Community Health Specialist

Chestnut Health Systems Inc; Illinois; On-site; USD 2,617,000 - 2,755,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust benefits

Part-time 30 hrs/wk

Job summary

Chestnut Health Systems is seeking a Community Health Specialist to lead youth prevention and health promotion efforts across Madison and St. Clair County. The 11-month, part-time role involves coordinating programs, evaluating outcomes, and collaborating with schools and community partners.

The position emphasizes trauma-informed, equity-focused practices, data-driven program design, and grant-driven activities, with a starting wage between $19.00–$20.00 per hour.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field with required experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Zoom.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of community-based prevention and health equity.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate community health and prevention programs and curricula.
• Provide leadership and technical assistance to schools and community groups.
• Lead meetings, recruit members, and maintain communications with partners.
• Develop budgets and submit monthly reports.
• Engage stakeholders and analyze needs assessments and evaluations.
• Create and evaluate media campaigns and grant-related materials.
• Identify funding opportunities and prepare grant/contract applications.
• Mentor staff and interns; represent Chestnut in advocacy efforts.

Skills

Public speaking

Verbal and written communication

Community-based prevention

Curriculum development

Driver's license

Travel readiness

Home internet access

Background check clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education/public health or behavioral health

Master’s degree in behavioral health

Tools

Microsoft Office

Zoom

Online reporting systems

Job description

Overview

The Community Health Specialist provides leadership in the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of community-based prevention and health promotion programs. This role partners closely with schools and community organizations to strengthen evidence-based prevention practices, support capacity building, and advance health equity. This part-time position will work 30 hours per week throughout Madison and St. Clair County areas. This is an 11-month position.

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.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate community health and prevention programs, including youth prevention education curricula and other evidence-based initiatives.
• Provide leadership and technical assistance to schools and community groups in implementing evidence-based programs and organizational practices.
• Lead and facilitate meetings, support member recruitment, and maintain communication with schools and community partners.
• Develop and manage program budgets, submitting monthly budget reports to the supervisor.
• Conduct outreach and engagement with community stakeholders, providing data to support collaboration around identified health priorities.
• Design, administer, and analyze needs assessments and program evaluations.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate media campaigns and educational materials in alignment with research findings and grant requirements.
• Identify funding opportunities and coordinate the development and submission of grant and contract applications.
• Prepare and submit timely program and grant reports in accordance with funder and agency requirements.
• Take a lead role in mentoring and training staff and interns.
• Represent Chestnut in local, state, and national advocacy groups and collaborative efforts.
• Fulfill agency and funder responsibilities, including participation in meetings, committees, staff development, and monitoring relevant research.
• Promote trauma-informed, recovery-oriented practices in all interactions, emphasizing hope, empowerment, wellness, respect, and connectedness.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of all organizational and client information.
• Promote Chestnut’s culture of customer service excellence through adherence to behavioral standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, public health or a behavioral health related field with a minimum of two years’ experience; or
• Master’s degree in a behavioral health related field Position requires either a a Master’s degree in a behavioral health related field.
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Zoom and online reporting systems.
• Experience in public speaking with organizational skills and verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of community-based prevention and community organizing, prevention theory and strategies, and substance abuse and related research preferred.
• Understanding of learning styles and curriculum development helpful.
• Valid driver’s license, private automobile insurance and be insurable.
• Position requires ability to travel to schools and other locations in the site plan area and home internet connection.
• Must be able to obtain DCFS CANTS Child Abuse Clearance.

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.

Chestnut offers a new salary structure and robust benefits!

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 $19.00 - $20.00 an hour. 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.