Youth Advisor Opening

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading (UUCR) is a liberal religious community. As a regional church serving communities north of Boston, it welcomes people of all ages, religious backgrounds, cultural origins, differing abilities, and sexual orientations.

Note: Out of respect for professional boundaries, it is the policy of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading, MA to accept and consider resumes for professional staff positions only from individuals outside the church community of persons recognized as members or friends in church records.

General Duties

The primary responsibility of the Youth Advisor is to provide a consistent adult presence at meetings, conferences and other events of the UUCR’s Senior High Youth Program (SHYP), a youth-led program for grades 9-12. 

Supervision

The Youth Advisor reports to and is supervised by the Director of Religious Education.

Core Competencies/Qualifications Required:

• An adult who is at least 25 years old
• Must identify themselves with the UU community and uphold the principals, standards, and values of the UU faith
• Must sign and uphold the Code of Ethics for Adult Advisors provided by the UUA as well as the SHYP covenant.
• Must maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for youth while respecting issues of confidentiality
• Have knowledge and experience in group dynamics and the skills necessary to build trust and community
• Must have a high “cool” quotient  and the ability to relate to youth while recognizing appropriate boundaries

Hours

This is a part-time position totaling 30 hours per month.  These hours are divided among the various responsibilities of the position described below such as planning for and attendance at weekly SHYP meeting, planning and attendance at conferences and special events and periodic attendance at Youth Adult Committee and Religious Education committee meetings.   

Compensation and Benefits

This position pays $4,630.00 for the 2007-2008 church year.  It does not provide any other benefits.

Examples of Typical Duties

• Attend all Mass Bay District and multidistrict conferences where UUCR youth need an advisor
• Attend a minimum of 25 out of 30 Sunday evening meetings, responsible for opening & closing the building (absences from meetings or events must not be consecutive)
• Prior to any absences the Youth Advisor must make arrangements for sufficient and appropriate adult coverage
• Attend all special events and activities including 2 overnights with SHYP, Youth Sunday, the Bridging Ceremony and the other events chosen by SHYP for that particular year (i.e.; the Homeless Experience)
• Attend Youth Adult Committee (YAC) meetings
• Participate in meeting planning and curriculum development with the youth leadership  and volunteer advisors outside of the regular meetings
• Coordinate meeting or activity space with church contact person
• Work with and remain in close contact with the minister, DRE, RE Committee, YEAT (Youth Empowerment Adult team) and YAC
• Be responsible for communication with the congregation through the newsletter, in collaboration with the SHYP leaders
• Coordinate all mailings or communication with SHYP youth and their parents, in collaboration with the SHYP leaders
• Responsibly manage the SHYP budget in collaboration with YAC
• Produce the annual report for the congregation in collaboration with the SHYP youth leaders
• Coordinate the other adult advisors or other adult support for meetings, transportation and appropriate adult coverage
• Hold advisor meetings as necessary
• Provide guidance and support for the natural progression of the youth group

Physical Demands

The physical demands described in the typical duties are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. They include walking, sitting, standing, lifting and typing during the regular course of duties.  The position also requires the visual ability to read both written materials and the auditory ability to communicate clearly in person. Special demands of this position include the ability to serve as an adult chaperone for overnight conferences resulting in, perhaps, less than optimum sleep in a less than optimally comfortable bed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

Send cover letter and resume to our search mailbox or send via postal service to:

UUCR-YA
239 Woburn St.
Reading, MA 01867

No calls please.