The Program and Outreach Coordinator is responsible for directing and overseeing the educational initiatives and community outreach strategies of NAMI Northern Illinois. This position manages the implementation of core programs, lead community engagement initiatives, administers the full volunteer lifecycle, including recruitment, training, and retention, and ensures operational compliance through data tracking and reporting. A successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional organizational and communication skills, maintaining strategic partnerships and executing community events that advance the agency's mission to support and educate individuals and families affected by mental illness.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
- Develop and execute targeted outreach to attract a diverse pool of volunteers across Northern Illinois.
- Manage the intake process, including reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and ensuring all confidentiality agreements are properly executed.
- Match volunteers with appropriate roles based on their lived experiences, personal skills, and the specific needs of NAMI NI programs.
- Cultivate a supportive volunteer culture by organizing appreciation events, recognition initiatives, and routine check-ins to prevent burnout.
- Create and distribute consistent communications, such as volunteer newsletters or email updates, to keep advocates informed and connected to the mission.
- Address volunteer questions, provide ongoing mentorship, and collect feedback to continuously improve the volunteer experience.
2. Program Organization & Implementation
- Oversee the scheduling, outreach logistics, and daily operations of all NAMI Northern Illinois (NAMI NI) educational courses and support groups.
- Manage training session pipeline and applications for program leaders, facilitators, and volunteers to ensure high-quality and consistent program delivery across the community
- Manage the successful rollout and ongoing execution of core offerings.
- Collaborate with leadership and community partners to identify local mental health needs and assist in the strategic design of new initiatives.
3. Data Management and Reporting
- Accurately input and maintain participant attendance and program schedules in organizational databases, including NAMI 360/720
- Generate detailed monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to support board meetings, stakeholder updates, and grant applications.
- Track participant demographics and program evaluation scores to measure the effectiveness and reach of NAMI NI services.
- Ensure all data collection and storage procedures strictly adhere to confidentiality guidelines and organizational privacy policies.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, implement, and evaluate community outreach programs that align with organizational goals and community needs.
- Manage volunteer recruitment, training, supervision, and retention to ensure effective program delivery.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, local organizations, schools, and stakeholders to foster collaboration.
- Lead public speaking engagements at community events, health fairs, and workshops to promote services and initiatives.
- Coordinate social media campaigns and marketing efforts to increase awareness of programs and events across multiple platforms.
- Collect and analyze data related to program participation, outreach effectiveness, and community feedback to inform continuous improvement.
- Oversee administrative tasks including scheduling, reporting, client communication, and maintaining accurate records of activities.
Education & Experience:
Qualifications and Skills:
Required Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Lived experience of mental health care
- Experience in volunteer management, community outreach, or grassroots organizing with a focus on underserved populations
- Experience leading community building initiatives
- Experience with data collection and evaluation
- Knowledge of issues facing individuals living with mental illness and their families in the state of Illinois
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong supervisory skills with the ability to motivate teams and foster a collaborative environment
- Excellent public speaking skills with experience engaging diverse audiences in culturally sensitive context
- Proficiency in social media management tools, data collection software, and basic marketing techniques
- Knowledge of working with culturally diverse communities and experience in community engagement initiatives; Bilingual abilities are highly valued
- Experience working with youth
Core Competencies:
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Strong leadership and time management skills
- Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail
- Ability to facilitate large groups
- Ability to coordinate and conduct meetings, trainings, and presentations
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Schedule: 40 hrs/week; Non-exempt; some nights and/or weekends
Salary: $20/hr
Working Conditions:
- Ability to work independently and be self-motivated
- Ability to work some evenings and some weekends if program deems it necessary
- Ability to travel in-state, have access to reliable transportation for work
- Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 lbs).
- Occasional prolonged, extensive, or considerable sitting/standing/walking.
- Occasionally lifts supplies/equipment. Manual dexterity and mobility.
- Occasional reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching.
Benefits:
- Health Insurance
- Vision & Dental Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Life Insurance
- PTO
- 401K
Position is based out of Winnebago County, Illinois and is partially grant-funded.
Company Values: This role personally supports individuals and families living with mental illness through support, education, advocacy, and hope. We emphasize wellness and independence in our clients. As a member of a small staff, each employee is important and has a great impact on the overall office operation.
The above examples are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed in this position. The omission of specific statements or duties does not exclude them from this position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Requirements are representative of the minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitude to perform each duty proficiently.
This post does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at will employment relationship.
NAMI Northern Illinois is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
This statement applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internship.
NAMI Northern Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of this employment process, please contact us to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
Join us as a Program & Outreach Coordinator to empower communities through innovative programs and meaningful connections! Your leadership will inspire positive change while helping us build healthier, more engaged neighborhoods locally.
Pay: From $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
