Director, Respect Life

at  Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Denver

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) from an accredited four-year college or university; and two to four years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

MINISTERIAL REQUIREMENTS

Be a fully initiated Catholic in the communion of the Catholic Church and/or intentionally living out the five precepts of the Church (CCC 2041-2043). Refrain from public promotion or approval of, or the living out of, any conduct or lifestyle that would reflect discredit or disgrace on, or cause scandal in relationship to, the Archdiocese of Denver, or considered to be in contradiction with Catholic doctrine or morals.

OUR PURPOSE

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver has been serving Northern Colorado since 1927. We serve tens of thousands of people each year in seven ministries: Marisol Services, Early Childhood Education, Shelter Services, Catholic Charities Housing, St. Raphael Counseling, Family, Kinship, and Senior Services; and Parish & Community Engagement.
Our employees are crucial to our success in achieving our mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and those in need. Catholic Charities provides a work environment where self-motivated and mission driven individuals are recognized and rewarded.
Catholic Charities is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to welcoming applicants and program participants of all faiths; as well as an inclusive and welcoming environment for staff, volunteers, and program participants. Candidates who bring diversity to our team are encouraged to apply.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Guided by Respect Life Denver’s mission to support life from conception to natural death and with a deep strategic vision, the Director of Respect Life Denver has four primary focus areas: (1) pro-life awareness and education across the Archdiocese of Denver; (2) effective collaboration with Catholic parishes, the AOD, affinity groups, ecumenical groups, and organizations to support a culture of life, (3) work closely Catholic Charities ministries to connect the dots for staff, donors, the greater Catholic community and the public between Respect Life’s values and Catholic Charities ministries and (4) develop new ways to change the hearts and minds of Coloradans about the abortion issue one person at a time.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, communicate, and implement a strategic vision for the Respect Life Office that aligns with the teachings of the Catholic Church, the ministries of Catholic Charities, and the legislative work of the Colorado Catholic Conference.
• As an expert on pro-life issues, educate a wide variety of audiences on pro-life issues, especially those associated with preborn children and end-of-life concerns. Potential audiences include but are not limited to middle and high school students; parishes; community groups; Catholic Charities partners; ecumenical groups; legislators; donors and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate, organize and team to develop and maintain professional relationships with parishes and community-based organizations to extend the reach of community support around life issues. Collaborate with other public and private agencies to increase awareness and support for pro-life issues and have the ability to promote and market the services of Respect Life Denver.
• Responsible for creating, communicating and aligning Respect Life chapters in parishes across the Archdiocese of Denver and serving as the primary resource and glue for clergy and laity who are called to pro-life ministry and advocacy. Serves as a liaison with churches, schools, community groups and organizations to educate and advise on both the ethics and science of life issues and will champion tools such as Footprints across the AOD.
• Develop strategy for the Respect Life Denver office in coordination and collaboration with the VP/Marketing & Community Engagement and overall mission and vision of Catholic Charities.
• Educate individuals and groups about the importance of life issues from conception to natural death.
• Collaborate internally and externally with a variety of pro-life groups to promote life in Colorado.
• Work effectively and synergistically to promote and communicate the links between the Respect Life Denver office, Marisol Services (and partners), and the Colorado Catholic Conference.
• Work collaboratively with Catholic Charities leadership to administer the Agency’s goals and policies, and act in a manner consistent with Catholic Charities mission and values and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Use program metrics to monitor and evaluate services and outcomes. Recommend, develop and implement improvements as appropriate.
• Develop and administer area budget within established guidelines and assist with mission advancement and grants in collaboration with other key departments.
• Support, promote and adhere to Catholic Charities vision, mission, values and Code of Ethics and models Catholic Charities commitment to treating all persons with respect and dignity.
• Encourage creativity and innovation in program development and service delivery and maintain confidentiality of client and agency information
• The ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing on a variety of life-related issues, based on Catholic Social Teaching, ranging from embryology to end-of-life decision-making, is critical.
• Demonstrated experience in program management and budget management for human services programs.
• Ability to understand and convey to others the values and social teachings of the Catholic Church as they relate to the mission and work of Catholic Charities, practicing Catholic preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to effectively lead and motivate staff through the application of Agency values.
• Intermediate knowledge of computers to input information, maintain client and program data, create and generate reports, and create communications.
• Knowledge of the service populations cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and the appropriate techniques and practices for the client population.
• Ability to interact effectively as a team member and independently with Agency staff and with a diverse client base.

Benefits: In addition to being part of a higher purpose while working in a challenging yet rewarding environment, eligible Catholic Charities employees receive a generous benefits package, including:

• Extensive Paid Time Off (4 weeks accrual for new employees - increasing based on tenure) promoting work-life balance.
• 15 Paid Holidays annually (shelters are 24/7, positions at shelters pay holiday pay when the holiday is worked).
• 403b Retirement Plan with Agency contribution of 4% & match up to 2% of annual compensation.
• Choice of 3 PPO Medical Plans (90% of employee’s and 75% of dependents premiums is paid by Agency), Dental, & Vision starting the 1st day of the month following the start date.
• May be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through Federal Student Loans and many more benefits