Job Description

First Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services

About the Johnson Administration:

The Johnson Administration, under the leadership of Mayor Brandon Johnson, is committed to building a better, stronger, and safer Chicago where every resident and every community has access to tools and resources that enable them to thrive. Since being sworn in as the 57th mayor on May 15, 2023, Mayor Johnson has reopened mental health clinics and expanded mental health services citywide, employed nearly 28,000 young people this summer and invested nearly $80 million into youth engagement in 2024, created a place-based people-drive plan for community safety that is showing promise in downward trends in every indicator, and concentrated investments in neighborhoods experiencing high rates of violence. The administration’s first year marked a landmark $1.25 billion investment in neighborhood and economic development, substantial support for building out the affordable housing continuum while removing bureaucracy, eliminated the subminimum tipped wage, and the enactment of the most expansive paid leave statute in the country.

Mayor Johnson’s administration is committed to addressing housing accessibility and homelessness, increasing access to and expanding mental health services, improving public safety by tackling the root causes of crime, and prioritizing youth employment and engagement. With a vision of safety, solidarity, and prosperity, the Mayor's Office continues to work tirelessly to create a city where every Chicagoan can thrive.

About the Opportunity:

The First Deputy Mayor of Human Services is responsible for supporting the Mayor’s strategic priorities relating to the City of Chicago’s social service ecosystem – including public health, workforce, and safety net programs for our most vulnerable citizens. The First Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services will liaison between the Mayor’s Office and human services department/agencies and interact with key stakeholders across Chicago.

The First Deputy Mayor for Human Services core responsibilities include:

• Oversee key priorities of the Johnson administration including, but not limited to Treatment not Trauma and workforce programs.
• Work with designated portfolio of departments and agencies – DFSS (outside of youth-related initiatives), CDPH, MOPD, and CCWP and other key constituencies such as delegate agencies to execute critical priorities
• Collaborate with community as critical partners to ensure policies and programs are reflective of their needs and are effective in delivering results
• Help troubleshoot emerging issues, crises, or events as they arise, by direction of the Deputy Mayor.
• Advise the Deputy Mayor on policy recommendations and innovative programs that could improve the outcomes and access to key human services, especially those affecting Chicago’s most vulnerable citizens.
• Manage staff on Education and Human Services team and serve on the leadership team alongside the First Deputy Mayor of Education and Youth Services
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

The First Deputy Mayor for Human Services will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

• Expertise: Rooted in a deep understanding of and experience with public health, workforce, and social services, serve as subject matter expert on all human services related policy and practices; experience in government a plus
• Relational: Able to build deep and collaborative relationships with a wide range of constituents and officials, including city employees, elected officials, civic leaders, community organizations and service providers, delegate agencies, and private sector partners.
• Systems Thinker and Problem Solver: Creative, confident, and collaborative problem solver who is able to ask questions, offer solutions, and build consensus and agreement in fast-paced, high-intensity situations.
• Manager: Experienced people manager that successfully balances accountability with coaching, motivating, and leading the team.
• Leadership: Excellent communication, organizational, political, and managerial skills. Respected and experienced leader who understands and applies an equity lens to working with diverse populations and communities and building coalitions.
• Values: Passionate about the City of Chicago, particularly a strong advocate for working people and lower-income communities of color.

Anticipated Salary: $136,704

Deadline to Apply: April 18, 2025

To Apply: E-Mail resume/CV to: danielle.blick@cityofchicago.org

Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits for eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Chicago employees here .

The City of Chicago values a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. The City of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage candidates from all races, religions, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and ages, as well as veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply.

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