Youth Engagement Specialist
Reports To: Youth Program Coordinator
Hours: Full-Time (40 hours per week)
Location: Mental Health America – Wabash Valley Region, 914 South Street, Lafayette, IN 47901, with regular travel throughout the community and service area
Compensation: $22.00 per hour
Benefits: PTO, Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Paid Holidays, and 403(b) Retirement Plan
About MHA-WVR
Mental Health America – Wabash Valley Region (MHA-WVR) is North Central Indiana’s leading mental health and substance use advocacy organization dedicated to promoting mental wellness, prevention, early intervention, and recovery for all Hoosiers. As a state affiliate of Mental Health America, MHA-WVR advances its mission through education, advocacy, community-based programs, direct services, and public health initiatives, with a strong emphasis on youth, families, and underserved populations.
Position Summary
The Youth Engagement Specialist is responsible for facilitating youth-focused mental health, prevention, education, and early intervention programming throughout MHA-WVR’s service area. Serving as a key representative of the organization, this position engages youth, families, schools, and community partners through the Minds in Motion Youth Mental Health Bus and other community-based initiatives.
The Youth Engagement Specialist plays an integral role in building relationships, delivering impactful programming, supporting outreach efforts, and creating positive experiences that promote resilience, mental wellness, and healthy youth development. This position works closely with the Youth Program Coordinator to ensure programs are delivered effectively, meet grant and organizational requirements, and advance MHA-WVR’s mission of improving mental health outcomes for youth and families.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications.
Program Facilitation and Youth Engagement
- Facilitate mental health, prevention, education, and early intervention programs for youth, families, and community members.
- Deliver programming through the Minds in Motion Youth Mental Health Bus and other community-based initiatives.
- Create engaging, interactive, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for youth participants.
- Foster positive, strengths-based relationships with youth and families.
- Support implementation of evidence-based and evidence-informed youth development and prevention programs.
- Assist with planning, preparation, setup, facilitation, and evaluation of programs and events.
- Collaborate with internal staff to ensure quality program delivery and participant engagement.
- Ensure programming aligns with agency standards, grant requirements, and best practices.
Community Outreach and Partnership Development
- Serve as an ambassador for MHA-WVR throughout the community.
- Represent the organization at schools, community events, resource fairs, presentations, and outreach activities.
- Support outreach initiatives designed to increase awareness of youth mental health resources and services.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with schools, youth-serving organizations, community partners, and stakeholders.
- Assist with mental health awareness campaigns, prevention initiatives, and community engagement activities.
- Promote MHA-WVR programs and resources throughout the service area.
Program Administration and Data Collection
- Maintain accurate participant, attendance, and activity records.
- Assist with data collection, program evaluation, and outcome measurement activities.
- Support grant reporting requirements by ensuring timely and accurate documentation.
- Track outreach activities, community contacts, and program participation metrics.
- Utilize agency databases and Microsoft 365 tools to maintain records and communications.
Transportation and Operational Support
- Safely operate agency-owned vehicles, including the Minds in Motion Youth Mental Health Bus, to support program delivery and community outreach activities.
- Assist with transportation, setup, organization, and maintenance of program materials and equipment.
- Follow agency transportation, safety, and risk-management procedures.
- Maintain a satisfactory driving record throughout employment.
- Support logistical planning and event preparation activities.
Organizational Support
- Participate in staff meetings, supervision sessions, trainings, and professional development activities.
- Support volunteer engagement efforts and assist with volunteer coordination activities as assigned.
- Collaborate with staff across departments to support agency-wide initiatives, events, and strategic priorities.
- Uphold agency policies regarding confidentiality, ethics, professionalism, and participant safety.
- Contribute to a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and growth.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in human services, Social Work, Public Health, Education, Psychology, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
- Minimum one (1) year of experience facilitating youth programs, educational initiatives, community engagement activities, prevention services, or related work. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
- Possess a valid driver's license and maintain a satisfactory driving record.
- Demonstrated passion for youth development, prevention, mental health, and community wellness.
- Experience building positive relationships with youth, families, and community partners.
- Strong facilitation, presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organizational, planning, and time-management abilities.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining effective collaboration within a team environment.
- Ability to engage effectively with diverse populations and community stakeholders.
- Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and adaptability skills.
- Demonstrated professionalism, ethical conduct, and commitment to confidentiality.
- Ability to successfully pass criminal background checks and any required screenings.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
Preferred
- Experience working within schools, youth-serving organizations, nonprofit agencies, or community-based programs.
- Experience facilitating evidence-based prevention, social-emotional learning, mental health, or youth development programs.
- Experience conducting community outreach, public speaking, or stakeholder engagement activities.
- Experience supporting grant-funded programs and reporting requirements.
- Experience operating large vehicles, mobile outreach units, trailers, or buses (CDL not required).
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift, carry, move, and transport materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout the workday.
- Ability to set up and break down program materials, displays, and outreach equipment.
- Ability to safely enter, exit, and operate agency vehicles, including the Minds in Motion Youth Mental Health Bus.
- Ability to travel regularly throughout the service area.
Working Conditions
This position requires frequent travel throughout MHA-WVR’s service area and work in a variety of settings including schools, community centers, healthcare facilities, outdoor events, and other community locations. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required to support programming, outreach activities, and special events.
The Youth Engagement Specialist plays a critical role in expanding access to youth mental health education, prevention services, and community-based supports while helping create positive outcomes for youth, families, and communities throughout North Central Indiana.
Pay: $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
