Policy Research/Writing Specialist - Temple Department

The purpose of the Temple Department is to provide policy guidance, training, and other support to the temple presidencies, ensuring that temple ordinances are kept pure, recorded accurately, and made available to worthy Church members.

The purpose of this position is to research the history and doctrinal foundation of temple policies and procedures and to support the development of written materials and messages that communicate these findings. This research and writing support the Temple Department in its mission to help Gods children make and keep sacred covenants. The Ordinance and Policy Researcher/Writer acts as a project lead in researching and producing content on topics that are of the highest priority for the Church. The person who fills this role works with limited supervision and is an expert in the field. This position may lead cross-departmental teams and projects.

This position typically reports to a manager or senior manager.

Church employees find joy and satisfaction in using their unique talents and abilities to further the Lords work. From the IT professional who develops an app that sends the gospel message worldwide, to the facilities manager who maintains our buildings— giving Church members places to worship, teach, learn, and receive sacred ordinances—our employees seek innovative ways to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. They are literally working in His kingdom.

Only members of the Church who are worthy of a temple recommend qualify for employment. Apart from this, the Church is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions on any basis that would violate U.S. or local law.

Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, national origin, color, gender, pregnancy, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or other legally protected categories that apply to the Church. The Church will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities.

• Works independently with limited supervision to research the history and doctrinal foundation of policies and procedures.
• May be asked to act as a subject-matter expert or consultant to produce policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Prepares research and executive-level presentations for department and executive leadership.
• May present research findings directly to senior management and General Authority Seventies.
• Collaborates with other Church departments to research and prepare research findings and written products.
• Summarizes research findings in various formats to best meet department and organizational needs.
• Prepares policy, procedural, and instructional products for distribution by the Temple Department and Church leadership councils.
• Provides writing and editing support, including developmental and substantive edits, to improve clarity, readability, and translatability.
• Verifies facts, dates, and statistics using reference sources.
• May occasionally assist in writing or research assignments outside of primary responsibilities.

• Bachelors degree in History, Religious Studies, Archival Science, Library Science, or a related field 
• 10+ years of experience as a researcher or in a field that requires extensive research, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ability to prepare and present executive-level presentations and incorporate feedback

• Ability to influence cross-functional teams without formal authority

• Broad knowledge of Church history, policies, and procedures
• Advanced knowledge of researching best practices
• Ability and commitment to keep strict confidences
• Ability to take on temporary management responsibilities
• Advanced critical thinking and communication skills 
• Interpersonal skills necessary to work as a member of a cohesive team
• Ability to analyze historical documents and research findings from multiple viewpoints
• Project lead experience

• To successfully perform the essential functions of the job there may be physical requirements which need to be met such as sitting for extended periods of time and using computer monitors/equipment

  Preferred

• Masters degree in History, Religious Studies, Archival Science, Library Science, or a related field
• Experience serving in the temple as a temple worker or temple employee