Community Development Internship Jobs in Illinois

JOB DESCRIPTION

SENIOR OUTREACH & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

SUMMARY:
The Senior Outreach and Community Development Coordinator / Safe Place Program Support will work in partnership with parents, residents, youth, businesses, educators, healthcare institutions, law enforcement, and community stakeholders while representing Midwest Youth Services. This position provides leadership in agency outreach efforts, Safe Place program development, and community engagement initiatives.

The Coordinator is responsible for facilitating agency-wide outreach, implementing quarterly program outreach strategies, conducting regular street outreach, and strengthening community partnerships.

This position will work in collaboration with the Director of Programs to support and strengthen the agencys Safe Place continuum, including licensure facilitation, site development, compliance tracking, and ongoing partner engagement.

In addition, this position will supervise and deliver Community Youth Services programming, ensuring program fidelity, quality service delivery, and alignment with agency goals and grant requirements.

The primary goal is to develop and sustain initiatives that promote safer, healthier communities for youth ages 1124 through prevention-focused, trauma-informed, and community-driven strategies that address risk factors contributing to delinquency and violence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Local Collaboration
2. Area Project Board (APB): Assess, solicit, manage, and implement a successful APB, for each funded project, composed of diverse community stakeholders responsible for developing, managing, and coordinating community service programs reflective of the community being served.
3. Community Committee: Maintain a diverse group of community stakeholders, for each funded project, responsible for the planning, coordination, and delivery of community services.
4. Youth Committee: Develop and maintain at least one successful youth committee, for each funded project, with quarterly meetings, engaging youth in planning, strategy, and prevention efforts.
5. Community Outreach and Project Implementation
6. Facilitate and coordinate agency-wide outreach efforts ensuring alignment across programs.
7. Develop and implement quarterly outreach plans to increase community engagement and program visibility.
8. Conduct and coordinate regular street outreach efforts targeting youth and high-risk populations.
9. Provide information, training, and outreach to community partners, schools, law enforcement, businesses, families, and youth.
10. Identify, implement, and manage program activities aligned with objectives and deliverables.
11. Safe Place Continuum Support
12. Work in partnership with the Director of Programs to support the agencys Safe Place continuum.
13. Assist with Safe Place licensure facilitation, including onboarding and compliance requirements.
14. Support tracking and monitoring of Safe Place locations to ensure active participation and visibility.
15. Provide training, communication, and ongoing support to Safe Place partners.
16. Lead recruitment and development of new Safe Place sites.
17. Assist in coordinating Safe Place awareness initiatives and community education efforts.
18. Program Supervision and Support
19. Provide oversight, supervision, and day-to-day management of Community Youth Services (CYS) program staff.
20. Ensure implementation of Community Youth Services program deliverables in alignment with grant requirements and agency standards.
21. Oversee and ensure completion of quarterly reporting and ongoing data collection to track progress and outcomes.
22. Monitor program benchmarks and performance metrics to ensure grant deliverables are achieved.
23. Support staff in planning, coordination, and execution of program activities and community initiatives.
24. Identify program needs, barriers, and opportunities for improvement.
25. Provide coaching, guidance, and support to staff, interns, and volunteers as assigned.

CONFIDENTIALITY:
This position operates separately from crisis response and direct service program delivery. It is expected that all programs remain distinct, and boundaries between outreach, prevention, and direct service functions are maintained at all times.

Confidentiality is required in all aspects of this role. Protected information related to Midwest Youth Services clients must be safeguarded in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies. Client information must remain within its respective program enrollment and may not be shared or accessed across programs without proper authorization and compliance with confidentiality standards.

Failure to maintain confidentiality or uphold program boundaries may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
There is a probationary period of six months with evaluations at three and six months. Continued employment will be based on performance.

APPEARANCE:
This position requires professional dress attire appropriate for community engagement, meetings, and representation of Midwest Youth Services. The Coordinator is expected to maintain a professional presence at all times and will be responsible for participating in professional meetings and discussions with the administrative team.

EDUCATION:
A Bachelors Degree in Social Work or related field; or a Bachelors Degree with relevant experience; or a Masters Degree in a related field. Experience working with youth and trauma-informed care preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGULATIONS:
Must maintain knowledge of applicable Illinois Administrative Codes and program regulations. Must possess a valid drivers license and proof of insurance. Required to attend ongoing trainings related to youth development and trauma.

TENURE:
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory performance, funding availability, and agency need.

SALARY / STATUS:
This position is classified as an exempt, salaried employee. A 40-hour work week is standard; however, flexibility is required to meet program and outreach needs, including occasional non-traditional hours.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:
Performance will be evaluated on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed annually. Evaluation criteria is as follows:

• Successful implementation of Community Youth Services program deliverables and adherence to grant requirements.
• Achievement of program benchmarks, outcomes, and performance metrics.
• Timely and accurate completion of quarterly reports and data collection.
• Effectiveness in supervision and day-to-day management of program staff.
• Quality and consistency of agency outreach efforts, including quarterly outreach plans and street outreach activities.
• Growth, compliance, and engagement of Safe Place sites, including recruitment and partner support.
• Ability to build and maintain strong community partnerships and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated leadership, initiative, and alignment with Midwest Youth Services mission and values.
• Ability to effectively problem solve, including identifying challenges, developing solutions, and making sound decisions in a timely manner.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to collaborate with staff, community partners, and stakeholders in a clear, professional, and respectful manner.
• Ability to manage and de-escalate conflict, addressing confrontation in a calm, professional, and solution-focused way while maintaining positive working relationships.

REPORTS TO:
Director of Programs