Community Health Specialist

Chestnut Health Systems™ is seeking a Community Health Specialist to support a special project focused on youth prevention, education, and community engagement.  This position supports a youth substance use prevention program and a youth gambling prevention program. The selected candidate will facilitate a youth gambling prevention curriculum for high school students and assist with planning, organizing, and coordinating a youth substance use prevention program.

The Community Health Specialist III will take a leadership role in mentoring staff and interns, supporting grant and program requirements, and representing assigned projects in community and professional collaborations. The position requires travel to schools and other locations throughout the assigned service area and may include occasional evening or weekend hours based on program needs.

Chestnut Health Systems™ is a leading provider of integrated health care services. Since 1973, Chestnut has grown to more than 800 committed, compassionate employees providing substance use, mental health, and primary care treatment to patients in Illinois and Missouri. We provide fully integrated care for all our patients by combining behavioral health care services with our community-based primary care health centers. Chestnut also conducts research and training throughout the U.S.A.

• Assist with the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of assigned youth and adult programs in collaboration with project teams and supervisors
• Conduct community outreach with youth, families, community members, schools, and stakeholders regarding behavioral health and prevention topics
• Deliver designated Youth Prevention Education curriculum to students using evidence-based approaches and best practices
• Collect, document, and submit program evaluation data accurately and timely
• Assist with developing and maintaining program budgets and independently submit monthly budget reports
• Assist with identifying and preparing applications for additional funding opportunities
• Complete program and grant contract reports accurately and within required timelines
• Serve as a lead in mentoring and training staff and interns
• Participate in and provide leadership within local, state, and national advocacy groups and collaborations related to assigned projects
• Stay current with prevention research and evidence-based practices relevant to assigned programs
• Fulfill agency and funder requirements, including staff development, research monitoring, meetings, committees, and required trainings
• Promote recovery-oriented and trauma-informed practices, including hope, respect, empowerment, health/wellness, and spirituality/connectedness
• Maintain confidentiality and security of organizational, financial, and client information
• Promote Chestnut’s culture of customer service excellence
• Perform other duties as assigned, requested, or negotiated with the supervisor

• Master’s degree in behavioral health, public health, education, or related field with a minimum of two (2) years of related experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, public health, education, or related field with a minimum of five (5) years of related professional experience
• Experience working with youth, program development, and program evaluation required
• Knowledge of prevention theory and research preferred
• Experience with community capacity building, grant writing, and budgeting preferred
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, manage large projects, and collaborate effectively with agency and community partners
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), videoconferencing, and online reporting systems
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Valid driver’s license, private automobile insurance, and insurability required
• Home internet connection required
• Ability to travel to schools and other locations throughout the assigned service area
• Ability to obtain DCFS CANTS Child Abuse Clearance
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings or weekends, based on program and community needs

Are you intrigued by this job but don’t meet every single requirement? Chestnut is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about any of our posted positions but your experience doesn’t line up perfectly, please apply anyway! We’d love to explore the possibilities with you.

Chestnut Health Systems is a leader in the effort to achieve health equity, providing high-quality health and human services in underserved communities. We deliver trauma-informed, fully integrated care by combining behavioral health with community-based primary health care. Chestnut’s research division is nationally recognized for its contribution to evidence-based practices. Our empathic and innovative employees live our mission of making a difference.

EOE – Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. Chestnut welcomes applications from qualified individuals with recovery experience.

The anticipated starting pay for new hires for this position is between $44,400 - $50,575 annual salary. There are several factors taken into consideration in determining base pay, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, skills, education, experience, local market conditions, and internal equity. Check out additional benefits here!