Church Administrator - First Congregational Church of Evanston (UCC)

The First Congregational Church of Evanston, UCC (FCCE) is seeking a full-time Church Administrator with a positive outlook and flexible attitude to perform a variety of general administrative, financial and building management functions under the direct supervision of the church’s Senior Minister but also in coordination and with the support of the church’s lay leaders and members. The role is an important part of a stellar team that serves an engaged church membership as well as the community through multiple outreach programs.

This position will be filled on a temp to perm basis, with an initial 90 day probation period.

Responsibilities for this role include four key areas of focus:

Administrative

• As principal church receptionist, answer church routine emails, phones and front doorbell; provide support to all colleagues using the church space or services.
• Proactively address issues and concerns and raise as appropriate with the Senior Minister, other church staff or lay leaders.
• Maintain church's online and written church calendar, including special events, weddings, funerals, etc., and distribute to church staff.
• Ensure that office machines, equipment, and supplies for support of staff and church operations are available and proactively and inexpensively secured per approved budget.
• Maintain and update church database for mailings (electronic and written).

Programmatic

• Prepare and print weekly bulletin in coordination with Senior Minister.
• Prepare and produce promotional materials in coordination with Minister of Community Life.
• Support church online presence including weekly email, newsletter and website.
• Provide administrative support for church events (retreats, meetings, concerts, etc.)

Financial

• Maintain financial records on the church's proprietary software (Realm for membership and contributions and Connect Now for ledgers, payable and payroll); maintain records of contributions and donor activity; handle weekly financial transactions, including online bill payment, check generation and deposits;
• Support preparation of annual budget through accurate records of current operating and future operating costs.
• Support stewardship campaigns with record keeping and technical assitance.
• Coordinate monthly financial reviews with the church accounting firm.

Building and Grounds

• Serve as the internal or external point of contact for any church member or staff member who has a concern involving maintenance and operations of buildings, grounds, and church equipment and appliances.
• Work closely with building maintenance contractor(s) and others to develop and maintain a schedule of maintenance and repair for both the church and church house buildings to ensure the grounds are always in a safe and functional state of good repair. This will include interaction with maintenance and cleaning personnel, snow removal, and lawn care service providers.
• Manage relationships and be the point of contact with building partners in the Community Center and persons using church buildings.
• Facilitate short and long-term use and lease agreements with individuals and groups using church buildings.
• Secure assistance to set up facilities for meetings, classrooms, conferences, special events, etc.
• Ensure that buildings security systems and routines, including mechanical, are followed. Maintain all security records (codes, alarm records).
• Oversee insurance issues for employees, individuals and groups using or leasing church building spaceand contractors.

Qualifications and Attributes:

• Minimum of five years’ experience of office operations management, preferably in a church or not-for-profit setting.
• Computer skills including knowledge of software applications, including Google Docs, Microsoft Word and records management, and willingness to learn applications such as church accounting software.
• Ability to navigate and update social media and online sharing.
• Communications skills (including telephone, business writing), time management, and interpersonal skills especially working with volunteers.
• Basic knowledge of building systems such as plumbing, phone, electrical and HVAC in order to secure and oversee service providers.
• Must be customer service driven.
• Must have sound judgment and alertness.
• Proven ability to pay attention to detail and follow-through on tasks to completion.
• Demonstrated initiative and reliability in previous roles.
• Knowledge of customer service principles and practices.
• Ability to prioritize and execute multiple requests for assistance.
• Commitment to organizational mission and goals and ability to work collaboratively to achieve them.
• Bilingual a plus.
• College degree preferred.

Shift/Hours/Days: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday; may include some occasional early mornings, weekend and/or evening hours.

Working Conditions: this role is primarily in an office setting although frequent movement within and between church buildings is required. Work from home option is available on a limited basis.