Rural Life Coordinator, St. Cloud, MN, Posted 4/8/25

Rural Life Coordinator St. Cloud, MN Part-Time Reports To: Director of the Office of Social Concerns This position works up to 20 hours a week in a hybrid setting. This is an hourly position with compensation ranging from $20-23/hr. This position will remain posted until filled. Job Specifications: Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, Education, Social Work, Community Development or related field preferred. Job Related Experience: Two years of work experience in a community organizing related field is required. Current or previous experience living or working in a rural setting and understanding of agricultural realities is a plus. Job Summary: The Rural Life Coordinator will carry out the diocese’s mission to families, individuals and communities in rural areas of the Diocese of St. Cloud as directed. This position will assist the Director of Social Concerns in providing support and resources to rural communities, including parishes and Area Catholic Communities (ACC’s), around social equity issues and Catholic social teaching formation. Major Job Responsibilities: - Promote a culture of care for rural communities and the earth. - Promote education and awareness of rural people in the diocese and movement towards action for the common good. - Organize, facilitate and empower a network of parishioners and clergy to carry out these goals locally. - Assist with planning diocesan Rural Life Celebration and other ways of honoring Rural Life as a Diocese. - Other Duties as assigned Description of Job Duties: - Promote a culture of care for rural communities and the earth. - Take the lead on developing and promoting an understanding of Ladauto Si and action on behalf of care for the environment. - Identify resources available to faith communities from regional and national organizations such as Catholic Rural Life, Catholic Climate Covenant, Minnesota Laudato Si Chapter, Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) and others. - Determine how best to cooperate and collaborate across networks to address rural issues and care for creation concerns in light of Catholic social teaching. - Promote education and awareness of rural people in the diocese and movement towards action for the common good. - Keep current on the social, economic, and environmental issues affecting people living in rural areas. - Analyze issues through the lens of Catholic social teaching and provide resulting analysis to people in the diocese. - Coordinate gatherings and facilitate dialogue and corrective action around current issues. - Establish and maintain a network of faith and secular organizations that share similar concerns and values. - Collaborate with Diocesan communications office to educate and disseminate information. - Convene gatherings and develop networks to develop action for the common good. - Provide education opportunities on key tenants and application of Catholic social teaching. - Organize, facilitate and empower a network of parishioners and clergy to carry out these goals locally - Establish and maintain connections with parish / ACC social ministry groups. - Establish community relationships that result in the further development of social ministry programs in ACC’s as appropriate. - Co-coordinate the Rural Life Initiative (RLI), including recruitment, formation and ongoing support to social ministry teams. - Assist with the planning of the diocesan Rural Life Celebration or other ways of honoring Rural Life. - Responsibility for securing site, when applicable. - Convene and lead planning committee composed of parish leadership and Diocesan staff. - Assist in promotion of the event or awareness days. - Develop and disseminate prayer, resources and awareness-raising information for ACC’s to “honor our rural tradition.” - Promote and recruit for Catholic Century Farm Awards and Rural Business Award. - Other Duties as Assigned - Attend and participate in regular team meetings, all staff retreats and other staff activities as applicable. Physical Effort: Ability to ascend and descend stairs and to lift and carry up to 10-15 pounds Working Conditions: This position will work from their home office and requires travel on a regular basis throughout the Diocese. The Diocese of St. Cloud stretches more than 175 miles from east to west, encompassing 12,251 square miles in 16 central Minnesota counties. Supervision Given: This position provides no supervision.