Objective: Provide administrative and spiritual leadership in the Special Needs Ministry to advance the vision and
mission of Valley Church. Leadership roles include the recruitment, discipleship, and equipping of volunteers and leaders
to fulfill the broad scope of current and future growth and development of the Special Needs Ministry (birth-adult).
Compensation: Full time, 45-50 hours per week, annual salary (commensurate with experience, education, and
credentials). Exempt status. Benefits include group health insurance, paid vacations, and other benefits as outlined in
our Personnel Policies.
ROLE: The Special Needs Ministry Associate is a…
• DNA Carrier: Completely embraces and contagiously communicates the mission, values, strategy, and impact
measures of Valley Church.
• Relational Leader: Friendly and approachable.
• Talent Scout: Always on the lookout for new leaders and volunteers.
• Solution Specialist: Able to identify problems and find solutions.
• Time Manager: Able to prioritize, organize, and execute next steps to move ministry forward.
• Cheerleader: Encouraging to leaders, volunteers, and staff.
• Catalytic Leader: Able to rally people to a cause.
• Developer: Able to recruit, develop, and impactfully connect hundreds of volunteers to serving in weekly
discipleship programs as well as community outreach events.
• Healthy Relationship Champion: Cares for the spiritual, emotional, and relational health of families with special
needs and provides opportunities for connection and support.
• Team Builder: Can build teams and identify high-capacity leaders to build more teams. Empowers others to
lead, not just to do. Experienced multiplier/builder (rather than just a great doer, this role is a great equipper).
• Coach: works with other ministry staff to provide insights and help to minimize barriers and provide as inclusive
of an environment as possible for individuals with special needs.
• Community liaison: work with community organizations that support families and individuals with special needs
to determine how Valley Church can partner with them in support of Valley Church families and others in our
community.
NOT: The Special Needs Ministry Associate is NOT a…
• Program director: You are not babysitting children/adults with special needs through programs or gatherings.
You are a disciple-maker. Discipleship and outreach are equally important to us.
• Lone Ranger: If you want to do all the ministry yourself, this role will not work for you. Empowering and
equipping your team (paid staff and volunteers) is a must. You exist to multiply ministry effectiveness.
• Clock-in/Clock-out Role: This is not a regular 9:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday work schedule.
• Special Needs Ministry First Role: The Special Needs Ministry should matter more to you than anyone else on
staff, however, we first serve the needs of the church, then our ministry area.
• Special Needs Guru: You may have knowledge or training in specific areas relating to special needs, but you will
lean into volunteers and others with specific knowledge as needed.
• Counselor: Although you will have opportunities to walk alongside families to provide support and
encouragement, you are not expected to step into a professional counseling role.
PERSONALLY: The Special Needs Ministry Associate is….
• Theologically and missionally aligned: agrees with the theology and mission of Valley Church and the EFCA.
• Action-oriented: Decisive, within rightful submission to authority.
• Highly Relational: Loves, enjoys, and excels at relating to individuals within the church as well as unchurched
members of the community.
• Humble learner: Can take direction and feedback well and has a great desire to learn.
• Co-laborer: Comes alongside senior leaders to help them achieve the mission-aligned goals of our church.
• Energetic Multi-Tasker: Able to work on a broad range of projects and levels.
• Seasoned: Knows and loves our church. No question on understanding and agreeing on our ministry philosophy,
practices, and values.
• Conflict resolver: Able and unafraid to work through interpersonal conflicts, ministry misalignment, or issues of
sin. True peacemaker.
• Time manager: Does not require external systems to prioritize; is intrinsically motivated.
• Trustworthy: Has unwavering loyalty to Christ, senior leaders, and Valley Church. Understands sensitive
situations and maintains complete confidentiality. Skilled with diplomatic endeavors.
• Flexible: Understands the complexity of working with a variety of staff/perspectives and collaboratively works
with patience, flexibility, and grace.
