Behavioral and Mental Health Partnership Specialist

The Behavioral and Mental Health Partnership Specialist is a "relationship builder" and an integral part of the organization's Community Partnership Team, a group of professionals who manage the partnerships of more than 200 agencies, institutions, and individuals that provide services in the areas of the arts, college and career readiness, health, and Behavioral and Mental Health. The team works together to connect no-cost community partner programs to CIS of Chicago partner schools based on the schools' expressed needs and priorities. Together, members of the Community Partnership Team execute a partner training series, monitor the quality of the partner programming, obtain and analyze data points related to student connections, and play supporting roles in a variety of other organizational projects, as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Build positive relationships with community partners and work with them to connect their nocost, high-quality programs to our partner schools while helping to build partners' capacity and increase program impact.

• Connect between 20,000-25,000 students with a variety of programs, delivered by
  community organizations;
• Manage a growing portfolio of approximately 75 community partners (Anti-Bullying,
  Counseling, Cultural Responsiveness Education, Mental Health Education, Social and
  Emotional Learning, and Stress Management); cultivate relationships with established
  CIS of Chicago partners; and proactively develop new partnerships to address key needs of the CIS of Chicago school network;
• Work collaboratively with CIS of Chicago School Partnership Specialists and Student
  Supports Managers to promote and recommend programs for their schools;
• Forge relationships and represent CIS of Chicago at strategic community-based
  coalitions and organizations and other appropriate external partners, including key
  relationships within CPS; staying up-to-date with the CPS initiatives such as the Healing
  Centered Framework;
• Monitor agency connections with schools and adjust support as needed to strengthen
  partner/school relationships through program observations and data analysis, inclusive
  of regular reporting; and
• Work with the team to plan and facilitate trainings and networking events for agency
  partners to build and deepen capacity: identify and vet speakers, assign roles and
  responsibilities, and create evaluation and feedback pathways.

DESIRED SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Demonstrated success and comfort in building relationships proactively through
  multiple modalities, including but not limited to in person, via email, phone call, and
  video conferencing;
• Knowledge of Mental Health and common challenges to healthy development, mental
  health education, and services that can promote the mental wellness of youth. A
  background in Mental Health or social work is preferred, but not required;
• Persuasive, appropriately assertive, and empathic professional communicator;
• Knowledge of, or willing and capable of quickly learning CPS policies for serving
  students;
• Solution-oriented with a lens towards learning, exhibiting motivation to create and
  implement innovative solutions to challenges;
• Detail-oriented, and organized with a commitment to follow-up and follow-through;
• Strong computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
  and video conferencing technology;
• Demonstrates cultural competency by effectively working and communicating with
  people differing in value systems, ethnicity, cultural backgrounds, language capabilities,
  and abilities;
• Enthusiasm for and understanding of mission-driven, trauma-informed, anti-racist work;
  and
• Flexible and capable of working in a fast-paced environment, sometimes needing to turn
  work around quickly.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree with at least three years of relevant work experience
• Advanced degree candidates, particularly in the field of education or youth
  development, preferred
• Experience working with urban public schools and community organizations
• Required to clear the CPS Background Check process including criminal background
  check and eligibility to work in CPS buildings with students
• Must have reliable daily access to a vehicle plus a valid driver's license and proof of
  insurance
• Must have reliable access to remote workspace with internet connection

See full job description for details and organizational information.