The Director of Parish Life & Engagement cultivates pathways of belonging, participation, and engagement throughout the parish community. This position provides leadership for newcomer integration, hospitality, volunteer engagement, parish life programming, and support for outreach ministries. Working closely with clergy, staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers, the Director helps create a welcoming parish culture where people are invited into deeper connection with God, one another, and the mission of the Church.

Primary Responsibilities

Hospitality & Volunteer Engagement

• Oversee Sunday hospitality ministries, including greeters, ushers, welcome teams, and fellowship hospitality.
• Recruit, train, support, and recognize volunteers and volunteer leaders.
• Maintain volunteer onboarding and compliance processes, including Safe Church requirements.
• Coordinate volunteer support for parish events, educational programs, and seasonal celebrations. Examples include Annual Meeting Luncheon, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Circle Supper Kickoff, Legacy Induction Event, etc.

Newcomer Engagement & Membership

• Welcome and connect with guests, newcomers, and members.
• Develop and oversee systems that move individuals from first visit to active participation in worship, formation, service, and parish life.
• Coordinate newcomer gatherings, membership classes, and welcome events, including the annual Welcome Back Sunday Ministry Fair.
• Foster a culture of invitation, hospitality, and belonging throughout the congregation.

Parish Life & Community Building

• Strengthen relationships among parishioners, newcomers, clergy, staff, and ministry leaders through intentional community-building opportunities.
• Plan and support parish-wide fellowship events, gatherings, and celebrations.
• Collaborate with clergy and staff to assess and strengthen parish engagement.
• Support implementation of parish strategic goals related to belonging, spiritual formation, and community life.
• Strategize with staff team on utilization of the newly renovated Parish Hall for community development, programming, and welcoming events.

Outreach Ministry Support

• Provide administrative and communication support for outreach ministries.
• Coordinate volunteer recruitment, scheduling, and promotion of outreach opportunities.
• Facilitate collaboration between ministry leaders, clergy, staff, and volunteers.
• Help integrate outreach ministries into the broader life and mission of the parish.

Administration & Communications

• Maintain parish membership and engagement records in collaboration with administrative staff.
• Coordinate event logistics, ministry calendars, and volunteer communications.
• Partner with staff to promote parish life events and ministry opportunities through parish communication channels.
• Participate in staff meetings and other leadership gatherings as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Three or more years of experience in church ministry, nonprofit leadership, volunteer coordination, community engagement, hospitality, or a related field.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, equip, and lead volunteers.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while fostering meaningful relationships.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and church management/database systems; experience with Realm or similar platforms preferred.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and inclusive welcome of The Episcopal Church.
• Experience in a church or faith-based setting preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and working at a computer.
• Ability to move throughout church facilities and event spaces.
• Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Availability to work Sundays and occasional evenings and weekends for parish events and activities.

Other Duties

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The Church reserves the right to revise, modify, or assign additional duties and responsibilities as operational needs evolve. Employees may be asked to perform other related duties in support of the mission and ministry of the parish.

Requirements

● Salaried (exempt, full-time), Sunday-Thursday with occasional Saturdays; working hours to be determined in collaboration with the Co-Rectors

● Salary Range: $69,000-$73,000, commensurate with experience, plus benefits

● Must be familiar with and comfortable around Christian worship and practice; a strong preference for prior experience with Episcopal or other Mainline churches with the revised common lectionary.

● Hiring will be subject to passing diocesan background checks and completing the required Safe Church Safe Communities Training

● Qualified parishioners are encouraged to apply.

Note: All compensation and benefits are offered according to relevant IRS, Episcopal Church, Diocese of San Diego, and parish policies and procedures

Interested? Please email a cover letter, a list of two references, and a resume to Dr. Dusty Porter at hr@stpauldesert.church. Cover letters may be addressed to the Rev. Jessie Thompson and the Rev. Dan Kline, Co-Rectors. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

The Church is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its hiring practices on the basis of age, race, religion, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other status prohibited by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $69,000.00 - $73,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person