Education and Engagement Specialist

Chicago, IL, United States

Type: Full-Time

Reports to: Learning & Education Manager

Office Location: 1801 W. Warner, Suite 202, Chicago IL; required in-office minimum of 3 days per week (hybrid work policy subject to change)

Background:

The mission of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago is to provide hope and improve the quality of life for those whose lives are affected by mental illness. NAMI Chicago seeks to fill gaps in Chicago's mental health system, with an intentional emphasis on serving underrepresented populations and breaking down barriers to care.

Who We Are Looking For:

We are currently looking for individuals who embody our core values of compassion, integrity, and connection to join our team as an Education & Engagement Specialist. This community-facing role involves coordinating and developing relationships in the southwest side of Chicago. We are seeking self-starters who enjoy working collaboratively. The Education & Engagement Specialist will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities:

Community Engagement Training:

Represents the agency at coalition, committees and/or community gatherings, trainings and/or workshops to further spread the mission of NAMI Chicago as well as awareness of our goal to help support individuals and families in the city impacted by mental health conditions.

Provides educational workshops to community members.

Trains FQHC staff and other provider partners on mental health awareness concepts, linkage and connection to the collaborative, and self-care.

Trains community members as a preventive approach focusing on mental health awareness concepts and linkage and connection to mental health care.

Coordinates and builds relationships in Chicago's mental health crisis system focused on helping people avoid repeated need for crisis and emergency response.

Maintains intake notes, agency resource records, and documentation using NAMI Chicago's database system and provides monthly reports on resource updates and new partnerships or programs.

Manages communication with agency representatives, internal staff, and ambassadors for training coordination.

The Primary point person for NAMI Chicago's participation in the Pediatric and Adolescent Transformative Healthcare (PATH) Collaborative, specifically focused on the southwest area of Chicago. This encompasses engaging in community meetings, committee meetings for the collaborative, conducting training, and liaising between the project and NAMI Chicago.

Manages scheduling for external training, manages calendar for PATH related events.

Requirements

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrates ability to well serve underrepresented and vulnerable populations, including social and racial/ethnic minorities as well as those living with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders

Proven record of success working in a diverse environment that includes people of different identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and physical/mental ability

Exhibits sensitivity, empathy towards human service issues and a non-judgmental attitude towards individuals requiring assistance

Ability to speak in large groups.

Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate complex analyses to multiple audiences, understanding the needs of individuals.

Strong classroom management skills.

Demonstrate a strong record of successful collaborative work, with excellent interpersonal and team-building skills, and the ability to participate in a multi-disciplinary team as a team member.

Highly organized with the ability to manage and effectively prioritize competing deadlines

Ability to travel throughout the Chicagoland area.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Community Health, or other related fields required

3 or more years of experience working with diverse people living with mental illness in a community mental health agency, hospital, or other setting or working on database management or network development in the healthcare sector

One year experience working in community organizing or coalition-based work or other relevant work experience such as health promotion

Proficiency in Windows, Microsoft Office, and database management

Computer Skills: Proficiency Microsoft Access, Excel and Word

Proficiency in Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange; Windows operating systems; and other software routinely used by NAMI Chicago

Welcomed Qualifications:

Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred

Experience with working with, populations experiencing homelessness, individuals living with serious mental illness, or judicial system involvement strongly preferred

One year experience of conducting trainings and speaking in front of crowds preferred

Available Benefits:

Compensation range begins at $50,000/year

Medical, Dental and Vision benefits

Company Sponsored Life and AD&D Insurance

Unmatched 401k Program

Company sponsored wellness activities

NAMI Chicago is an inclusive employer, we welcome and encourage BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Veterans, Differently Abled, Returning Citizens and All Who Are Dedicated to Mental Health to Apply.

Covid-19 Note: In the spirit of caring for one another and our community, please note that upon accepting an offer of employment from NAMI Chicago, you will be required to share proof of a COVID-19 vaccination and booster upon eligibility. You may apply for a Medical or Religious Exemption in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

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