Director of Social Outreach

The Archdiocese of St. Louis strives to teach and share our faith, serve others, and foster unity throughout the St. Louis area. Once a part of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary's campus, the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury, MO is today the headquarters and curia (governing body) for the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Job Summary

The role of the Director of Social Outreach is to serve as the lead agent in advancing knowledge and awareness of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church in the Western Vicariate. This Director also works collaboratively with fellow staff, parishes, and agencies to facilitate Social Outreach efforts in the vicariate. The Director spearheads the effort to foster a collective understanding of service as inherent to Discipleship, rooted in the teachings of Jesus that are found in Scripture and as those have been expounded upon in ecclesial and magisterial teaching throughout the Church's history.

Job Responsibilities

Foster working relationships with and collaboration among all social outreach programs and agencies in the Vicarate (e.g., social service agencies, food pantries, homeless shelters, advocacy groups, prison/jail ministries, parishes and particularly St. Vincent de Paul Societies and others who engage in charitable works.
• Creates, provides, or facilitates formation opportunities in Catholic Social Teaching for those engaged in direct outreach ministries and services.
• Assist pastors and parish staff members in establishing Social Concerns Committees or comparable entities in parishes for parishioner engagement and formation in Catholic Social Teaching, advocacy and service
• Collaborate with other Vicariate staff, particularly the Catholic Charities Navigator, on identifying gaps in direct service or gaps in understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and brainstorming and implementing ways to bridge those gaps
• Collaborate with other Vicariate staff, particularly the Director of Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, on endeavors in which there is crossover and synergy between Discipleship and Advocacy or Service
• Maintain working relationships with Curial Departments whose mission is correlative to Social Outreach (e.g., Office of Peace and Justice, Office of Racial Harmony, Rural Parish Clinic, Pro-Life Office, etc.) and serve on Archdiocesan Commissions related to this scope of interest as requested or as beneficial (e.g., Gun Violence Task Force, Immigration Task Force, etc.

Job Requirements

Bachelor's or graduate degree (preferably in Theology or Pastoral Studies or Catholic Educator Certification).

Experience in Social Work or direct outreach/Christian service.

Three or more years' experience in parish ministry or other areas of working for the Church.

Working knowledge of the principles and content of Catholic Social Teaching.

Skills & Attitudes Required for Success in Job
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, if not also experience in teaching and/or making public presentations
• Organizational and interpersonal skills. Adept in forming working groups, fostering collaboration, and relationship building. Facility with project development, planning, and implementation.
• Capacity for strategic thinking and planning
• Working competency with Microsoft Office products
• Comfortability with engaging ecumenical partners, local government and civic partners, civic and fraternal organizations, etc.
• Strong sense of prudential judgment, professional confidentiality, ethical standards, just practices, etc., regarding coworkers and collaborators as well as regarding people served

The Archdiocese of St. Louis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital, parental, veteran or disability status.


Pre-Employment Screening
All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre-employment screening. The screening will include criminal background check, Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, employment and educational licensure/certification verification, health screening, and any other screenings deemed necessary for employment. Any offer would be contingent upon successful completion of any required screening.