Youth Education and Engagement Coordinator

Published: 6/14/2022

Job Description

Youth Education & Engagement Coordinator

Location: Crystal Lake, IL
Reports To: Education & Engagement Manager
Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Hourly Rate: $20 - $25 / hour, depending on experience
Start Date: October 1, 2026

About NAMI McHenry County

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI McHenry County provides free mental health support, education, advocacy, and community-based services throughout McHenry County.

Youth education is an important part of NAMI's mission. Through school-based programming, suicide prevention training, youth leadership initiatives, public presentations, and community outreach, NAMI McHenry County provides young people and families with life-changing mental health education, support, and resources.

Position Summary

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.

This position is ideal for an organized, energetic professional who enjoys working with youth and individuals who work with youth, public speaking, coordinating programs, building community partnerships, and making an impact through bullying prevention and mental health education.

Note: this is a grant funded role from 10/1/26 through 6/30/27 with the potential for continued renewal.

Essential 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.
Coordinate workshops addressing bullying, cyberbullying, social media, mental health, safe bystander intervention, help-seeking, and available resources.
Assist with developing presentations, facilitator guides, student materials, and outreach resources.
Work 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.
Coordinate 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.
Work closely with the licensed clinician responsible for facilitating youth support groups and the trained NAMI facilitators responsible for parent support groups.
Conduct 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.

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.
Assist with 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.

Program Administration and Data Management

Maintain accurate records for youth programming, participation, outreach activities, and outcomes.
Enter attendance, demographic information, survey results, program completion, and other required data into organizational databases.
Monitor progress toward program and grant goals.
Assist with 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.

Team Collaboration

Work collaboratively with the Education & Engagement Manager, Director of Education, Director of Youth Programs, and other agency staff.
Coordinate 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.

Required 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.
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