MPI Crisis Responders (Part-time)

Metropolitan Family Services • Chicago, IL

4d

About The Position

Metropolitan Family Services is hiring a Crisis Responder for its Crisis Prevention Response Unit (CPRU). The role responds to crisis situations, mediates conflicts, and helps prevent violence while building trust with diverse individuals and groups. Responders coordinate with public safety personnel, emergency responders, community partners, local businesses, residents, and organizations, and connect community members with supportive services. The position includes follow-up after crises, team meetings and case reviews, and accurate, confidential documentation of incidents, interventions, and referrals.

This is an hourly position paying $27.18 per hour. Employees must be comfortable riding trains and working on train platforms. They must have open availability for both shifts—11:30 AM–7:30 PM and 7:00 PM–3:00 AM—and be able to work either full shift as needed. The position also requires willingness to work flexible on-call schedules, including evenings, overnight, and weekends, and availability to respond and deploy to an event within 60 minutes. Driving for work in a personally owned vehicle is not required.

The role requires passing screenings and criminal background checks. Candidates must have no pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence. Physical duties include sustained sitting and standing, frequent talking, hearing, and handling or operating objects or controls, and occasional standing, bending, stretching, stooping, kneeling, and crouching. Close visual acuity is required for tasks such as preparing and analyzing data and viewing a computer terminal.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent education.
• At least one year of relevant experience, including crisis intervention, verbal de-escalation, or clinical work in a mental health setting.
• Experience in community outreach, violence prevention, youth development, social services, crisis intervention, or restorative justice programs.
• Pass all screenings and criminal background checks.
• No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence.
• Strong conflict mediation and negotiation skills.
• Basic data entry, documentation, and reporting skills.
• Understanding of community violence dynamics and factors contributing to conflict in urban environments.
• Awareness of local community resources, social services, and support networks.
• Familiarity with public safety systems, restorative justice approaches, and community engagement best practices.
• Effective verbal and nonverbal communication, including active listening and empathy.
• Ability to respond calmly and strategically in high-stress or crisis situations.
• Ability to build relationships and develop trust with diverse populations.
• Problem-solving, situational assessment, and decision-making skills in dynamic environments.
• Ability to remain composed and professional in volatile or high-pressure situations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while coordinating with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion with sensitive information.
• Willingness to work flexible on-call schedules, including evenings, overnight, and weekends.
• Ability to adapt to variable workloads and field-based mobility requirements.
• Availability to respond and deploy to an event within 60 minutes.
• Comfort riding trains and working on train platforms.
• Open availability for both listed shifts and ability to work either full shift as operationally needed.

Nice To Haves

• Training or certification in mediation, de-escalation, or crisis response.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities, particularly Spanish or other languages common in the community.
• Lived experience with challenges related to violence, justice system involvement, or trauma, with the ability to serve as a positive role model.
• Knowledge of local resources such as housing, employment, mental health, and social services.

Responsibilities

• Respond rapidly to crisis situations and de-escalate them.
• Mediate disputes to prevent escalation into violence during large gatherings, civil unrest, and mass shootings.
• Mediate conflicts, de-escalate tense situations, and build trust with diverse individuals and groups, including at-risk youth and gang members.
• Maintain situational awareness in confined, fast-paced environments with continuous public activity.
• Work collaboratively with local businesses, residents, and organizations to promote safety.
• Coordinate with public safety personnel, emergency responders, and community partners to ensure appropriate interventions.
• Identify and monitor potential conflicts and individuals or groups at elevated risk of violence.
• Connect community members to supportive services, including mental health care, housing, employment, and social services.
• Provide follow-up after crises to support healing and reduce the likelihood of retaliation or recurrence.
• Participate in team meetings, case reviews, and debriefings to share insights and improve practice.
• Maintain accurate, confidential documentation of incidents, interventions, and referrals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Employer contributions to HSA accounts: $2,000 for individual coverage and $4,000 for family coverage, prorated to benefits start date
• Free general medicine and behavioral health Teladoc services for all team members
• Ascensus 401(k) plan with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on the first day of eligibility

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED