Summary

The Director of the Child & Youth Protection Office is responsible for all aspects of the implementation and ongoing compliance with the Essential Norms and the Charter for the Protection of Children & Youth for the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph. This position is full time, averaging 40 hours per week.

Essential Duties

• Promote the policies and goals of the Diocese to create and maintain a safe, protective environment for the children, youth and vulnerable adults of the Diocese.
• Responsible for the operations of the three components of the Child & Youth Protection Office which includes victim/survivor services, training & education, and investigations as that relates to enforcement of the Essential Norms and implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children & Youth.
• Monitors compliance by Diocesan personnel regarding all settlement conditions.
• Manage and supervise the Victim Assistance Coordinator.
• Manage and supervise the Safe Environment Coordinator regarding volunteers.
• Serve as a point of contact for the Ombudsman.
• Ensure that Victim Services include the best practices for outreach and service for affected individuals as well as community programs, with a focus as far as possible on trauma-informed care.
• Approve all services recommended for individuals by the Victim Assistance Coordinator.
• Document contacts of the VAC in OCYP database regarding follow-up, support, information, etc. with the survivor, family and any other appropriate persons.
• Implement and enforce a consistent policy for background checks for all Diocesan clergy, employees and volunteers who may have interactions with children and youth.
• Maintain a document repository for all background checks, training compliance reports and acknowledgement of receipts of the Diocesan Code of Ethics provided to all clergy, employees and volunteers.
• Determine a volunteer’s eligibility for service based upon a review of background check results.
• Oversee the USCCB annual safe environment audit and annual CARA survey.
• Oversee membership and functions of the Independent Review Board for compliance with the Charter.
• Serve as a liaison, a non-voting presence of the Bishop, on the Independent Review Board outside of executive sessions.
• Develop and manage the budget for the Office of Child and Youth Protection.
• Collaborate with the Diocesan Communications Office on external and internal communications relating to victim outreach efforts and actions taken by the Diocese to protect its children and youth.
• Assign responsibilities for the formulation and revision of policies and practices related to the enforcement of the Essential Norms and implementation of the Charter.
• Serve as main point of contact to the Director of the affiliated Journey to Bethany.
• Partnering with the Safe Environment Program Coordinator, provide initial and ongoing education to newly ordained clerics who minister and support victim/survivors disclosing abuse.
• Participate in presentations promoting the work of the OCYP and Journey to Bethany as periodically requested.
• Regularly review and update handouts and resource materials; distribute to Diocesan staff and clergy as needed.
• Update Diocesan website as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Use strong verbal and written communication skills to exchange information clearly and concisely.
• Earn others’ trust and respect through consistent honesty and professionalism in all interactions. 
• Adhere to a high legal and ethical standard for self and staff, maintaining strict confidentiality in sensitive matters.
• Take personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and achieve results with little oversight.
• Promote a sense of collaboration and teamwork.
• Maintain an open, approachable manner, and treat others fairly and respectfully.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree or equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Intermediate level of proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated understanding of sexual abuse; preferrable is appreciation of trauma-informed care.
• Practicing Catholic with ethical standards, personal integrity, and conduct consistent with the morals and teachings of the Catholic Church.

The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental and vision plans, STD/LTD fully paid by the employer, retirement plans including a 403b plan and a defined benefit pension plan. Paid time off includes generous Vacation and Sick leaves, plus paid Holidays. 

Note: All employees are required to consent to a background check, commit to our Code of Conduct policy, and complete online and in-person training prior to hire.