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Web/IT Intern
REPORTS TO: Director of Programs

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the nation's largest patient-directed, illness-specific organization. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, DBSA has a nationwide grassroots network of chapters and support groups. It is governed by a 15-member board of directors and guided by a 65-member Scientific Advisory Board composed of the leading researchers and clinicians in the field of mood disorders.

OUR MISSION

DBSA's mission is to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders by:

• Improving recognition, early detection, and diagnosis of mood disorders as treatable medical illnesses
• Helping people successfully manage their disease
• Working with people with mood disorders, families and health care professionals to improve care
• Expanding the ability of people to receive treatment
• Advancing research to improve mood disorder treatment options
• Increasing acceptance and understanding of mood disorders so that the rights of people with mood disorders are protected

OUR CORE VALUES

Working for DBSA is not just a job - we touch lives every day. Employees should strive to achieve and fulfill the following values every day:

• Having a commitment to our mission statement.
• Meeting the elements of our mission by identifying the needs of our constituents through active listening and observation.

• Serving the needs of our constituents, especially their need for compassionate, prompt and confidential response.

• Being an active partner with consumers and within the mental health care advocacy community.

• Operating with the highest ethical standards in business practice.

• Honoring our supporters' trust by allocating all contributions prudently and efficiently, regardless of size.

• Approaching our jobs with a strong work ethic; addressing all opportunities with enthusiasm and professionalism, while embracing risk taking, adapting to change and using our creativity to achieve top performance.

• Working as a team. We will reach our goals only if we value the contributions of our fellow employees and respect the efforts of everyone on our team.

• Fostering a work environment that supports, respects and encourages diversity and free expression of ideas.

• Recognizing the need for personal growth and making work fun.

POSITION SUMMARY

The web/IT intern will assist with the maintenance of DBSA's website and assist with the implementation of and future enhancements that are designed to increase site functionality. The intern will also utilize specific strategies to enhance website traffic and increase contact with DBSA constituents, including seeking out and coordinating logical web links and maintaining constituent databases.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with the re-launch of DBSA's website to make it more user-friendly and to fully utilize DBSA's new website platform and tools
• Update and maintain DBSA electronic constituent database and synchronization with off-line DBSA CRM databases
• Assist with ongoing maintenance and revisions to website content, navigation and graphics
• Monitor and maintain standards and quality throughout DBSA's 600+ page website so that all information is accurate and easily accessible
• Work with the Director of Programs to implement targeted department-specific website programming needs
• Work with e-marketing software to build html/plain text emails
• Research and implement strategies to increase web traffic to the DBSA webite through multiple methods, including seeking out and coordinate logical links from other sites to DBSA's site
• Potentially interact with outside service providers to enhance and maintain DBSA's position on search engines

These describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by a person in this position.

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

Internal: Report to the Director of Programs and work with DBSA staff on a variety of projects.
External: Interact with DBSA Web host and IT consultants.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience: Any combination of education or experience providing the required skills and knowledge for successful performance would qualify. Typical qualifications include:

1. Two years IT or related educational experience
3. Successful web design experience
4. Experience working in both html and WYSIWYG environments
5. Superior Computer skills, including strong Microsoft Word and Excel
6. Experience with CRM databases a plus
7. Personal experience with depression or bipolar disorder preferred but not necessary

Knowledge: Modern principles, practices and methods of web design and maintenance.

Skills: Strong technological web-based skills are a requirement. Must be able to work effectively with others in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment. Healthy self-esteem, an open-minded attitude, and ability to exhibit patience and flexibility. Excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work well under pressure required.

This is a full time non-paying internship located in Chicago, IL. Preferably 4-6 month commitment. Please send your resume to poneill@dbsalliance.org for review. No phone calls please.