable
4. Have a sense of humour,
5. Able to maintain appropriate boundaries with young people and their families.
Appendix 1: Progressive Christianity
By calling ourselves progressive Christians, we mean we are Christians who…
· Believe that following the way and teachings of Jesus can lead to experiencing sacredness, wholeness, and unity of all life, even as we recognize that the Spirit moves in beneficial ways in many faith traditions.
· Seek community that is inclusive of all people, honouring differences in theological perspective, age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, class, or ability.
· Strive for peace and justice among all people, knowing that behaving with compassion and selfless love towards one another is the fullest expression of what we believe.
· Embrace the insights of contemporary science and strive to protect the Earth and ensure its integrity and sustainability.
· Commit to a path of life-long learning, believing there is more value in questioning than in absolutes.
