Religious Education - High School

Director of High School Youth Ministry

Full-Time  •  Amazing Team & Parish • Competitive Salary Based on Experience 

ARE YOU CALLED TO THIS?

Some positions fill a role. This one fills a calling.

Emmaus Catholic Parish in Lakeway, Texas is looking for a mission multiplier, someone who doesn’t just run a youth program, but builds a movement. A leader who sees high school students not as a demographic to manage, but as young disciples to walk alongside, challenge, and send… and empowers a community to love them. 

If you are a great communicator with high integrity, a heart for mission, and the drive to empower others, this may be exactly where God is calling you next.

WHY EMMAUS?

Emmaus Catholic Parish is one of the most vibrant and dynamic faith communities in the Diocese of Austin. Nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country on the shores of Lake Travis, Emmaus is a parish with a legacy of excellence, a staff and community that don’t settle for ordinary, because they believe in a God who is anything but. The community is well educated and highly driven and steward God’s love dynamically because of this. 

Our mission says it all: “Confident of the loving mercy of God, we dedicate ourselves to the Eucharist through prayer, faith formation and service, bearing witness to the Resurrection of the Lord.”

At the center of everything Emmaus does is the Eucharist. 

The youth ministry you’re stepping into already has momentum. Nearly 100 active high school students. Long-tenured, dedicated volunteers who are invested in these young people. A collaborative parish staff that wants to see youth ministry thrive. A supportive pastor with staff structure to build momentum as one mission. You won’t be building from scratch — you’ll be inheriting a strong foundation and given the trust, the tools, and invested parents to take it further.

THE ROLE

You’ll lead the High School Youth Ministry (known at Emmaus as “Outcry”) owning the vision, building the team, and forming young disciples in the fullness of the Catholic faith. Here’s a snapshot of what that looks like:

Leading with Vision

• Cast and communicate a compelling vision for what high school ministry can be at Emmaus
• Evaluate and execute weekly faith formation rooted in the teachings of the Church and diocesan objectives
• Oversee Confirmation preparation with pastoral excellence and administrative care
• Guide OCIA formation for high school students and walk with them through the Rites

Building a Team

• Recruit, train, and empower catechists and volunteers…multiplying the mission through others
• Encourage youth to step into leadership, creating the next generation of servant-leaders
• Provide leadership development for both adult and youth team members

Creating Encounter

• Plan and execute retreats, service events, social gatherings, and spiritual opportunities that go beyond Sunday night
• Empower & Model Accompanyment: Show up for students at school events, in hallways, and in the ordinary moments that matter most
• Foster deep parent engagement by drawing families in as co-formers of their children’s faith, not just drop-off drivers

Collaborating Well

• Partner with Middle School, Children’s Faith Formation, and adult formation teams for a seamless discipleship journey
• Work with parish staff on communications, facilities, and event logistics
• Serve as Emmaus’ liaison with the Diocese of Austin Office of Youth Ministry
• Manage departmental budgets with good stewardship

WHO YOU ARE

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• A living, active Catholic faith - you practice what you preach, and you preach it with your life
• A great communicator - you can hold a room of high schoolers and a room of parents with equal confidence and warmth and articulate a compelling vision to the parish
• High integrity - students, parents, and colleagues trust you, and you’ve earned it
• Mission-minded - you see the big picture and you push toward it every day
• An empowerer - you build others up rather than doing it all yourself; you multiply, not just add
• Self-motivated - you don’t wait to be told what to do next; you’re already three steps ahead
• A team player - you collaborate generously and check your ego at the door

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Experience: 2+ years in youth ministry or a related field; 2+ years leading or teaching in a high school setting
• Certification: Certification in Youth Ministry (or actively pursuing) or equivalent
• Faith: Practicing Catholic
• License: Valid Driver’s License
• Compliance: Clearance under Diocese of Austin Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) requirements
• Language: English required; Spanish proficiency a meaningful plus

WHERE YOU’LL LIVE AND WORK

Lakeway, Texas sits on the shores of Lake Travis, 25 miles from downtown Austin. It consistently ranks among the most desirable communities in Central Texas — great schools, beautiful Hill Country scenery, a tight-knit community, and access to everything the Austin metro offers.

Compensation is competitive and will reflect your qualifications and experience. Emmaus invests in the people who serve their mission.

Parish address: 1718 Lohmans Crossing Road, Lakeway, TX 78734

THIS IS A MISSION. APPLY LIKE IT.

If something is stirring in you as you read this — don’t wait. The students of Emmaus need a leader. The volunteers need someone to follow. The families need someone they can trust. And this parish community — one shaped by the Road to Emmaus, gathered around the Eucharist, bearing witness to the Resurrection of the Lord — is ready to walk this road with you.

