Full-Time Religion Teacher & Parish Youth Minister
St. Stephen School & St. Joseph Parish, Oil City, PA
Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of ErieAbout the School & Parish
St. Stephen School is a small PreK–8 Catholic school within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie serving families from a variety of faith backgrounds throughout the Oil City area. Rooted in Catholic values and committed to academic excellence, St. Stephen School seeks to form students intellectually, spiritually, and morally within a caring and faith-filled community.
St. Joseph Parish, also part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie, is a vibrant and healthy parish community with a desire to intentionally grow and strengthen its ministry to children, youth, and families. The parish is eager to continue building opportunities for discipleship, faith formation, and community engagement for young people.
Together, the school and parish seek to foster a stronger and more intentional connection between parish life and Catholic education. This position was created to help bridge those communities through joyful witness, authentic relationships, and active ministry.
The candidate will work directly with the school principal and parish pastor in supporting the mission and vision of both communities.
Located along the Allegheny River, Oil City offers the charm of a small-town community with access to beautiful outdoor recreation, including hiking, kayaking, fishing, biking, and nearby state parks. This position may especially appeal to someone who values community life, ministry, and the outdoors.
Position Overview
St. Stephen School and St. Joseph Parish are seeking a faithful, energetic, and ministry-minded individual or married couple to serve in a unique full-time role combining Catholic school teaching and parish youth ministry in Oil City, Pennsylvania.
This position is centered on forming young people in the Catholic faith through classroom instruction, authentic witness, discipleship, and community involvement. The ideal candidate(s) will have a deep love for Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church, a heart for youth and families, and a desire to help students grow in faith, virtue, and relationship with God.
This role includes:
- Teaching religion to students in grades K–8 at St. Stephen School
- Coordinating youth ministry opportunities for St. Joseph Parish
- Supporting the Catholic mission and spiritual life of both the school and parish communities
- Helping strengthen the relationship and shared mission between the parish and school
Housing, salary, and benefits are provided as part of the compensation package.
Primary ResponsibilitiesSchool Responsibilities
- Teach religion classes for students in grades K–8
- Develop engaging, age-appropriate lessons rooted in Catholic teaching and tradition
- Foster a joyful, prayerful, and faith-filled classroom environment
- Lead students in prayer, liturgical participation, and sacramental preparation support
- Collaborate with faculty and administration to support the mission of Catholic education
- Build positive relationships with students, parents, and staff
- Participate in school events, retreats, service projects, and faith activities
Parish Youth Ministry Responsibilities
- Coordinate youth ministry opportunities for parish children and teens
- Organize faith formation, service projects, retreats, social events, and discipleship activities
- Encourage youth participation in Mass and parish life
- Build relationships with families and support youth in their faith journey
- Recruit and collaborate with volunteers and parish leaders
- Assist in creating a welcoming and vibrant culture for young people within the parish
Qualifications
Applicants should:
- Be practicing Catholics in full communion with the Catholic Church
- Demonstrate a strong and active faith life
- Have a heart for ministry, evangelization, and working with youth
- Be enthusiastic, relational, and mission-driven
- Possess strong communication and organizational skills
- Be able to work collaboratively within a parish and school setting
- Have teaching experience, catechetical certification, ministry experience, or related education (preferred but not required)
- Be willing and able to complete all required clearances, safe environment training, and employment documentation required by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie
For married couples:
- Responsibilities may be shared according to gifts, experience, and parish needs
- There is potential for expanded responsibilities and increased compensation if the couple is willing to serve in additional ministry or educational roles
- Additional responsibilities could include teaching academic subjects at the school or coordinating youth and adult faith formation opportunities within the parish
Compensation & Benefits
St. Stephen School and St. Joseph Parish offer:
- Competitive salary
- Health insurance benefits
- Housing/accommodations
- Opportunity for increased compensation based on expanded responsibilities
- Supportive faith-centered community
- Opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of young people and families
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate(s) will:
- View ministry as a vocation, not simply a job
- Joyfully witness the Catholic faith through daily life
- Desire to accompany young people in their relationship with Christ
- Be committed to the mission of Catholic education and parish renewal
- Be passionate about helping strengthen the relationship between parish and school communities
To Apply
Please submit:
- Resume
- Cover letter describing your faith journey and interest in the position
- References
- Any relevant ministry, teaching, or catechetical experience
Applications may be sent to:
Katherine Chandley
[email protected]
814-677-3035
St. Stephen School
St. Joseph Parish
Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
