Community Engagement Manager

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading peer-directed national organization focusing on the two most prevalent mental health conditions, depression and bipolar disorder, which affect more than 21 million Americans, account for 90% of the nation’s suicides every year, and cost $23 billion in lost workdays and other workplace losses.

DBSA’s peer-based, wellness-oriented, and empowering services and resources are available when people need them, where they need them, and how they need to receive them—online 24/7, in local support groups, in audio and video casts, or in printed materials distributed by DBSA, our chapters, and mental health care facilities across America.

Through more than 600 support groups and nearly 250chapters, DBSA reaches millions of people each year with in-person and online peer support; current, readily understandable information about depression and bipolar disorder; nationally-recognized peer support services training; and empowering tools focused on an integrated approach to wellness.

DBSA is led by and created for individuals living with a mood disorder, and that experience informs everything that we do.

OUR TEAM VALUES

Integrity

• Perform at the highest standards. We strive for best in class.
• Be honest in our interactions and develop trusting relationships.
• Take personal, and where appropriate, team responsibility for results.
• Acknowledge what we don’t know.

Openness

• Demonstrate willingness to continuously learn, grow, and change.
• Celebrate our differences.
• Be present, curious and receptive to new and different ideas and situations.

Mindfulness

• Ask for help and reciprocate help when needed.
• Respect each other’s perspectives, experiences, and sensitivities.
• Be mindful of our individual impact on the work environment.
• Speak with thoughtfulness. We think before we speak.

Collaboration

• Show a willingness to give up personal ownership for the greater good/outcome.
• Work together to foster individual and organizational growth.
• Create an environment where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
• Have a holistic view of the work of the organization.
• Remain flexible to achieve optimal outcomes.

OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Director of Policy and Peer Engagement, the Community Engagement Manager administers the Peer Council program for DBSA participants for whom speaking out and sharing their voice is a crucial component of their wellness toolkit. Other areas of specific responsibility include legislative and advocacy support, representing DBSA in clinical trials/research projects, and consulting on clinician education materials.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Maintain communication and foster relationships with various organizations, including but not limited to:

• DBSA Advocates
• Other patient advocacy organizations
• Coalition partners
• Pharmaceutical and biotech industry partners
• Academic researchers
• Other stakeholders and interested parties

Peer Councils

• Manages recruitment for patient-centered research, focus groups, and peer council requests
• Facilitates safe, respectful, and inclusive environments where peer participants feel heard and empowered
• Coordinates technical and admin for councils including scheduling and data/content capture

CME

• Works with the PPE Director to plan, coordinate, and implement all educational activities with continuing medical education partners
• Reviews educational content for compassionate language and peer interests

Policy and Advocacy

• Identifies/fields inquiries from other mental health organizations, as well as faith-based communities and advocacy organizations that are working toward like-minded objectives
• Develops partnerships with identified organizations to work collectively toward legislation or public agency goals and objectives that advance access to quality mental health care and peer support
• Participates in mental health coalition workgroups and task forces
• Creates and submits comment and support letters for federal and state-level issues, including but not limited to access to quality mental health care and peer support
• Mobilizes the DBSA community of mental health advocates to take action on legislative actions through written and in-person communication
• Collaborates with bench of advocates who are willing to provide testimony and/or speak with the media on how they and/or family member is personally affected by barriers to quality mental health care

Academic Research, Clinical Trials, Learning Health Networks, Special Projects

• Amplifies the peer voice at every stage of a project cycle: grant application, project design, execution and management, and evaluation and dissemination
• Serves on advisory councils and steering committees for academic research, clinical trials, learning health networks, and other special projects
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in public health, social work or other related field preferred.
• 2-5 years of experience in a related field
• Passion for mental health equity and systemic change, and the ability to sensitively connect with peers
• Passionate about helping people with mood disorders. Lived experience, either personally or through a loved one, is a plus.
• Possesses excellent speaking, presentation skills, written and verbal skills
• Passion for education and creating public awareness for systemic change
• Ability to diplomatically navigate stakeholders whose priorities are in conflict or competition with each other

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position with a salary range of $55,000-$69,000 and generous benefits including health, dental, vision, disability, 401K, and life insurance. The position will primarily work standard hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, with flexible start/end times possible. Periodic evening or weekend hours may be required. Currently, this position will require 2 days (Monday & Wednesdays) in the office. The candidate may work the remaining days remotely. This policy may be reviewed and revised.