Full-Time Missionary Catechist & Choir Director

Start Date: August 1, 2026 – Open to Discussion

The Diocese of the West of the Orthodox Church in America is seeking to hire a full-time lay or diaconal Missionary who will serve as Catechist & Choir Director for a mission in the greater Salt Lake City, Utah region launching in late summer or early fall 2026.  This missionary effort is being organized by His Grace, Bishop Vasily of San Francisco and the West with the support of an organizing committee composed of individuals including the chancellor, district dean, and missions director of the Diocese.

This full-time Missionary will be one of a two-person team led by the Missionary Priest-in-Charge.  The Missionary Catechist & Choir Director will be responsible for preparing readings and liturgical music, building and directing a choir for weekend and festal services throughout the year. This person will be able to sing services alone when necessary. As Catechist, the Missionary will work hand-in-hand with the Priest to develop the mission and to catechize adults and children coming to the Church. Responsibilities include preparing and giving regular talks, mentoring and building relationships with a group of incoming inquirers and catechumens. The Missionary must have robust knowledge of the spiritual life and traditions/practices of the Church, competency in church history, an understanding of the sacramental life to the Church, and above all, an ability to communicate clearly and help foster a spirit of humility and community. Our full-time Missionary team will be engaged in exciting and fulfilling work in a mission field with great potential and the lay Missionary Catechist & Choir Director will in his or her actions and words model and set the pace for lay leaders joining the mission.

We are committed to developing a complete liturgical cycle of services and worship as we participate in the greater community of Orthodoxy in Salt Lake City. We believe that beauty and sacred music play a central role in the worshipful magnification of Christ in the Church. Our music is English-centered and largely grounded in the four-part Slavic manner. The ideal candidate would hold a degree in music or theology with experience directing the services of the church (e.g., Vespers and Divine Liturgy). She or he should be proficient at preparing the texts and music for the services, knowledgeable in the eight tones customary in the OCA, skilled in vocal technique, giving pitches, reading, leading rehearsals, and conducting the choir. 

Compensation will be competitive with similar full-time roles and will be negotiated with the candidate based on experience. He or she should be able to commit to directing and preparing for four-five services per week within the festal cycle, development of a parish choir with weekly practices, meeting individually with inquirers and catechumen, teaching weekly classes and other ecclesial and administrative tasks as directed on an “exempt” salaried schedule.

 

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume or CV to slc@dowoca.org. Thank you for your interest in serving the Church!

Posted by

Diocese of the West of the Orthodox Church in America

1520 Green St
San Francisco, CA 94123

Web: dowoca.org
Email: slc@dowoca.org
Phone: 415-567-WEST

Posted on: May 04, 2026