Special Needs Director
18 days ago
San Antonio
Job DescriptionSalary: Job Title: Special Needs Director Job Type: Full Time Status: Exempt Work Week: Sunday Thursday Reports to: Lead Pastor Direct Reports: Volunteers Weekly Attendance: 1200 Job Summary: The Special Needs Director leads Outer West Community Church (OWCC) in creating a safe, welcoming, and Christ-centered environment where people of all abilities (children through adults) can know Jesus, grow in faith, and fully participate in the life of the church. This role champions inclusion across all ministries, builds pathways for worship, discipleship, and service for individuals with disabilities, and supports their families with care, resources, and relational support. The Director will equip volunteers, partner with families, and advocate for accessibility in both physical and digital spaces so that every person belongs. Primary Duties: • Develop and implement a comprehensive Special Needs Ministry strategy for every life stage including preschool, children, students, and adults., • Collaborate with pastors and ministry leaders to incorporate belonging into discipleship pathways, life groups, and church events., • Oversee all programming, including buddy systems, sensory rooms, adaptive classrooms, and inclusive worship opportunities., • Recruit, train, and equip volunteers providing ongoing training in accessibility, adaptive teaching strategies, and safety protocols ensuring that systems prevent burnout and encourage long-term engagement., • Develop, lead, or support caregiver & parent groups, respite care events, and care for families including those who cannot physically attend weekly., • Serve as the primary connection for families, building relationships with parents and caregivers, offering resources, encouragement and community., • Build partnerships with schools, therapy providers, agencies, and other disability organizations., • Advocate for accessibility improvements in facilities, technology, communications, and events., • Work with Kids, Students, Worship Arts, Operations, and Communications to ensure accessibility and inclusion are built into all ministries and events., • Develop and manage the Special Needs Ministry budget, ensuring wise stewardship of resources., • Regularly report ministry progress to the Lead Pastor., • A personal, growing relationship with Jesus Christ and alignment with OWCCs mission, values, and theological distinctives., • Proven experience in disability ministry, social services, or inclusion-focused leadership (church or nonprofit)., • Strong ability to teach, counsel, and shepherd diverse populations., • Excellent organizational, administrative, and communication skills., • Proven ability to recruit, train, and develop volunteers., • Understanding of accessibility best practices and adaptive ministry strategies., • Bachelors degree in ministry, social work, education, or related field preferred; seminary training a plus., • Knowledge of and confidence in their identity in Christ and specific vocational ministry calling., • Knowledge of strategic and collaborative leadership styles and models., • Knowledge of biblical theology as it relates to spiritual formation., • Knowledge of foundational Christian beliefs and practices., • Knowledge of Planning Center Online, Mac, PC, Office, and Google applications and equipment., • Knowledge of basic meeting planning, principles of supervision, training, and performance management., • Knowledge and experience in people and project management principles, administration practices, organization techniques, and methodologies., • Knowledge and experience with budget development, expense tracking/reporting, and administration., • Ability to work in a fluid and collaborative environment., • Ability to lead a group to accomplish a common goal., • Ability to multitask, work independently, follow direction with a high attention to detail., • Ability to identify, encourage, recruit and develop culture champions to whom leadership and authority can be delegated., • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively through both verbal and written means., • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, members, and ministry volunteers. Periodic lifting/carrying of items weighing up to 20 pounds; required visual acuity, speech, and hearing; manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination are essential for operating a computer keyboard and basic office equipment. Tasks may involve sitting, standing, reaching, walking, twisting, and kneeling as needed for the role. Work primarily takes place within an indoor office environment. OWCC Staff Expectations: • Active and personal relationship with Jesus Christ., • Actively embraces the OWCC staff values., • Personally engaged with the OWCC mission, vision, and values., • Embraces and covenants to the OWCC Partnership and Leadership Covenants., • Partner with other departments to lead, promote, and/or implement ministry initiatives and ev