Children Programming Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Description:

REPORTS TO: SA CHILDREN’S FAMILY MINISTRY PASTOR

RELATES CLOSELY WITH: CHILDREN’S MINISTRY TEAM, SARATOGA STAFF

CLASSIFICATION: FULL-TIME // EXEMPT

SALARY RANGE: $65-$80K

WestGate Church is a non-denominational, multi-congregational church serving families in one of the most diverse and influential regions of the world, Silicon Valley. We are seeking a Saratoga Children’s Ministry Director to create Christ-centered, safe, and engaging environments for children and families. This full-time role provides leadership and oversight for children’s ministry from Nursery through 5th grade, partnering closely with the Children’s Pastor to develop and execute weekend programming, curriculum, and key ministry initiatives. The position follows a Sunday–Thursday schedule, with occasional evening, Friday, or Saturday commitments as ministry needs arise.

Requirements:

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Passionate Jesus follower, actively learning and living the way of Jesus: loving God, neighbor, and one another.
• A deep passion for working with children and a genuine desire to see them grow spiritually, emotionally, and socially.
• Understanding of and alignment with WestGate's theology, vision, and values, using them as a filter for decisions.
• Embodiment of staff values: Holy, Humble, Hungry, (People-)Smart. 
• Exemplification of essential competencies: oversight, strategy, team leadership, self-leadership, chemistry, communication, execution, stewardship, formation, proficiency.  
• Commitment to continual growth: spiritual, personal, professional; invests in the growth of others. 
• Demonstrates strong chemistry, connecting well with people as a relational team player.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university; or over two years related experience and/or training in children’s ministry, elementary education or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Positive, professional, self-starter with the ability to organize and prioritize responsibilities and projects with minimal direction. 
• Maintains a high level of confidentiality, handling situations with discretion, diplomacy, and tact. 
• Exhibits personal and professional discernment and discretion.  
• Superior communication skills: written and verbal.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and oversee in-church children’s ministry at the Saratoga campus (Nursery–5th grade) alongside SA Children's Pastor, creating safe, welcoming, and Christ-centered environments for children and families.
• Partner with the Children’s Pastor to plan, develop, and execute weekend programming, curriculum, and key ministry initiatives aligned with the Ministry Playbook and WestGate’s discipleship pillars.
• Provide oversight for all children’s programming, including childcare and support for children with special needs, ensuring environments are engaging, age-appropriate, and spiritually formative.
• Design creative, biblically sound experiences that point children to Jesus and foster connection with God, leaders, and peers.
• Recruit, develop, and lead coordinators and Serve Team members, cultivating a healthy, Christ-centered team culture and equipping leaders to serve with excellence.
• Partner with parents through communication and resources that equip families to disciple their children at home.
• Implement and uphold all child safety policies and procedures, including check-in/out, emergency protocols, background checks, and compliance with the WestGate Child Protection Policy.
• Plan and lead Christ-centered events including annual respite events, under the guidance of the Children’s Ministry Pastor.
• Provide care and guidance to children, parents, and Serve Team members, addressing challenges with wisdom and grace.
• Ensure ministry spaces are prepared, safe, organized, and well-supplied.
• Maintain accurate attendance, Serve Team, and ministry records, and manage the ministry budget with faithful stewardship.
• Collaborate with other ministry teams and support church-wide events as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

PRIMARY LEADERSHIP COMPONENTS

• Motivational Leadership - “I lead through platform” - Inspire action through platform leadership and motivational speaking. Low to High (1-5): 1
• Strategic Leadership - “I lead through strategic planning” - Advance our mission through data, planning, execution, and reporting. Low to High (1-5): 3
• Directional Leadership - “I lead through vision” - Ensure progress by defining goals, key objectives and providing guidance. Low to High (1-5): 4
• Relational Leadership - “I lead through connection” - Foster growth and well-being through personalized connection and care. Low to High (1-5): 4
• Team Leadership - “I lead through team” - Build team by recruiting, training, scheduling, and celebrating contributors. Low to High (1-5): 5

BENEFITS (FULL-TIME)

• Paid vacation, holidays, medical and sick days
• Provide medical, dental, vision and mileage reimbursements
• Support for mental/emotional/spiritual/physical health through various partnerships
• Further educational learning opportunities (conferences, seminars, cohorts & seminary)
• Matching retirement savings benefit

LEGAL NOTICES - PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stand for extended periods.
• Perform walking, bending, twisting, and kneeling.
• Navigate stairs.
• Demonstrate finger and hand dexterity for computer, instrument, and tool operation.
• Possess specific vision abilities, including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, with the ability to adjust focus.
• Lift and carry up to 20 pounds with or without assistance.

LEGAL NOTICES - WORK CONDITIONS

• Operate in a professional office or church environment with standard equipment like computers, printers, filing cabinets, and telephones.
• Lead in settings with various equipment, cables, stage lights, loud sounds, and visual stimuli.
• Work typically occurs Sunday-Thursday, with occasional Fridays, Saturdays, or evenings as needed.

This job description is not designed to cover or comprehensively list all possible duties, activities, or

responsibilities. These requirements may change at any time. Acceptance of this position constitutes the employee’s

understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position.