Associate I for PDA Volunteer Ministries

Overview

The national offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation (“A Corp”) “PC(USA)”, based in Louisville Kentucky, serve with mid-councils, congregations, worshipping communities, and partner organizations to carry forth the mission of Jesus Christ. Approximately 400 individuals, diverse in race, age, gender, sexual orientation, faith, skills, and more, come together as colleagues to work for a world where justice reigns, peace prevails, and God’s love extends to all people. This community comprises the staff of national entities: the Presbyterian Life & Witness, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, Presbyterian Women, Investment and Loan Program, and the Administrative Services Group.

Organizational Purpose:

The General Assembly’s Presbyterian Life & Witness (PL&W) is called as a partner to convene, connect, equip, and empower the whole church as disciples journeying toward God’s wholeness – in the PC(USA) and beyond. Justice, love, equity, and inclusion (representation and full participation) are core and foundational values already embedded in the theology, polity, and confessional life of the PC(USA). The four values below are how PL&W lives out those foundational commitments: Nimble, Trustworthy, Learning, Courageous.

Purpose of Position:

This position is an individual contributor who performs routine and some non-routine duties with a moderate to high degree of complexity. Responsibilities that coordinate and execute work activities of a designated small program or project ensure that the activities are in line with the organization's objectives and goals. May develop methods and procedures for implementing the program and educate/ communicate programmatic information. Convey information, including an explanation of the program, direction, problems, and potential solutions, to others. Reviews reports and records of activities to ensure progress is being accomplished toward the specified program objective. May exercise judgment and initiative in matters. Operates under direct to general supervision.

Lead PDA’s Hosting Ministry through managing relationships and resources with mid councils, congregations, ministry partners, and volunteers.

Roles and Responsibilities (list in order of priority):

1. Lead the hosting ministry of PDA.
   1. In partnership with the Associate for National Disaster Response, presbyteries, and impacted community partners, lead the assessment process to determine the establishment of PDA host sites as needed.
   2. Equip and provide support for PDA host sites throughout the hosting process, including offering information on PDA grants, volunteer orientation, commissioning services, work team referrals, individual meetings, registration assistance, visitation, publicity, assistance in maintaining work partner relationships, and providing support to host sites are decommissioned. 

1. Work with PDA host sites and the presbyteries, supporting them to develop educational immersive experiences that engage the local culture and context and raise awareness of systemic issues that necessitates volunteer engagement in disaster recovery.
2. Connect host sites/presbyteries to appropriate denominational resources to support the development of these experiences.

1. In partnership with presbyteries, host congregations, and host site coordinators, support and communicate with prospective work teams by providing preparatory information, evaluating work team feedback forms, and collecting stories/photos/videos from their volunteer service experiences.
2. Resource the National Response Team (NRT) Hosting Ministry Team
   1. Empower and develop leadership of co-chairs through regular meetings and meeting facilitation opportunities. Developing more volunteers to serve as hosting deployment team leads. Work collaboratively through conflict management, host site evaluations, and increasing ministry team skillset and capacity.
      1. Develop leaders to represent PDA volunteer ministries for NVOAD Volunteer Management committee and other collaborative opportunities.
      2. Assist co-chairs in providing care to team members.
   2. Equip NRT Hosting Ministry Team with updated information, continuing education, deployment debriefs, field experience opportunities, and regular engagement with host sites.

1. Provide ministry support for the PDA National Response Team administrative processes, disaster deployments, annual meeting, and other training/capacity building opportunities.
   1. Provide administrative assistance to the Hosting Ministry Team by updating resources and educating new volunteers about the NRT Quiet Page and other resources.
   2. Assist Hosting Ministry Team members with relevant NRT deployment and travel logistics, submission of expense reimbursement forms, and reviewing field reports.
   3. Work with the Associate for National Disaster Response, Presbyterian Life & Witness colleagues, Presbyterian networks, and mid councils to invite and recruit greater diversity on the National Response team.

1. Equip and collaborate with PDA volunteers of all types, including volunteer work teams, host site coordinators, donors of material supplies (i.e. Gift of the Heart Kits), and local volunteers helping with immediate disaster response efforts.
   1. Promote and interpret PDA’s volunteer opportunities to appropriate groups and partner organizations in coordination with the PDA Associate for Constituent Relations and PDA Associate for Resource Development and Outreach.
   2. Publicize volunteer work trip opportunities, current host sites, and volunteer materials. Update online host site information regularly.
   3. Maintain PDA Volunteers Instagram account through content creation, regular posts. Prioritize posts highlighting work trips and volunteer service.
   4. Recruit new volunteers by providing education on opportunities for volunteer service through PDA via social media, online meetings, conferences and other events.
   5. Develop and facilitate learning opportunities related to healthy volunteerism practices. Teach ethics, safety procedures, and set expectations in the volunteer onboarding/orientation process.
   6. Provide PDA staff and advisory committee with regular volunteer ministry updates and measure volunteer impact. Work with appropriate PL&W staff to ensure current information is listed on the PDA website, PC(USA) publications, work partner affiliate sites, etc.

1. In coordination with the Associate for National Disaster Response, represent PDA in disaster response efforts, communicating with mid councils and the deployment of volunteers. This includes meeting participation, leadership, and travel to support ministry partners.
   1. Represent PDA at National VOAD, Church World Service, regional network gatherings, and other partners at the request of the Associate for National Disaster Response.
      1. Represent PDA on NVOAD Volunteer Management Committee

1. Support domestic grants processes within PDA
   1. Serve on the Domestic Grants Committee in reviewing and approving grants for Emergency Response, Hosting, and National Recovery.
   2. Resource mid councils in preparing and submitting grant applications to ensure they are aligned with PCUSA/General Assembly priorities and current grant requirements.

Essential Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Theological training or equivalent life experience/competency in ministries of the PCUSA.
• A minimum of 2 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience in:
  • Disaster response field experience
  • Volunteer management and logistics
• Leadership and team building skills
• Proficiency using the Microsoft Suite (including Outlook, Word, Teams, PowerPoint, and Excel) and other appropriate software and technology.

Helpful Skills:

• Understanding and knowledge of PC(USA) and its organizational structure. 
• The ability to speak one or more languages other than English is very helpful.
• Excellent written, verbal, and technological communication skills.
• Networking skills to build relationships within the Presbyterian and disaster response communities
• Ecumenical experience and understanding

Physical Requirements/Essential Functions:

• This is largely a sedentary position that may require occasional lifting up to 25 pounds. Requires the ability to see, hear, speak, type, write, walk, stand, bend, and lift
• Sensory and physical requirements include the ability to communicate verbally in person and through technology and use the computer for extended periods of time. Ability to communicate via telephone, via Zoom, and other computer technologies required
• Able to read and understand written materials.
• Ability to communicate in a manner suitable to a church office environment
• Occasional overnight, out-of-town travel is expected 
• This is a full-time position working remotely from residence.

Additional Information/Benefits:

We believe a balanced life, with time for work, leisure, and spiritual nurture, makes us healthier and more productive colleagues.

PC(USA) offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees including 

• Defined Pension Plan
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending accounts 
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan 
• Vacation Days 
• Sick Days 
• Paid Holidays.

 PCUSA Commitment:

Our faith in God inspires our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and is grounded in scripture, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and actions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the U.S. government, including gender identity and sexual orientation.

Candidates from Presbyterian communities in the global south and other historic Presbyterian Communities of Color, preferably with theological training and fluency in languages other than English, are encouraged to apply.