Apply now:

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/4152670

Questions? Contact the Emmaus Parish Office at emmausparish.org

Emmaus Catholic Parish  |  1718 Lohmans Crossing Road  |  Lakeway, TX 78734  |  emmausparish.org

Essential Job Duties: 

1.  Responsibilities

• As an integral part of your ministry for the Church as carried out in this position, support and uphold the philosophy of Catholic ministry and the mission of Emmaus Parish in both your professional and personal life.
• Act as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Continuously grow in you ministry by participating in religious  ceremonies, training sessions, and reflection activities as directed.
• Evaluate curriculum for high school age students in order to plan and execute weekly religious education classes in alignment with diocesan program objectives.
• Recruit and train catechists for religious education classes as well as any additional volunteers.
• Encourage youth to step into leadership positions.
• Provide appropriate leadership training for adults and youth. 
• Plan and execute retreats, social outings, service events, and spiritual opportunities for students and parents.
• Interact with and support youth members at various events (high school football games, etc.),
• Schedule, oversee, and communicate Confirmation preparation. 
• Serve as a liaison with the diocesan office of youth ministry and their programs, services, and resources.
• Provide resources (print, video, diocesan events) for effective programming in accordance with established budget, purchase required materials. 
• Communicate with staff and parents 
• Foster parent participation and involvement in the ongoing faith formation of their children.
• Plan and implement OCIA formation sessions that support the vision and dictates from the Order of Christian Initiation adapted for children, approved for use in the dioceses of the United States.
• Participate in the Rites that take place as part of the process including the Rite of Acceptance, the Rite of Sending to Election, the Rite of Election and the Easter Vigil service. Create ways that those going through the OCIA process feel encouraged and supported by the whole parish.
• Establishes and manages financial budget(s) for assigned department(s).

2.  Collaborating with parish staff

• Work with parish staff in planning and implementation to ensure that programs and events support the overall goals for the parish
• Work with the Business Administrator to develop and monitor budgets for programs and events
• Work with Director of Communications and Development to publicize all events, meetings, and outings to the parish per established parish communication protocols
• Work with Facilities Coordinator to schedule all events, meetings, outings per established parish guidelines
• Provide input for new programs or policies
• Participate in all staff-supported parish events and staff meetings

3.  Assist with administrative tasks as needed. These may include:

• Answering of office phone calls and exhibiting a true interest in assisting the caller
• Assisting visitors in the office or on campus
• Attend all staff meetings/events as designated by the pastor

 I.  POSITION SPECIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

The Director of High School Youth Ministry must:

• Knowledge of the structure and basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church
• Be a practicing Catholic
• Understand age appropriate teaching methods and activities
• Have excellent organizational and planning skills
• Have strong interpersonal skills
• Be a team player
• Possess problem-solving and decision-making abilities and exhibit leadership capabilities
• Possess strong writing skills
• Exhibit a high level of confidentiality and trustworthiness
• Have the ability to work without close supervision
• Demonstrate knowledge and good judgment in matters of diocesan policy and procedures
• Have strong computer skills and be able to learn additional software programs as needed
• Be available and responsive to the needs of staff, parishioners, and community members
• Be available for some variable hours and on call response after regular business hours to meet the needs of the parish. 
• Other tasks as assigned by the pastor of Chief Operating Officer
• Submit to and pass a background check 
• Establishes and manages financial budget(s) for assigned department(s)

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Training:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited American university or equivalent in a foreign country

Experience:

• Two (2) years in youth ministry or related field
• Two or more years teaching or leading in a high school environment

Language:

• Proficient in conversing, reading, and writing in English
• Proficient in conversing, reading and writing in Spanish preferred but not required

Licenses/Certifications:

• Certification in Youth Ministry
• Valid Texas Driver's License
• Must maintain compliance with the Diocese of Austin Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) policies throughout the employment period.

Working Conditions:

• All employees of the Parish are engaged in ministry and closely tied to the Pastor in the exercise of his ministry and obligations to the Church.  
• Emmaus Parish is an at-will employer
• All buildings and vehicles owned by the Parish are tobacco free
• Working in a fast-paced environment with priorities and plans that may change rapidly
• Working on weekends, evenings, and some holidays may be required
• Will be exposed to religious ceremonies, conduct, and speech, including Roman Catholic Christian prayer and liturgical celebrations.
• Will be required to adhere to established dress codes and conduct standards.
• May be required to use personal or parish vehicle to drive to off-site locations
• Traveling within and outside the parish to meetings and other events may be required, and travel may require overnight lodging