Project Associate - Prevention
Kenneth Young Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dedicated to providing comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services to individuals of all walks of life. Located in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, we offer a wide range of services including outpatient therapeutic care, recovery-oriented support, community prevention, LGBTQ+ outreach, older adult services, and crisis intervention. Our team welcomes and celebrates unique perspectives and represents the diversity and vitality of our local communities. Join our team to grow in your career while building stronger, healthier communities.
Kenneth Young Center offers a robust benefit package that is highly competitive to the market and offers all full-time employees the following:
- 403(b) plan with organizational matching
- Medical Insurance (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois - BCBS)
- Dental (BCBS), and Vision Insurance (BCBS) with low employee premiums
- Long Term and Short Term Disability (BCBS), no cost to employee
- Flexible Spending Account (with annual rollover)
- Basic life insurance (50k) paid for by the organization and option for additional voluntary coverage for self, spouse, or dependents (BCBS)
- Incentive program with potential for quarterly bonuses
- Opportunity for annual bonus and salary increase (discretionary based on annual KYC financial audit)
- Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
To further promote an active and healthy work/ life balance, KYC also offers a generous amount of paid time off and staff holidays. - 4 weeks of Paid Time Off (With increases based on seniority)
- 8 Paid Organization-Wide Holidays
- 3 Personal Floating Holidays annually
Job Scope: KYC’s Prevention Division seeks an outgoing, energetic individual who enjoys working with youth and advocates for culturally relevant LGBTQ+, BIPOC-centered youth programs, community-based programming, and youth leadership development projects. Must thrive working in a highly participatory team environment, and be in the community promoting the KYC’s services.
Programs address populations affected by gambling to provide outreach to the community to expand education and public awareness regarding gambling disorder and available services for individuals and families impacted by the disorder. Includes providing prevention services to youth and/or adults, especially in identified marginalized communities.
The position primarily entails planning and implementing strategies to decrease and prevent problem gambling, conducting educational workshops and presentations, conducting community outreach at community health fairs and festivals, casinos, implementing in-person and online evidence-based curriculum or best practice programs, and creating content and resources for newsletters and social media. The position is grant-funded and is subject to the availability of funds from the state of Illinois.
The position is not a work-from-home position. A DCFS background check must be cleared to confirm a job offer for this position. Reliable, insured transportation is necessary for community outreach, presentations, meetings, and community engagement. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where objectives may pivot due to unforeseen circumstances.
Work Location: 650 E. Algonquin Road, Suite 104, Schaumburg, IL
Service Implementation Area: Illinois
Primary Responsibilities - Focus prevention services on positive youth development programming as assigned by the supervisor.
- Conduct outreach in the community in accordance with the work plan and supervisors guidance.
- Work collaboratively within a team to utilize SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework process to plan and implement evidence-based and best-practice strategies in schools and community settings according to the annual work plan.
- Work collaboratively with various community sectors, Youth Committees, Community Committees, and Area Project Boards, as determined by program requirements and community needs.
- Research and develop/health promotion messages based on grant deliverables.
- Plan, create, facilitate, and evaluate ongoing prevention activities with program participants.
- Create and deliver workshops and training on Gambling Awareness topics.
- Promote the Gambling Disorder screening tool when conducting outreach.
- Implement and evaluate evidence-based curriculum approved by the funder.
- Promote State-design gambling prevention and helpline materials when conducting outreach (community events, presentations, etc.).
- Accurately collect quantitative and qualitative data for reports and other documents required by KYC or the funder.
- Attending mandated training and workshops.
- Meet with a supervisor as scheduled.
- Participate in required and supplemental professional development opportunities.
- Follow best practices as defined by the project’s funder.
- In compliance with grant rules, proactively plan and collaborate in all community efforts with other division projects with shared objectives for greater reach.
- Participate in agency-wide meetings.
- Other duties as assigned.
Work Environment - While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in a shared office setting and routinely uses standard office equipment.
- Travel between offices and meetings outside Illinois and to other locations in the community will happen regularly.
- At times, attending meetings and events in the evening and on weekends will be necessary. Approximately one weekend day and four evenings a month.
Travel Requirements - Have a valid driver’s license, own vehicle, and proof of insurance.
- While performing the duties of this position, the employee will travel by automobile and is exposed to changing weather and road conditions.
- The employee must travel by personal automobile to and from Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Hanover Park, and Elk Grove Township office locations several times monthly and occasional meetings/training in and around KYC’s catchment area. Mileage will be reimbursed according to KYC’s policy.
- The employee is required to travel to statewide meetings and training courses in Chicago, Springfield, Bloomington, or Joliet (sometimes requiring overnight travel).
- Some out-of-state travel to national training may be required.
- The employee must be able to transport youth or clients safely in their vehicle or KYC-rented vehicle as needed.
Minimum Position Requirements - A bachelor's degree in social services, education, related field, or relevant work/life experience is desired.
- Experience in substance use and delinquency prevention fields preferred.
- 2 year experience working with young people (ages 11-24) preferred.
- Experience using Microsoft Office and Google Drive.
Schedule - Non-Exempt, Full-Time, hourly, 37.5 hours per week
- Ability to work beyond traditional working hours and schedules, including evenings and weekends.
Kenneth Young Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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