Children’s Ministry Elementary Director
PENINSULA BIBLE CHURCH | PALO ALTO, CA
Purpose and Scope of Position
PBC views Children’s Ministry (CM) as a partnership between the church and the home, utilizing the efforts of both parents and the church body to bring the love of Jesus Christ to the children of our community and to foster a relationship with Jesus that will last a lifetime.
Through words and actions, the Elementary Director would help create a welcoming, child-friendly, and safe environment, encourage and support parents, and train volunteers/staff leaders to build relationships with children and to communicate Biblical truth at a child’s level.
PBC is seeking an Elementary Director to supervise the elementary ministry (1st-5th grade), including the caregiving staff, children, parents, and the facility.
Job Responsibilities
Shepherd and Train
- Oversee caregiving staff and volunteer leaders for Sundays & Awana.
- Hire, train, and supervise staff and paid volunteers for elementary programming.
- Recruit, train, schedule, encourage, and support staff and volunteers to teach, assist, check-in/greet, etc. in their respective roles.
- Shepherd and provide support to leaders, including encouragement to build relationships, continue their spiritual walk, and effectiveness in spiritual service within the ministry.
- Onboard new leaders and ensure existing leaders are informed on all policies and procedures, curriculum, and classroom schedules.
- Match new and existing leaders together for coaching, training, and appreciation, including periodic leader checkins, weekly communication via email or text as needed to offer support.
- Participate in all CM leader trainings, appreciation events and other events.
Children and their Parents
- Welcome and follow-up with new families who visit the church.
- Build relationships with children by being present in the classrooms (e.g., teaching, checking in, connecting at church events such as Fall Retreat, Trunk or Treat, etc.).
- Foster partnerships between parents and volunteers/staff leaders.
- Encourage communication with CM staff as it pertains to the welfare/absenteeism of the children, including health etc.
- Be available to pray as needed, and/or to help them connect to a pastor if additional support is needed.
- Handle disciplinary issues as they arise and apply the steps and policies in the CM Handbook, including escalation and communication with the CM Pastor-in-Training when appropriate.
Administration
- Enforce policies and procedures to ensure a safe and secure environment.
- Train on the check-in software (Planning Center) to register new families, add to the roster, and support CM staff for effective check-in and registration of new children and families.
- Recruit parents and leaders to assist with the organization, decor, cleanliness, decluttering, and thematic seasonal events (VBS, Christmas, etc.) on an ongoing basis.
Sunday School Curriculum
- Work with the CM Pastor or Pastor-in-Training to select, edit, and finalize curriculum.
- Oversee weekly distribution to the classroom leaders in advance.
- Provide training on implementation of curriculum.
- Organize and monitor support materials in the classrooms on an on-going basis.
- Ensure the program is fun, engaging, age-appropriate, and that children look forward to attending church on Sundays.
Event Coordination
- Provide leadership for PBC events (including Trunk or Treat, Christmas, Easter, Awana, Missions Market, and elementary-specific events).
- Provide co-leadership for teacher training, appreciation, Summerville, and church events that require childcare.
- Assist with the set-up, troubleshooting, supervision, and cleanup for events and coordinate with the CM Pastor and CM leadership team.
Participation in the CM Leadership Team
- Attend weekly team meetings with other ministry directors.
- Regularly meet with the Children’s Pastor/Pastor-in-Training.
- Pray for the ministry.
Additional Responsibilities
- Provide logistical planning and details.
- Assist with estimating the CM budgetary needs.
- Coordinate with PBC office and administrative staff for publicity and publications.
- Any other duties as needed in service to the ministry and/or PBC.
Job Requirements & Qualifications
Our CM Director should be a born-again believer, actively involved at PBC, with a calling from the Lord to serve in the Children's Ministry. A director should be committed to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord through the knowledge and study of His Word, fellowship with believers, accountable discipleship with a pastor and other ministry leaders, a lifestyle of biblical purity and integrity, and an ongoing ministry of prayer to root the ministry and participants in the plan and purposes of God.
Requirements include:
- Must be available on Sunday mornings and for special events.
- At least 2-3 years of classroom experience in a church (Sunday School).
- Education background: an AA or BA degree preferred
- Demonstrated knowledge of and responsibility for the creation of a safe and productive learning environment.
- Good communication skills to interact with church leadership, parents, caregiving staff, and children.
- Good judgment, flexibility, and faith to determine how to meet the needs of the various people he/she is responsible for shepherding.
- Able to be a self-starter, comfortable with taking on a task or project with minimal supervision and discernment to ask for guidance when necessary.
- Demonstrated organizational skills.
- Ability to function with a team in a professional and in a respectful manner.
- Ability to work collaboratively with the leadership and direction of CM and the Children’s Pastor/Pastor-in-Training.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Creativity and advance planning skills sufficient to plan and lead arts and crafts projects.
- Proficient computer knowledge and the ability to learn software platforms used by PBC (including Planning Center, Microsoft Office, Cloud apps such as Google Office Suite, Dropbox, and Social Media/Facebook.
- Ability to relate to children on their age-level, including walking, standing, stooping, running, sitting (on the floor, desk, or chair), climbing, crawling, kneeling, pulling, lifting, carrying, and crouching. Able to lift infants/toddlers occasionally and up to 40 pounds during an emergency.
- First Aid and CPR certification required (training can be provided).
- Ability to pass a background check.
Rate of Pay and Hours
Hours: 40 hours per week (Sunday through Thursday with the occasional adjustment, as needed) or a more flexible arrangement conditioned on the mutual agreement of PBC and the candidate.
Pay: $55,000 to $72,000 (commensurate with experience)
To Apply
Submit a cover letter, resume, and a statement addressing the following questions:
- Describe your faith journey and your relationship with God today.
- What excites you most about ministering to children?
- What are your spiritual gifts?
- Is there anything in this job description for which you request clarification or would want additional training?
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $55,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
