Organist

Position:                     Music Scheduler and Organist

Date Revised:            July 1, 2025

Reports to:                 Pastor  

Location:                    St Mary Parish, 825 N Weaver, Gainesville

The principal duty of all employees is to assist in the mission of the Church in the Diocese of Fort Worth.  This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

General Position Summary:  Oversees the parish’s entire musical efforts; organist for 2 masses; maintains organ and piano and assists in the selection of future equipment; develops and grows music ministry in accord with Pastor’s vision and the key goals of glorifying God and fostering the sanctification of souls.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Directs St Mary’s choir for adults and St Mary school choir quarterly, working with church secretary on scheduling
• Plays for St Mary School choir Sunday mass quarterly (mass times rotate)
• Organist for 5 and 11:15 weekend Masses and Holy Days of Obligation; to include organ voluntaries of the highest quality and performance standard.
• Provides music for Holy Days, Easter Triduum, Christmas, etc.
• Recruits and trains volunteer Cantors.
• Supervises maintenance of organ and piano.
• Fosters ongoing liturgical formation of the parish
• Developing additional choral ensembles
• Develops parish efforts to evangelize through Church music through classes, articles, teaching at Vacation Bible School.
• All associated administrative tasks
• Interacts with parishioners, present at parish events.

Typical Decisions and/or Recommendations Made in This Position:

(Moderate/Minimal)Exercise discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance.

Supervision Given and/or Received:

 (Moderate or Minimal)

Internal Contacts:

• The Diocese, Pastors, Priests, Principals, Business Managers, and employees.

External Contacts:

• Parishioners, diocese vendors, local, state, and federal agency representatives, and auditors.

Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit and perform computer work for lengthy periods of time.
• Able to access and maintain centralized departmental files.  Involves extending arms and reaching files stored in multiple levels on shelves, climbing up a stepladder to access files.
• Ability to accept work interruptions while still remaining focused on duties.  
• Data entry via computer keyboard that requires repetitive and frequent hand and wrist movements.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance and up to 60 pounds with assistance.

Travel Requirements:

• Infrequent travel, by car, may be required to Diocese Parishes and/or schools.

Education and Experience Preferred:

Practicing Catholic in Good standing with the Catholic Church.

Has outstanding skills as an organist and choral director; able to play the major organ repertoire to a high professional standard and maintain that standard through regular practice and continuing education; able to improvise.

Knowledge and Skills Preferred:

• Demonstrated ability to listen empathetically, make peace, and de-escalate
• Demonstrated history of good judgement.
• Demonstrated aptitude for adaptability and flexibility.
• Ability to use various computer software programs; strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite, especially in Word and Excel.
• Ability to use various office machines (copier, fax, phones, calculator, scanner, etc.) or ability to learn.
• Ability to meet deadlines and follow directives from Pastor or Chief of Staff in a timely manner.               
• Ability to receive, understand, retain, and complete verbal and written tasks.
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and work efficiently with staff, clergy, religious, and laity.
• Ability to honor and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work well with people from a diverse variety of audiences.
• Excellent organization, prioritization, and communication skills.

FLSA Designation:  Non Exempt, Occasional, 19 hours per week