• Person of integrity: At the core, he or she makes solid decisions based on lifelong, biblical values.
• Responsible: Able to take ownership of commitments.
• Self-aware individual: Knows where he or she is weak and finds others to fill in those gaps. Emotionally
intelligent and healthy.
• Disciple: Fully devoted to following Jesus in everything he or she does.
JOB: The Special Needs Ministry Associate is responsible for….
• Communication:
o Embrace and share the vision of the ministry and how it supports the vision and mission of Valley
Church. This would include to families to grow the ministry and with the general church population to
recruit the volunteer teams needed to support the ministry.
o Inform families and community partners of the different events going on through emails, social media
posts, and reaching out to TV reporters, radio, and newspaper coverage.
o Promote awareness and acceptance throughout the church and community.
• Leadership: Provide primary leadership for the growth of the ministry in all areas (children, youth, adults,
families and community outreach) by communicating and working in good will with the ministry leaders that the
Special Needs Ministry supports. This includes working with leaders in Children’s Ministry, Student Ministries,
Adult Ministries (Life Groups), Valley Community Center, and other community groups.
• Healthy Relationships: Minister to, encourage, pray for, and be personally involved in the lives of the
families and the volunteers. Develop a team of volunteers to provide regular respite events for parents,
community groups for moms and dads, and encouragement for caretakers.
• Leadership Pipeline: On-going recruitment of volunteers, team leaders, and coordinators to meet the
needs of all aspects of ministry: Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights for children and youth, Sunday
morning and community events for adults, and the support and care of families. Plan regular
Orientation/Training sessions once or twice a year.
• Ministry Mindset: Overall ministry mindset. Serve Valley Church as a whole. Understand that our first
calling is to serve the whole church, followed by serving in our specific ministry area. This also includes
building the Kingdom Ministry by supporting and partnering with other churches in the community or
EFCA to be a resource and help them develop a ministry to serve families with special needs.
• Curriculum Development: Provide curriculum to meet the needs of the students/adults in their different
rooms or individually to help them learn to their best ability.
• Appreciation: Show appreciation to our volunteers in a variety of ways throughout the year and
personally on a regular basis.
• Security: Disciple a team of training team members to observe the students, write their profiles, train
the volunteers, and be available to handle the unknowns. Communicate and maintain policies and
procedures as needed to ensure the safety and well-being of volunteers, children, adults, and their
families or staff.
• Teamwork: Promote a spirit of harmony and good will toward other leadership, staff, and volunteers.
Work with the Children’s Ministry team during Great Pumpkin Party, Easter with Kids, and other events
that benefit special needs families and adults.
• Administrative: Create and oversee the ministry budget. Work closely with the administrative assistant
to produce calendars, job descriptions, event sign ups, and other tasks that come with leading the
ministry.
• Other duties as delegated by your supervisor.
RELATIONSHIPS of the Special Need Ministry Associate include …
Reports to Director of Children’s Ministry
Works closely with • Children’s Ministry team
• Valley Community Center staff
• Middle School and High School lead associates
• Community Partners
Leads Special Needs ministry admin (part-time: 10-12 hours), Special Needs
ministry associate (part-time: 20 hours) and behavioral specialist (parttime: 5-7 hours)
SUCCESS of the Special Needs Ministry Associate is defined by…
• Providing a safe place for children and/or adults with special needs so parents/caregivers can attend
worship.
• Spiritual formation: making changes or modifications to environment, curriculum, or how teaching is
delivered to continually guide each child/adult to grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus.
• Welcoming Environment: Staff and volunteer teams are friendly and work to make accommodations as
needed for children and adults with special needs.
• Outward focused: Provide connecting and learning opportunities for both families that attend Valley
Church and for those in our community.
• Healthy relationships with volunteers, families, individuals, staff, and community organizations.
• Developing and training volunteer leaders for all areas of the ministry.
• Families are supported, encouraged, seen, and heard.
• Volunteers are supported and appreciated.
