Spiritual Development Specialist Altgeld Site (Part Time with Benefits)

By The Hand Club For Kids is a Christian, after-school program that emphasizes academic excellence while nurturing the whole child – mind, body and soul. Located in Chicago’s most under-resourced neighborhoods, By The Hand helps children have abundant life. The culture of By The Hand is Christ-centered, people-focused and results- oriented. While loving and nurturing, By The Hand has a strong results-orientation, a very structured program and a growth mindset that believes with hard work we can all continue to learn and grow.

Joining By The Hand’s incredible mission as an abundant life builder means jumping right into the work of healing and hope on behalf of our extraordinary children. You’ll have the opportunity of a lifetime to impact the trajectory of generations of stories; helping students soar to success in their academic performance, practice personal accountability and, even more importantly, grow in their understanding of God and their relationship with Jesus. 

By The Hand is a not for profit, religious organization. Individuals employed by By The Hand are working in ministerial roles and perform all or some of the following responsibilities: sharing the Gospel, teaching chapel, leading Bible studies, discipling students and modeling behavior that is consistent with Christ’s teaching.

Rate of pay: $20 per hour

Overview of Position

Reporting to the Vice President of Spiritual Development, this position is responsible for creating an environment that facilitates spiritual growth and renewal in all aspects of By The Hand’s work with students. The Spiritual Development Specialist works with staff in order to encourage a growing and vibrant Christian life that enables them to effectively disciple others. In addition, they oversee the implementation of the spiritual development curriculum by K-8 Grade Team Leaders. The primary role of the SDS is to directly help kids develop spiritually by creating and facilitating discipleship groups with K-8th grade students. This will require the Spiritual Development Specialist to work directly with students for a large part of their work day during programming hours. This includes but is not limited to creating small group gatherings, and spiritual development plans; as well as occasionally assisting with student behavior management in partnership with Site Directors and Team Leaders.

Spiritual Requirements

• Has a personal and saving relationship with Jesus Christ, evidenced by a lifestyle that demonstrates the Word of God, and is in regular fellowship with other members in a Bible-believing church.

• Agrees with the By The Hand Club Doctrinal Statement and adheres to the Employee Biblical Standards of Living.

• Shows by example the importance of Scripture memorization, Bible study, prayer, witnessing, and Christian fellowship.

• Participates in weekly team prayer and devotion.

• Has completed an evangelism course and is trained and prepared to share the gospel with anyone who inquires. 

• Works with leadership to monitor and enforce policies and procedures to further the By The Hand's religious purpose and religious freedom. 

Role Responsibilities

• Performs in a way that is consistent with the vision, mission, and culture of By The Hand and commits to excellence in every aspect of the overall operation. 

• Models cultural values of By The Hand Club For Kids in day-to-day behavior.

• Follows all policies as outlined in the operational guide, including maintaining brand standards and ensuring 100% adherence to the Child Protection Policy. 

• Participates in employee growth plans including quarterly conversations and annual review meetings. 

• Assists in the design, creation or selection of curriculum for K-8 bible studies and the process for facilitating the training of team leaders to implement bible study lessons.

• Develops themes, identifies scriptures, and plans chapel programs for students.

• Keeps track of student metrics and spiritual forms in google suite.

• Creates and develops spiritually enriching activities, events, and experiences that help students grow in their relationship with Christ.

• Available to coach staff with respect to leading worship in chapels, bible studies, and other services.

• Leads staff devotions. 

• Provides leadership and resources that enable staff to help students connect faith with real life situations.

• Trains staff in techniques for spiritual mentoring and discipleship of students.

• Conducts small groups and 1-on-1 meetings with students. 

• Attends weekly Spiritual Development Department team meetings as well as weekly site meetings.

• Executes observations of Team Leaders during Bible study time for the purposes of providing feedback and coaching. 

• Assists in planning and prep for Prayer Summits, All-Staff Meetings and other events as necessary.

• Initiates community outreach and helps students connect with a local church.

• Train staff on the Evangelism Explosion International Gospel Presentation.

• Educate staff about various spiritual resources that are available to them.

• Counsels, encourages, and mentors staff when needed for their personal spiritual renewal.

• Performs all other duties as required and assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• This position requires a Christ-like servant leader who has a sense of calling and who models Biblical principles.

• Passion and commitment to urban student transformation, confidence to lead in a challenging situation and belief that all children can learn.

• Outstanding problem-solving skills with an orientation toward results, action, impact and influence.

• Ability to work both as a team player and independently.

• Proven ability to work under tight deadlines and multi-task well.

• Outstanding time management and communication skills.

• Demonstrates strong relationship-building skills with children and adults.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to teach a wide range of students in grades K-8^th.

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field, and a minimum of 3 years related experience.

• Experience with a variety of worship studies.

• Experience leading relevant Bible Studies, small groups, and chapel/worship service..

• Experience using Google Suite products.

• Spanish speaking required (North Austin site only). 

Student Metrics

• 100% of students have a personal and saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

• 50% of students attend and are involved in a local church.

• 80% of students are able to share faith with others. 

• 80% of students have attended a small group session. 

• Students show increased knowledge about the Bible including memorizing Scripture verses.

• Older students are able to mentor younger students spiritually. 

• Student behavior demonstrates adherence to Christian principles and By The Hand Values.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopies, filing cabinets and fax machines. This job is not a virtual job, but it requires in-person attendance as agreed upon by your immediate supervisor.

Physical Demands

The employee is regularly required to speak and listen. This role may require you to move equipment between rooms and/or locations and lift up to 50 pounds. The individual is also required to travel to other organizational sites to meet with staff.

Disclaimer

The duties and responsibilities described are not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform. The employee may be required to perform additional functions as necessitated by business demands. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Employment with By The Hand Club For Kids is at will, and the employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.

By The Hand Club For Kids is an equal opportunity employer. By The Hand does not unlawfully discriminate against any protected classes. As a ministry, By The Hand is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees or prospective employees on the basis of religion in our screening and selection process. By The Hand is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified candidates with a disability, absent undue hardship. An employee or applicant who believes he or she has a disability and may require an accommodation must contact the Human Resources Department at hr@bythehand.org or call 773-854-4176.