Assistant Director of Behavioral Health and Education

Assistant Director of Behavioral Health and Education 

About Bright Star Community Outreach:

Over the course of our proud fifteen-year history, Bright Star Community Outreach (BSCO) has made significant contributions to the renewal of Chicago’s most vulnerable communities as a 501C3 nonprofit organization. Driven by our hope for change in this city and the families that call it home, Bright Star’s presence has been marked by effective programming, social development, and advocacy; particularly in the greater Bronzeville community of Chicago’s south side. Led by founder and CEO, Pastor Chris Harris, Sr., who grew up in the Bronzeville neighborhood where we are currently located, our strategy includes developing impactful community development initiatives aimed at facing our largest societal challenges: violence in our communities, poor economic opportunities, inadequate mental health services, affordable housing and education.These efforts are designed to strengthen local families and communities, as well as leverage our key partnerships with organizations and businesses that share our passion for seeing renewal in Chicago.

About the Behavioral Health and Education Department of BSCO

BSCO’s Behavioral Health and Education Department supports the larger mission of Bright Star Community Outreach which exists to be a hub that addresses challenges in under-resourced, underserved, and underdeveloped communities by utilizing our Trauma and Training and Community Conversations and Collaborations Models. BSCO understands that mental wellness and educational success are deeply interwoven. Both in tandem, lead to better quality of life for children, youth and families.

We are committed to serving the Bronzeville and Greater ChicagoLand areas through comprehensive, culturally relevant behavioral health and education programming. We do this by recognizing that we are the community we serve. Our dedicated staff are members of the communities we serve. Therefore, we aim to reflect the type of care, compassion and commitment to diversity in our work that we desire to both receive and commit to give one another internally. Building bridges of trust through integrity and intent, our goal is to improve mental health, social-emotional learning and academic outcomes in the lives of our surrounding community. It is our hope that the service we provide becomes a positive, life-changing core memory that remains with our participants for years to come. 

Position Overview:

The Assistant Director of Behavioral Health and Education supports the strategic leadership and operational management of the department, working closely with the Director to ensure the delivery of high-quality mental health, wellness, and educational services and programming to the community. This role is instrumental in program development, staff supervision, compliance, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

Program and Service Oversight:

• Support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral health and educational programs.
• Monitor program performance and outcomes to ensure effectiveness and community impact.
• Collaborate with behavioral health and educational teams to integrate trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices.

Staff Supervision and Development:

• Provide direct supervision to program managers, clinicians, instructors, or support staff as assigned.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance evaluations.
• Promote a collaborative, equitable, and mission-driven team culture.

Compliance and Quality Assurance:

• Ensure programs comply with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as funding and licensing requirements.
• Maintain compliance with program standards and support audits or reviews.
• Oversee documentation practices and data systems to ensure accuracy and confidentiality.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Cultivate partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies.
• Represent the organization at meetings, community events, and collaborative initiatives.
• Support fundraising efforts, grant reporting, and proposal development.

Administrative and Strategic Support:

• Assist in budget planning, grant tracking, and resource allocation.
• Analyze service data to inform continuous improvement and strategic planning.
• Act on behalf of the Director when needed and contribute to departmental leadership decisions.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Education, or related field required.

At least 2 years of progressive experience in behavioral health, education, or nonprofit program management preferred.

Clinical licensure (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, etc.) preferred but not required. 

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to mentor a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to be a trusted confidant and thought partner for the Director and executive leadership, maintaining discretion, professionalism, and alignment with organizational values.
• Demonstrated capacity to navigate conflict or disagreements with compassion, clarity, and diplomacy, fostering psychological safety and collaborative problem-solving.
• Proven ability to model effective, ethical, and inclusive leadership for program supervisors and staff, setting a tone of accountability, empathy, and professionalism.
• Ability to be flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of the organization, adapting priorities and approaches as circumstances change.
• Knowledge of behavioral health systems, trauma-informed care, and community-based education models.
• Proficient in program evaluation, data analysis, and reporting.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive service delivery.

Benefits:

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance with a health reimbursement account

(HRA). Optional health savings account or flexible spending account options and supplemental

disability insurance. Company-provided life insurance and supplemental life insurance options

available. Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.

Salary Range: $75,000-$80,000 per year

Application:

For more information or to apply, please contact Dominique Horton at

dhorton@brightstarcommunityoutreach.com. 

Bright Star Community Outreach is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and

are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.