Employment Type: Part Time (15-19 hours per week during regular office hours)
Compensation: Base $16.00 - $20.00 per hour Commensurate with experience
A Vision of this Ministry
The Communications Coordinator collaborates with the Pastor, under the supervision of the Director of Discipleship and Evangelization, and with other members of the parish staff and volunteers, integrating his or her own areas of responsibility with the overall parish mission. This position recognizes that the mission of the Church is to share the Good News and make new disciples and carries that mission into every aspect of their life and work.
The Communications Coordinator is particularly responsible for visioning, planning, and coordinating all communications for the Catholic parishes of Merrillville.
This position oversees and facilitates all the parish communications through printed and electronic media. This position affords the opportunity to be creative and think outside the box in inviting and encouraging people to engage in deepening their faith.
Responsibilities and Tasks of the Communications Coordinator
- Parish Bulletin: Is responsible for all aspects of design, editing, and publishing a combined weekly Sunday bulletin for both parishes, following the bulletin policies and procedures.
- Managing the Parish Facebook Pages & Parish App: This includes using these platforms to advertise parish events, posting Saints of the day, posting special Feast Day Mass times, acknowledging both Catholic and secular events through the lens of faith (example, prayer for Veterans Day, prayers on Feast Days of Mary, etc.) and posting other Catholic content to engage followers. Analyzing Facebook “insights” for our pages to ensure that we are using this platform effectively, and regularly inviting people who “like” posts to “like” the page. Promote social media platforms across other communication platforms.
- Advertising/Promoting Events and Programs: Is the primary resource for all groups and committees of the parishes regarding communicating their mission and activities both within the parish and to the larger community. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Helping ministries design professional and engaging flyers to use on social media, parish website, and to hang in the Church as necessary.
- Taking event information that is submitted for the bulletin and promoting it on the parish Facebook pages.
- Taking event information that is submitted for the bulletin and sending it out as a push notification through the parish app.
- Sharing larger parish events with the Diocese and nearby parishes.
- Looks ahead at the parish calendar, and takes initiative to promote parish-wide events such as parish Reconciliation services, special feast days, etc.
- Parish Website: Assists with the parish website including uploading blog posts, uploading the weekly bulletin, and assisting with updates on the website.
- Other tasks as assigned by Supervisor and/or the Pastor.
Competencies and Skills
In addition to the competencies and skills required by the Diocese of Gary of all pastoral ministers, there are several which the Communication Coordinator needs in particular:
- Is knowledgeable of and comfortable living and forming others in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, as expressed in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” and the “Code of Canon Law”.
- Is a strong writer, with exception use of the English language, its grammar, vocabulary, etc. and is an excellent proofreader of others’ written work.
- Photography and videography experience a plus; must be willing to learn and develop skills in these areas.
- Exhibits a love of Catholic education and supports whole-heartedly the mission of Catholic schools in the parish setting.
- Competent, if not expert, in both PC and Mac computer programs including, but not limited to: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook), Google Suites, and YouTube live-stream experience.
- Demonstrates experience in planning, organizing, and executing projects, events, and activities.
- Must have shown the ability to multitask, delegate tasks, and handle multiple projects simultaneously
Formation, Training, and Criteria for Readiness
Preparation for this ministry demands a vibrant faith in Jesus Christ and professional training in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, and/or Graphic Design. Minimally, a High School diploma or equivalent is required, even though a more professional qualification is preferred.
The effective functioning of this ministry requires that the person be a practicing Catholic, a person of prayer, who is sensitive to the cultural experience of the parishioners and understands/seeks to understand their spirituality and worship life. While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is required to stand, walk, stoop, talk, reach, feel, sit, climb, grasp, hear and perform repetitive motions of the hands/wrist. Lifts and moves items up to 30 pounds.