MPI Community Behavioral Health Specialist

Metropolitan Family Services•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Metropolitan Family Services is seeking a full-time Community Behavioral Health Specialist for its Metropolitan Peace Initiative team. The role supports the Communities Partnering 4 Peace framework, which brings together community-driven strategies to reduce violence and gang activity by intervening with individuals at highest risk while working with residents to transform community perceptions and conditions. The position provides behavioral health, clinical, case management, counseling, advocacy, educational, and related services to Community Safety and Transit Operations. The specialist responds to mental-health-related crises in community and transit settings, including trains, platforms, and stations; coordinates behavioral health services; supports high-risk crisis responses; and provides post-crisis follow-up. The role also includes assessment, documentation, referral coordination, community partnership development, training, facilitation, and support for program operations. This position works an overnight schedule with two shifts: 12:00 PM–7:30 PM and 7:00 PM–3:00 AM. Candidates must have open availability for both shifts; no alternative shifts are available. The position also requires on-call availability for one designated week per month, with details discussed during hiring. The role involves travel to different Chicago neighborhoods and mobility to provide community-based and home-based services. The average starting salary is $75,000–$80,000 annually, depending on skills and experience. Higher salary ranges are available for candidates with an LCSW or LCPC.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university.
Two years of related post-master’s experience at an intermediate skill level.
Availability for the fixed overnight schedule of 7:00 PM–3:00 AM and open availability for both listed shifts: 12:00 PM–7:30 PM and 7:00 PM–3:00 AM.
Comfort riding trains and working on train platforms and at transit stations.
Availability for on-call responsibilities for one designated week per month.
Mobility to work with a community-based caseload and ability to maintain assigned community- and home-based services.
Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

Nice To Haves

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or related license.
Bilingual Spanish.

Responsibilities

Identify, de-escalate, and mediate tense situations related to mental health concerns, build trust with diverse individuals and groups, and provide post-crisis follow-up to promote stabilization and healing.
Engage community members, local businesses, and high-risk individuals professionally using trauma-informed approaches.
Maintain timely and accurate documentation of incidents, interventions, and referrals while protecting confidentiality and following professional standards.
Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments, psychosocial assessments, and intakes as assigned.
Provide case management, counseling, advocacy, educational, and related services to Community Safety and Transit Operations.
Coordinate behavioral health services in community and transit systems, including reviewing complex cases, supporting high-risk crisis responses, ensuring compliance with clinical, ethical, and organizational standards, and implementing strategies to improve 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, continuity of care, and collaborative crisis response.
Collaborate with CPRU team members on high-tension situations and post-crisis support.
Provide support for MPA.
Provide trainings and facilitation, and develop curriculum as needed.
Identify and use agency and community resources; assess community conditions and resource gaps affecting clients.
Join or develop groups and coalitions to address community needs; provide group services as indicated by program needs.
Recommend financial assistance for clients.
Meet contractual requirements, including 24-hour crisis coverage.
Represent and interpret agency programs in the community, and support and attend Light in the Night events.
Participate in regional or agency-wide committees as needed.
May provide clinical guidance and shadowing opportunities for students.
Attend team meetings, case consultations, and individual supervision.
Establish referral networks and linkages with outside agencies for participants and their families.
Take a proactive role in developing social work services and programming that supports trauma-informed care.
Meet agency expectations for direct service volume and record keeping.
Work effectively with diverse staff and service populations.
Travel to different neighborhoods of the city and maintain assigned community- and home-based services.
Work the required overnight shifts and fulfill on-call responsibilities, including availability for one designated week per month.