Program Coordinator

Steel Smiling, an “Organization-in-Residence” of Neighborhood Allies

Position: Program Coordinator

Status: Full-Time; exempt

Reports to: Director of Operations

Work Location: Hybrid (in-office 1 day a week); Remote 4 days or as schedule permits; evening/weekend hours as needed.

OVERVIEW:

Neighborhood Allies is a leading community and economic development organization in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We are dedicated to engaging Pittsburgh area residents and organizations with innovative tools that expand opportunity for transformative community change. We are committed to improving the social and physical infrastructures of under-resourced and under-served communities. Our North Star Goal is to expand resources to accelerate, scale, and sustain the work of our community partners to create healthy neighborhoods of opportunity and move 100,000 low-to-moderate income Pittsburghers up the socio-economic ladder.

As a multi-faceted community development organization, we support people and organizations by providing access and “onramps” to strategic resources, connect community builders together to forge stronger networks and collaborations, and impact the community by co-creating solutions to long-term social problems. One of the “co-created solutions” referenced above is the innovative pilot partnership we have established with Steel Smiling, our “Organization-in-Residence (OIR)” partner. Under this model, Steel Smiling has chosen to function as a “program of” Neighborhood Allies for a fixed term to grow organizational capacity.

Steel Smiling’s specific focus is to bridge the gap between Black people and mental health support through education, advocacy, and awareness. We are working to expose every Black adult in Allegheny County to a positive mental health experience that improves their quality of life. Our programs include Beams to Bridges (Education and Advocacy training program) and Steel Healing (Black Mental Health Fund and Peer Support Services).

JOB SUMMARY:

We are seeking a detailed-oriented and organized Program Coordinator to support our efforts in storytelling and community building for Black mental health in Pittsburgh. This position will play a key role in the early stages of our Asset Map Project, which aims to highlight and connect mental health resources, stories, community members and leaders within the Black community. This position will also play a supportive role in storytelling and coordination of Steel Smiling’s 10-year Anniversary and core programs (Steel Healing and Beams to Bridges).

KEY RESPONSIBLITIES:

Research and Data Collection: Conduct comprehensive research to identify mental health resources, services, and initiatives that serve the Black community in Pittsburgh. This will involve reaching out to mental health professionals, community organizations, local clinics, advocacy groups, and others.

Community Collaboration: Engage with community stakeholders to ensure the asset map is comprehensive, culturally relevant, and inclusive of all mental health resources; especially those that are underrepresented or not widely known.

Program Strategy & Timeline: Work with the Operations Director, team, and consultants to develop and track project timelines, goals, and deliverables. Ensure all projects are completed in a timely and organized manner.

Outreach and Relationship Building: Work directly with community members, leaders, and organizations to build strong partnerships, trust, and alignment with stakeholder needs, preferences, and goals.

Storytelling & Testimonial Collection: Coordinate efforts to gather personal stories, testimonials, and narratives related to mental health, wellness, and healing from community members. Integrate these stories into the asset map to highlight both resources and lived experiences.

Focus Groups and Community Events: Coordinate focus groups, town halls, and workshops where individuals can share their feedback on the asset map and contribute to its development. Create spaces for open dialogue around mental health and wellness in the Black community.

Culturally Relevant Outreach: Ensure all outreach materials, events, and communications are culturally relevant and accessible to a diverse range of people in the Black community; including those with different lived experiences and needs.

Promotional Materials & Communication: Assist in the creation of promotional materials (e.g., flyers, brochures, social media posts) to raise awareness about the asset map project and its resources. Share updates and highlights with the community through newsletters, social media, and other communication channels.

Community Awareness & Advocacy: Advocate for increased access to mental health resources in the Black community, ensuring that the asset map is used as a tool to address gaps and advocate for policy change, funding, and resource allocation.

Impact Reporting: Collect and analyze data to assess the impact of the asset map and its effectiveness in increasing awareness and access to Black mental health resources in Pittsburgh.

Progress Reports: Assist in preparing reports on the project’s progress, challenges, and outcomes for internal stakeholders, funders, and community partners.

Collaborative Work: Collaborate with the program manager, team members, and community partners to align the asset map project with broader organizational goals and strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree in social work or mental health related field, psychology, social work, public health, health education preferred, or Bachelor’s degree in the above-mentioned fields with a minimum of 5 years of work experience.

Candidates with a strong record of accomplishments and/or extensive experience in a similar field may be considered, regardless of formal degree. Examples: those with communications and storytelling experience, particularly around health education or community engagement; or those with strong Human Center Design and facilitation experience; or those with lived experience of mental health healing and recovery are also encouraged to apply.

Proven excellence in storytelling, communications, and data collection/analysis, preferably within the nonprofit sector or mental health field.

High level of understanding and knowledge of the local mental health system resources and programs.

Strong project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail, and the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear, compelling manner.

Experience with data collection and analysis, including proficiency with relevant tools and platforms.

Knowledge of issues related to Black mental health, cultural competence, and a sensitivity to diverse perspectives and experiences.

Lived experience of mental illness, wellness, and healing is a plus.

Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively in a team environment and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Values for social justice, equity, and mental health advocacy.

COMPETENCIES:

Cultural Competence: Respects and works well with people of all backgrounds. Understands and invites diverse perspectives to the table and is sensitive to group differences. Views diversity as an opportunity. Challenges bias and intolerance.

Program Management: Sets and adheres to deadlines. Exhibits strong planning and organizational skills and demonstrates an ability to collaborate well with others.

Person-Centered Approach: A belief in the inherent worth of all people, their potential, and their capacity for change. Respects the autonomy, self-determination, and decision-making of community members, partners, and other stakeholders. Avoids prescriptive or paternalistic approaches and respects the need for a plurality of tactics and styles.

Systems-Thinking: Ability to understand the micro, mezzo, and macro implications of the work. Possesses an understanding of the traditional mental health system and its intersections with other cultural systems/institutions. Think critically about paradigms and change-at-scale.

SALARY:

Demonstrating our dedication to equitable compensation, the salary range for this position is $55,000 to $65,000, enabling us to customize offers based on individual experience. This underscores our commitment to embracing diverse skill sets and talents. We also provide an exceptional benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, access to Flexible Spending Accounts, generous and flexible PTO, 10 paid holidays, and professional development opportunities.

TO APPLY:

Please send the following:

1. Cover Letter

2. Resume

3. Optional: Writing Samples

Applications will be accepted via email only. Application materials should be submitted to info@steelsmilingpgh.org with “Program Coordinator” as the subject.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

No phone calls please.

Neighborhood Allies and Steel Smiling are equal opportunity employers, hiring and promoting staff and providing equity training to individuals without regard to race, creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, or physical ability.

We do not discriminate against Race, Ethnicity, Religious Belief, Gender, Gender Identity or Expression, Age, Disability, Sexual Orientation, Military/Veteran Status, Color, National Origin, Creed, genetic information, family responsibilities, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.