Generalist (Education Focus) - Hey Cafe Clubhouse

Company Description: NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a nonprofit organization that provides free education, support services, and advocacy to improve the quality of life of everyone affected by mental health conditions.

Primary Responsibilities/Function:

The goal of the Hey! Café Clubhouse is to provide a safe and inclusive space where members develop and enhance life skills; give and receive support; including peer support, educational, and job-related support; get connected to any needed mental health services; enjoy social and recreational activities; and much more! The Generalist supports all aspects of this vision with a special focus on education-related supports and skill-building.

The Generalist is an active member of the Hey! Café Clubhouse team and actively assists members in developing education and unit responsibilities. These responsibilities include coordinating tutoring activities, supporting members with developing IEPs, and attending IEP meetings as needed. Our generalist support members towards educational goals, including learning about and applying for college and financial aid. Our Generalist conducts extensive outreach and builds and maintains relationships with the community, junior high/middle, high schools, school districts, PTAs, colleges, ICOE, and IVROP in the area. Given our "all-hands-on-deck" approach, our Generalist is cross-trained and may support all other activities in the Clubhouse, as needed. Typical work hours: Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; occasional weekends.

Location: Hey! Café Clubhouse (El Centro, CA) and various community schools and sites.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support overall operations of the Clubhouse.
• Adheres to recovery principles, Clubhouse International model, trauma-informed services, and use of gender affirming language.
• Within 30 days of enrollment, meets with individual Clubhouse members to identify employment and education goals, and updates career profile with member minimum of every six months.
• Maintains and records Clubhouse member "career profile" including job preference, work history, education history, strengths, legal history, and other information pertinent to the member's employment or education goals.
• Maintains a daily log of Clubhouse member contacts.
• Educates Clubhouse members about IEPs, college application processes, and tools for success.
• Works with the Employment Generalist and Member to identify internship/volunteer/job opportunities that may assist the member in discerning which career path is of interest to them, as well as to strengthen their college application.
• Identify and coach members who would like to support others as tutors/mentors.
• Provides coaching, training regarding tools for success, and support for Clubhouse members to succeed in school.
• Will provide vocational reintegration services and supports, including, but not limited to, skill development classes to prepare members for educational environments.
• Conducts educational and psychosocial groups and one-on-one coaching.
• Advocates for Clubhouse members as needed to ensure success in school.
• Builds and maintains relationships with the region's schools, school districts, colleges, teachers, parents, ICOE, IVROP, and related groups.
• Promotes Clubhouse in the community.
• Supports the team with social and recreational activities.
• Collaborates and coordinates support with other Clubhouse team members.
• Attends necessary meetings, workshops, events, and training seminars.
• Other duties as assigned.

Accountability: Reports to the Program Manager.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Minimum Requirements, including linguistic and cultural skills, education, experiences, licenses and certifications:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Experience supporting youth & young adults living with mental health/substance use conditions.
• Experience supporting individuals with educational supports.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, positivity, attention to detail, flexibility, and enjoys working in an ever-changing environment.
• Excellent planning, organizing, problem solving, coordination, and time management skills.
• Natural ability to build and maintain relationships and find common ground with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Imperial County's schools, resources, and service providers.
• Strong positive viewpoint towards individuals with mental health challenges and substance use.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check.
• Must be willing and able to drive personal car and have a satisfactory driving record.
• Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Intermediate knowledge of computer software (Microsoft Office, Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint), Zoom and web navigation.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Reliable and consistent attendance.
• Lived experience of self, or a family member or loved one with behavioral health challenges is strongly preferred.