This position maintains primary responsibility for Response for Teens’ Leadership Development programming, including program development, marketing, logistics, and student follow-up.  This person will also provide direct educational programming and services to teens, pre-teens, and young adults in schools and community organizations in the Chicago suburban metropolitan regions, with a focus on substance misuse prevention.  Other core education topics include sexually-inclusive comprehensive sex education, developing and maintaining healthy relationships, avoiding teen dating violence, and mental wellness.

Responsibilities

Programming

• Lead program development and design of Response’s signature Leadership Development programs including Operation Snowball; Hearts, Minds, Heavy Breathing; and other initiatives.
• Work closely with Community Education colleagues to plan and lead weekly/monthly meetings.
• Plan for and coordinate Operation Snowball weekend and other Leadership Development programs’ arrangements and logistics.
• Plan and implement marketing and outreach activities with local referral sources, e.g., educational institutions, camps, community agencies, and religious organizations.
• Work toward expanding Leadership Development initiatives in size and scope.
• Establish appropriate relationships with teens through structured programs and community outreach activities.
• Plan, implement, provide guidance and support to youth leadership groups.

Substance Misuse

• In close collaboration with Community Education Curriculum Coordinator, update, revise and manage the Partners in Prevention (PIP) curriculum.
• Stay abreast of best practices in youth substance misuse and education.
• Assure staff are trained in PIP delivery.
• Serve as lead PIP presenter.
• Schedule PIP programming in synagogues and parochial schools.

Education

• Teach interactive, comprehensive health prevention and promotion. Core content includes sex education and healthy relationship topics including discussions on methods of protection and contraceptives in large and small group settings.
• Present trainings to adult audiences including parents and professionals.
• Establish and maintain positive, professional relationships with personnel in organizations served by Response programming.

Program Support

• Collaborate closely with other Community Education team coordinators.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings and supervision.
• Collaborate with other agency personnel, supervisor, appropriate specialists or consultants.
• Participate in agency professional development programs, professional group seminars, committees or conferences to increase professional knowledge.
• Perform record keeping functions and other administrative duties as required by the Agency.
• Represent JCFS and Response for Teens and its programs in a positive manner to both internal and external contacts.
• May supervise or co-supervise undergraduate interns.  
• Contribute to social media content.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program or relevant work experience.
• Experience in a substance misuse setting or in teaching about substance misuse in community settings.
• One or more years of experience working directly with adolescents.
• Experience presenting and/or training to groups preferred.
• Flexible schedule as evening and weekend hours will occur based on program and client needs.
• As this position requires visits to locations which may or may not be accessible by public transportation, must be able to drive, have a valid driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and access to a reliable vehicle to travel in the Chicago metropolitan area.

New hires would need to be fully vaccinated with 1 or 2 doses and booster and provide their card upon hire OR begin receiving the booster within 2 weeks of being hired and participate in weekly COVID testing until fully vaccinated OR provide documentation for an ADA or religious exemption and participate in weekly COVID testing. 

JCFS Chicago offers an array of benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Wellness, Paid sick and vacation time, Agency holidays, Pension, 403(b), Flexible Spending Plans, and Life Insurance.

Please visit us at http://www.jcfs.org

JCFS Chicago is committed to serving the needs of the diverse Chicago metropolitan area. Accredited by COA, Charter member of CWLA, Licensed by DCFS

JCFS Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer: disability/veteran JCFS provides a reasonable accommodation to those who need assistance in completing this application