Youth Education and Engagement Coordinator

About the role

The Youth Education & Engagement Coordinator provides day-to-day coordination and administrative support for NAMI McHenry County's youth education and engagement initiatives, including Youth Voices for Mental Health: A Bullying Prevention Initiative. Working closely with the Education & Engagement Manager, this position coordinates anti-bullying and youth mental health workshops, supports NAMI on Campus chapters and youth ambassadors, assists with youth and parent support-group logistics, develops community awareness campaigns, manages program data, and builds relationships with schools and youth-serving organizations throughout McHenry County.

Responsibilities

• Youth Education Program Coordination
• Coordinate the day-to-day logistics for youth educational programs, trainings, workshops, presentations, and outreach events.
• Manage youth program calendars and scheduling.
• Coordinate participant registration, communication, program materials, room reservations, and presenter scheduling.
• Ensure youth programs are organized and delivered in accordance with NAMI standards and grant requirements.
• Become certified to facilitate NAMI Ending the Silence, QPR Suicide Prevention Training, and other relevant programs.
• Deliver youth mental health and suicide prevention presentations throughout McHenry County.
• Anti-Bullying and Youth Mental Health Initiative
• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of an evidence-informed anti-bullying and youth mental health workshop for middle and high school students.
• Cook up workshops addressing bullying, cyberbullying, social media, mental health, safe bystander intervention, help-seeking, and available resources.
• Aid in developing presentations, facilitator guides, student materials, and outreach resources.
• Collaborate with school administrators, counselors, social workers, and educators to schedule workshops in classrooms, small groups, assemblies, and community settings.
• Use youth-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and evidence-informed approaches.
• Youth Leadership and NAMI on Campus
• Support existing NAMI on Campus chapters and assist with establishing additional chapters in local schools.
• Recruit, engage, and support youth ambassadors who lead peer-driven bullying prevention and mental health awareness initiatives.
• Cook up youth leadership meetings, peer discussions, awareness events, and school-wide campaigns.
• Support youth-created messaging focused on kindness, inclusion, positive school climates, and help-seeking.
• Maintain regular communication with student leaders and school advisors.
• Track youth ambassador participation, activities, and program outcomes.
• Youth and Family Support Services
• Work with the Director of Youth Programs to coordinate scheduling, registration, space, materials, communication, and referrals for youth and parent support groups.
• Cook up outreach to youth and families who may benefit from support services.
• Connect participants with NAMI programs and appropriate community mental health resources.
• Track attendance and program participation while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Program Administration and Data Management
• Maintain accurate records for youth programming, participation, outreach activities, and outcomes.
• Monitor progress toward program and grant goals.
• Aid in monthly and grant-related reporting.
• Prepare educational materials, participant packets, presentations, and outreach supplies.
• Monitor program evaluations and participant feedback to support continuous quality improvement.
• Promptly communicate safety concerns, incidents, program barriers, or delays to the Education & Engagement Manager.
• Community Outreach and Engagement
• Represent NAMI McHenry County at school events, community activities, resource fairs, and youth-focused outreach opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to expand awareness of NAMI’s youth programs and services.
• Build positive relationships with schools, libraries, community centers, youth organizations, families, and other community partners.
• Aid in community awareness campaigns addressing bullying, cyberbullying, social media, suicide prevention, and youth mental health.
• Develop youth-friendly outreach materials and social media content in collaboration with youth ambassadors.
• Support efforts to reach underserved populations throughout McHenry County.
• Team Collaboration
• Work collaboratively with the Education & Engagement Manager, Director of Education, Director of Youth Programs, and other agency staff.
• Cook up with presenters, facilitators, volunteers, school personnel, clinicians, and community partners.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
• Contribute ideas that improve youth programming, bullying prevention, community engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Public Health, Communications, or a related field preferred.
• One to two years of relevant experience preferred, including internships, volunteer leadership, youth programming, education, event coordination, nonprofit work, or community engagement.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable presenting to students, educators, families, and community members.
• Ability to build positive relationships with youth while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to respond appropriately to sensitive disclosures and follow established safety and mandated-reporting procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, with the ability to learn databases and other technology platforms.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel throughout McHenry County.
• Ability to pass all required background screenings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with middle or high school students.
• Experience coordinating youth programs, school partnerships, or community events.
• Experience working within a nonprofit organization.
• Experience with bullying prevention, suicide prevention, youth mental health, or social-emotional learning.
• Certification in NAMI Signature Programs or willingness to become certified.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Familiarity with behavioral health and community mental health resources.

Desired Attributes

• Passion for youth mental health education, bullying prevention, and community engagement.
• Friendly, energetic, professional, and relationship-oriented.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Comfortable managing multiple programs and projects simultaneously.
• Confident and engaging public speaker.
• Self-starter who works well independently and collaboratively.
• Willingness to receive feedback, communicate challenges, and ask for support when needed.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive programming.
• Ability to approach sensitive situations with empathy, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Enthusiasm for empowering young people and contributing to a mission-driven organization.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Ability to utilize a computer, telephone, and standard office equipment.
• Ability to travel throughout McHenry County for community events, trainings, and outreach activities.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds of program materials, displays, and event supplies.