Program Health Specialist
11 days ago
Chicago
Job Description Organizational Overview The Dovetail Project is a family-centered intervention organization serving fathers and families across Chicago. We provide culturally responsive education, workforce development, health and wellness programming, and individualized support to strengthen family stability, advance equity, and promote long-term economic and social well-being. Position Summary The Program Health Specialist is a frontline public health professional responsible for engaging fathers who are experiencing complex and immediate life challenges, including mental health distress, housing instability, unemployment, limited access to healthcare, and unmet basic needs. This role operates at the intersection of direct support, public health programming, and fatherhood engagement. The Specialist provides trauma-informed assessments, delivers health education, coordinates services, and supports program evaluation to strengthen outcomes. This position requires strong emotional intelligence, professionalism, adaptability, and the ability to build trust with fathers who may be disconnected from traditional systems of care. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Crisis Response & Immediate Support • Respond promptly to fathers experiencing emotional distress or urgent social needs, • Conduct trauma-informed assessments to identify immediate risks and needs, • Provide supportive, trauma-informed engagement and connect participants to appropriate licensed or emergency services when necessary, • Connect participants to short-term and long-term resources (mental health services, housing, food access, healthcare, hygiene support), • Coordinate continuity of care with internal staff and external providers Program Implementation & Health Engagement • Facilitate health education, fatherhood development, workforce readiness, and life-skills programming, • Deliver group workshops and one-on-one coaching using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches, • Coordinate guest speakers, community partners, and experiential learning opportunities, • Support father engagement through outreach, trust-building, and retention strategies Outreach, Engagement & Case Management • Conduct community outreach and recruit fathers across Chicago, • Provide individualized case management, including assessments, service planning, referrals, and follow-up, • Build strong relationships with fathers who may be disengaged from traditional systems, • Transport participants to program activities as needed (agency vehicle provided), in accordance with organizational safety policies and business necessity Data, Evaluation & Learning • Maintain accurate case documentation using DAP, GIRP, SOAP, or similar formats, • Apply mixed-methods evaluation, integrating quantitative outcomes and qualitative participant narratives, • Track service utilization, engagement patterns, and program outcomes, • Use data insights to improve program design and service delivery, • Support reporting for funders, leadership, and continuous quality improvement Collaboration & Representation • Build partnerships with health systems, workforce agencies, schools, and community organizations, • Represent the organization at community meetings, events, and professional gatherings, • Support grant reporting, documentation, and program compliance, • Maintain program databases, records, and operational systems, • Ensure adherence to organizational policies and funder requirements Required Qualifications • Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH), Social Work (MSW), or related field, • Minimum 5 years of experience in public health, community-based programming, or human services, • Experience in case management, outreach, facilitation, or program coordination, • Strong understanding of social determinants of health and trauma-informed care, • Experience documenting client interactions and managing program data, • Proficiency with digital tools and data systems, • Valid driver’s license, a motor vehicle record that meets organizational and insurance requirements, and the ability to safely operate an agency vehicle as required for program activities, • Completion of CITI Training or equivalent human-subjects ethics training Preferred Qualifications • Experience working with historically underserved communities, • Background in crisis intervention or behavioral health support, • Experience with program evaluation, grant reporting, or budgeting, • Training in culturally responsive or trauma-informed practice Core Competencies • Crisis response and participant support, • Father engagement and trust-building, • Public health practice and program delivery, • Mixed-methods evaluation and data interpretation, • Case management and advocacy, • Cultural humility and equity-centered practice Compensation & Benefits • Hourly Rate: $30–$38/hour (commensurate with experience, education, and specialization), • Benefits for eligible full-time employees may include health, dental, vision, life insurance, and paid time off, in accordance with organizational policy. Work Schedule & Environment • Standard work schedule: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a regular workweek of up to 35 hours, • Schedule is subject to change based on program needs, • Occasional evening and weekend work may be required, • This position requires in-person work and is not a remote role, • In-person, community-based work across Chicago, • Active field engagement required, • Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation, • Hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek are subject to overtime compensation in accordance with applicable law Equal Employment Opportunity The Dovetail Project is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law. At-Will Employment Statement Employment with The Dovetail Project is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law.