MPI Community Behavioral Health Specialist

Metropolitan Family Services•Chicago, IL

10h•$75,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) is seeking a full-time Community Behavioral Health Specialist to join their Metropolitan Peace Initiative (MPI) Team. MFS is leading the Communities Partnering 4 Peace initiative, a framework designed to reduce violence and gang activity through community-driven strategies. This role will involve intervening with high-risk individuals and working with the broader community to transform perceptions and realities. The specialist will empower families to learn, earn, heal, and thrive, continuing MFS's legacy as Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency since 1857.

Requirements

Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university, required.
Two years related post-Masters experience at an intermediate skill level, required.
Must be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or related license, required.
Requires mobility to work with a community-based caseload.
Ability to maintain assigned community and home-based services.
Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Spanish preferred

Responsibilities

Identify, deescalate, and mediate tense situations related to mental health concerns; build trust with diverse individuals and groups; and provide follow-up support after a crisis to promote stabilization and healing.
Engage effectively with community members, local businesses, and high-risk individuals while maintaining professionalism and utilizing trauma-informed approaches.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of incidents, interventions, and referrals while respecting confidentiality and ensuring adherence to professional standards.
Perform comprehensive, in-depth assessments for a variety of clinical services, including psycho-social assessments and intake as assigned.
Provide a full range of case management, counseling, advocacy, educational, and related services to Community Safety and Transit Operations.
Lead the coordination of behavioral health services within the community and transit systems by reviewing complex cases, supporting high-risk crisis responses, ensuring compliance with clinical, ethical, and organizational standards, and implementing strategies to enhance service effectiveness and team performance.
Develop and strengthen partnerships with community stakeholders, behavioral health systems, hospitals, public safety agencies, and leadership to support program expansion, improve continuity of care, and advance collaborative crisis response initiatives across diverse communities.
Collaborate with CPRU team members to identify, de-escalate, and mediate high-tension situations related to mental health concerns; build trust with diverse individuals and groups; and provide post-crisis follow-up support to promote stabilization and healing.
Provide support for MPA.
Provide trainings and facilitation.
Identify and utilize agency and community resources.
Assess community conditions affecting clients to identify resource gaps and problems.
Join or develop groups and coalitions to address community needs.
Recommend financial assistance for clients.
Provide group services as indicated by program need.
Responsible for meeting contractual requirements such as 24-hour crisis coverage.
Represent and interpret programs of agency in the community.
Support and attend "Light in the Night" events.
May serve on regional or agency-wide committees.
May provide clinical guidance and shadowing opportunities for students.
Attend regular meetings: e.g. team, case consultations, individual supervision.
Provide ongoing support, trainings, facilitation and curriculum development.
Establish referral network/linkages with outside agencies for participants and their families.
Take a proactive role in the development of social work services and programming that supports trauma-informed care.
Meet agency expectation for quantity of direct service.
Comply with agency record-keeping expectations.
Work effectively with diverse staff and service population.
Flexible to travel to different neighborhoods of the city.