Job Title:  Specialized Needs Associate Director

Department: Family Ministries

Reports to: Family Care Pastor  

Status: Full-Time

Schedule: Sunday – Thursday  (with rotating Fridays) | 40 hours

Supervisory role: No

Last updated: 3.12.25

New Life Church's mission is to make disciples in the Pikes Peak region, by calling people to worship, connect and serve.  

To serve the Church by coordinating the vision and execution of our Specialized Needs Ministry program, which effectively provides a safe and loving environment for children and adults from ages 3 and up.

• Develop and Implement Ministry Vision – Collaborate with the Family Care Pastor to create and oversee a ministry philosophy for children, teenagers, and adults with specialized needs, as well as their families.
• Plan and Lead Ministry Services and Events – Organize and execute ministry plans for individuals with a specialized need during Family Ministry services and events, including Kids Camp and Desperation Conference.
• New Life Services Active Participation – Rotate serving in Family Ministries on Fridays and Sundays, supporting families, assisting in specialized needs classrooms, and working alongside volunteers.
• Family Intake and Information Management – Process new family intakes, maintain accurate records, and safeguard personal information.
• Curriculum Development and Supply Management – Work with the Family Ministries team to create curriculum, maintain classroom supplies, and ensure readiness for Sunday mornings and Midweek Ministry.
• Volunteer Recruitment and Training – Recruit, interview, and train specialized needs classroom volunteers, “buddies,” and teen assistants, providing ongoing professional development.
• Community and Church Collaboration – Partner with other New Life congregations, local organizations, and community resources to enhance specialized care and support for families.
• Family Support and Shepherding – Encourage and mentor families, oversee the Specialized Family Support Group, and provide guidance to parents expecting or raising a child with a specialized need.
• Event Coordination and Leadership – Participate in Family Ministry and Family Care events, ensuring best practices and team collaboration.

Administrative and Church-Wide Support – Maintain operating procedures, attend staff meetings, contribute to team-building efforts, and assist with broader church events and initiatives.

• Understanding of intellectual, developmental, and physical specialized needs, along with best practices for individualized support.
• Familiarity with specialized needs and specialized need related policies and laws.
• Knowledge of behavioral management techniques, de-escalation strategies, and person-centered care.
• Knowledge of how to structure and manage specialized programs for adults with specialized needs.
• Ability to assess situations quickly and implement appropriate interventions.
• Ability to work with individuals with diverse needs in a compassionate, respectful manner.
• Capable of adjusting to evolving needs, regulations, and unexpected challenges.
• Able to participate in hands-on activities, assist with mobility, and handle emergency situations if necessary.
• Ability to work effectively with families, healthcare providers, and community organizations.
• Strong computer skills, including familiarity, experience and ability to navigate and produce documents within a variety of software applications (MS Office Suite, databases, MS Outlook) and strong internet researching skills.
• Strong organizational and office skills.
• Ability to read and carry out written and oral instructions.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetical functions.
• Good analytical skills with the ability to extract data and draw conclusions.
• Ability to verbally communicate effectively and tactfully at all levels.
• Personable and helpful attitude.
• Ability to handle constantly changing priorities and demands.
• Excellent grammar and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and to complete projects with little guidance.
• Able to work well under pressure.
• Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Detail-oriented and self-motivated.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Able to utilize equipment such as scanners, copiers, calculators, fax machines, etc.

Education: Bachelors Degree in Special Education, Social Work, ABA, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, or in a relevant field.

Experience: 

• Minimum of 3 years working with individuals with specialized needs in an educational, healthcare, or social services setting.
• Experience managing specialized programs, supervising staff and volunteers, and overseeing individualized care plans.
• Experience in training staff on best practices for supporting individuals with specialized needs.
• Experience handling behavioral challenges, implementing positive reinforcement strategies, and crisis de-escalation.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the facility for extended periods.
• Occasional bending, kneeling, or crouching to assist individuals with mobility challenges.

• Ability to lift or assist in lifting individuals, if necessary (e.g., during transfers or emergency situations).
• Regularly required to sit and occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with specialized needs to perform the essential functions.

This description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with this job.  It is intended to reflect the principal job elements essential for making compensation and employment decisions.

I have read and understood the requirements for this position and I can perform the essential responsibilities for this position.

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