• Job Description

  Req#: VPCST004868

  If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word, COMMUNITY! Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do.

  Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company’s bottom line? Then we’d love to hear from you!

  We are currently looking to fill a VP-CST Youth Community Behavioral Health Specialist role at our Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA) office.

  SALARY: The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $70,000 and $78,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.

  ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Performs comprehensive, in-depth psycho-social assessments and intakes to determine client needs.
  • Provides a full range of case management, counseling, advocacy, and educational services to VP-CST participants.
  • Identifies and utilizes internal agency and external community resources to meet client needs.
  • Assesses broader community conditions impacting clients to identify systemic issues and resource gaps.
  • Provides group-based services as indicated by program needs.
  • May be responsible for meeting contractual obligations such as 24-hour crisis coverage.
  • Represents and interprets agency programs to the community, fostering collaboration and partnership.
  • Supports and attends community events, including initiatives to increase safety and community cohesion.
  • May serve on regional or agency-wide committees to advance program or agency goals.
  • Establishes and maintains a strong referral network with outside agencies to ensure continuity of care for participants and their families.
  • Takes a proactive role in the development and enhancement of services and programming that integrate trauma-informed care principles.
  • Meets agency expectations for quantity and quality of direct service delivery.
  • Completes all required agency documentation and record-keeping in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Works effectively and respectfully with a diverse staff and participant population.
  • Works as part of a team providing services to at-promise youth ages 14-21 who have been exposed to community violence and/or are disengaged from school.
  • Ensures fidelity to the VP-CST model for youth, maintaining a maximum 18:1 youth-to-staff ratio.
  • Provides specialized engagement, advocacy, and coordination of care tailored to youth developmental needs.
  • May require additional training or certification in youth development, restorative justice, or mentoring as determined by the specific grant or funding source.
  • Other duties as assigned.

  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

  • Knowledge of clinical assessment, case management, and evidence-informed behavioral health interventions.
  • Strong understanding of trauma and its impact on individuals and communities.
  • Skill in developing trusting, respectful relationships with participants and collaborating professionals.
  • Ability to maintain consistent community- and school-based services, often in partnership with outreach staff and other community providers.
  • Effective problem-solving, advocacy, and conflict resolution skills.
  • Ability to meet deadlines, manage time effectively, and maintain accurate records.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Comfort with diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and lifestyle backgrounds.

  QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bilingual in English/Spanish or another language prevalent in the service community preferred.
  • Prior experience working within a community violence prevention, trauma recovery, or outreach model preferred.
  • Familiarity with Medicaid documentation and performance-based contracting requirements preferred.
  • Additional certification or training in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, or harm reduction approaches preferred.
  • Understanding of trauma-informed care principles, behavioral interventions, and violence dynamics in urban communities preferred.
  • Experience providing drug and alcohol screening, assessment, linkage, and integrating substance use interventions for dually diagnosed clients, or willingness to be trained in these areas preferred.
  • Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage individuals and families who may initially be reluctant to participate preferred.
  • Knowledge of, commitment to, and passion for serving adults and families living in Chicago communities experiencing concentrated socioeconomic disadvantage and high rates of community violence preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with outreach teams, hospitals, justice system partners, and community stakeholders to support participants preferred.
  • Master’s degree in social work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field from an accredited college or university required.
  • 2 + years of related post-Master’s experience at an intermediate skill level, required.
  • Current Illinois LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) or LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) required.
    
  • Must become IM+CANS certified within 3 months of hire and maintain re-certification annually required.
  • Ability to maintain mobility and manage a community-based caseload, including school visits required.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups required.

  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.

  TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Driving for work required with a personally owned vehicle. Travel between sites required.

  PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

  • While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.

  Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here !

  Some highlights include:

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage, Guardian Dental Coverage, and VSP Vision Coverage.
  • Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
  • FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
  • Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

  And so much more! Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered!

  MORE ABOUT US:

  Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.

  Qualifications

  Education

  Required

  Masters

  Experience

  Required 2 years

  Demonstrated work experience in the relevant field or area of practice

  Licenses & Certifications

  Required

  Lic Clinical Social Work

  Lic Clin Prof Coun

  Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
  This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

• About the company

  Metropolitan Family Services is a non-profit organization in Chicago.

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