Hiring a Youth Minister

“We have a treasure of life and love which cannot deceive, and a message which cannot mislead or disappoint. It penetrates to the depths of our hearts, sustaining and ennobling us. It is a truth which is never out of date because it reaches that part of us which nothing else can reach. Our infinite sadness can only be cured by an infinite love,” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 194). 

Is your parish looking to hire a Youth Minister? We hope this page can serve as a helpful resource for you!

Why Work in the Diocese of Youngstown?

The Diocese of Youngstown is a wonderful place to live and be a part of the Church! We are a medium-sized Diocese with both rural and urban areas to give you a variety of options in where you can do ministry. We are located in Northeast Ohio, with geographical areas covering everywhere from the shores of Lake Erie to Cuyahoga Valley National Park; from Steel Valley through the Pro Football Hall of Fame!

While we recognize that Directors & Coordinators of Youth Ministry require formal training and workshop opportunities, we also wish for them to feel part of a community that spends time together in prayer, fellowship, and worship. We provide activities and retreats to meet these needs. In addition to serving our Youth Ministers, Young Adult Ministers, and Campus Ministers, we also provide a handful of diocesan-wide events and activities for youth with the hope of supplementing our parish ministries, as well as help alleviate the workload and remind our ministers that they are not alone!

The Office of Youth and Young Adult Accompaniment for the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown is actively seeking men and women who feel called to bring, and be, Christ to others through a model of relational ministry and active accompaniment. If you are feeling called to apply to be a Director or Coordinator of Youth Ministry at a parish near you who is seeking someone to fill this position, then please submit a resume and cover letter to:

Diocese of Youngstown

Office of Youth and Young Adult Accompaniment

144 W. Wood St.

Youngstown, OH 44503

The Diocese collects resumes and cover letters to have on file for when a pastor of one of our parishes reaches out to ask for a list of contacts who have inquired about becoming a Youth Minister. You may also want to follow our parishes directly and note any job openings on their websites.

Why Should Our Parish Hire a Youth Minister?

Having a person who is dedicated to investing into the young people in your parish community plays a vital role in fostering the spiritual, social, and emotional development of young people within the Church. The impact of youth ministry can last a lifetime! Here are some reasons why you should hire a youth minister at your parish:

• Nurtures Faith During a Critical Time – The years of adolescence are the most formative years of a person’s life. A Youth Minister can guide teens through life’s challenges during this time while helping them grow in their Catholic faith, making that faith personal, relevant, and resilient.
• Creates a Sense of Belonging – Many of our young people are leaving the Church because they do not feel connected. Giving them something to feel connected to and be a part of can help reverse this trend.
• Supports Families – It is impossible to separate youth ministry from family ministry. Youth Ministers are inevitably supporting teens’ parents and caregivers in raising faithful Catholics. They can also offer resources to help reinforce and live the faith at home.
• Supports Vocations – Through prayer, mentorship, and conversation, youth ministers can walk with teens to help them explore where God is calling them – whether to the Priesthood, Religious Life, or Marriage.
• Evangelization and Outreach – Youth Ministers can build bridges between your parish and the wider community, giving the space for teens to invite their friends and welcome non-Catholics, as well as ask tough questions.
• Pastoral Care – Hiring a paid Youth Minister allows for continuity, consistency, and stability in your parish, which is crucial for building long-term trust with teens and their families. By being a consistent presence, Youth Ministers can help teens stay grounded in faith and community long past high school.
• Liturgical Involvement – Youth Ministers can help integrate teens into the life of the parish by training lectors and altar servers, and encouraging them to become involved in other ministries for Mass.

Hiring Resources

Youth Ministry positions can be hard to fill. It is important to be patient and seek who may be the best fit for your parish. It may not be wise to hire someone simply to ‘check a box.’ You may want to spend some time brainstorming what your expectations are for the position, as well as drumming up a convincing blurb describing why someone would want to work at your parish. Be intentional! 

Job Description Templates

• Youth Ministry Sample Job Description
• Young Adult Ministry Sample Job Description

Where to Post the Job Opening

• Contact the Diocesan Department of Communications to post on the Diocesan website
  • communications@youngstowndiocese.org
• Catholic Jobs
  • https://catholicjobs.com/ 
• Job Boards such as: LinkedIn, Indeed, and Social Media
• National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
  • https://nfcym.org/more/jobs
• Catholic Universities
  • Including, but not limited to:
    • Benedictine College (Atchison, KS)
    • Catholic University of America (Washington D.C.)
    • Christendom College (Front Royal, VA)
    • Franciscan University of Steubenville (Steubenville, OH)
    • John Carroll University (Cleveland, OH)
    • Walsh University (North Canton, OH)

Additional Resources and Information:

• Go to the diocesan “New Youth Ministers” Webpage
• Reach out to Maddie Francisco at mfrancisco@youngstowndiocese.org for any assistance with the following:
  • Subscribing to bi-weekly eNewsletter updates
  • Upcoming events for Youth & Young Adult Ministry Leaders
  • Onboarding suggestions for new hires
    • Article: “Reduce Turnover with Better Onboarding” (Marathon Youth Ministry)
  • Consultation Services
  • Additional Resources

“No single act of love for God will be lost, no generous effort is meaningless, no painful endurance is wasted. […] Let us keep marching forward; let us give him everything, allowing him to make our efforts bear fruit in his good time,” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 204). 

The Office of Youth & Young Adult Accompaniment journeys with and supports the youth ministers, young adult ministers, and campus ministers in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, working to provide formative and inspirational opportunities to be fed spiritually so they can continue to encourage a life of faith among youth and young adults throughout the diocese. The Office facilitates collaboration between parishes and our Catholic high schools and colleges, generates enthusiasm, and creates and promotes opportunities to personally encounter Jesus Christ.