Community Events Specialist

Aspire Chicago - Hillside, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Hybrid - Hillside, IL

About the position

The Community Events Specialist at Aspire Chicago is responsible for launching and coordinating the "Social Club," a program aimed at fostering social connections among individuals with disabilities through engaging events. This role involves planning and executing a variety of activities, ensuring accessibility, and building relationships with community organizations to create a vibrant and inclusive environment for participants.

Responsibilities

• Develop an annual calendar of events, ensuring at least 2 in-person and 2 virtual events per month.
• Coordinate a range of activities, including volunteer opportunities, museum visits, bowling, picnics, and coffee gatherings.
• Build relationships with community organizations and event venues to promote inclusivity and understanding of disabilities.
• Manage logistics such as event scheduling, ticket purchasing, and venue communication to ensure events are accessible and inclusive.
• Promote events through internal channels and community outreach, using platforms like Eventbrite.
• Communicate event details to Social Club members and Aspire Team Members in a timely manner.
• Assist members during events, focusing on de-escalation and crowd management as needed.
• Administer satisfaction surveys to gather feedback and improve service quality.
• Collaborate with event hosts and venues to evaluate the impact of events on inclusivity.
• Work cross-functionally with Aspire Team Members and community partners to promote a cohesive social experience.

Requirements

• Experience in event planning, community outreach, or related fields.
• Experience working with people with disabilities.
• Illinois DHS Direct Support Professional (DSP) certification or ability to complete training within 6 months of hire.
• Valid driver's license with a good driving record.

Nice-to-haves

• Certification in crisis de-escalation and CPR/First Aid.
• Illinois DHS Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) certification.
• PACE driver certification.

Benefits

• 403(b) matching
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Life insurance