Intake Specialist

Metropolitan Family Services 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. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 117,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.

We are now hiring for a full-time Intake Specialist to join our Midway Team!  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:     

Provide client-centered, welcoming, responsive, and helpful intake and referral services to individuals and families that result in being connected to appropriate services and/or resources. Effectively gather and process pertinent information to provide referrals for services and resources the person may be eligible for work with community resources to expand needed external referrals. Effectively triage and de-escalate persons in crisis who are seeking services and/or resources. Effectively work with diverse staff and service population.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Answer calls and receive walk-ins.


• Assist people seeking services in articulating their needs.


• Facilitate a holistic screening process that will support linkage to the appropriate services and resources.


• Advocate for individuals and families served by MFS intake in order to secure resources and services.


• Triage and de-escalate persons in crisis   and connect persons to appropriate emergency resources.


• Assist persons who call or walk-in with the completion of applications, screening tools, and other related documentation required for accessing resources or services.


• Provide follow-up calls to assure referral/linkage was successful.


• Complete necessary documentation and data entry of the intake service being provided either concurrently or by end of shift.


• Perform community outreach by attending service fairs and public speaking engagements to publicize MFS services.


• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School with a minimum of 3 years of human service experience, required; Or an associate’s degree in a relevant field and 1 year of human service experience; Or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, preferred. (Qualified human service experience includes: provision of direct service to a client to improve quality of life, examples may include case management, advocacy for client needs, helping client meet basic needs, coordinating care, assessment of needs, crisis intervention).


• Ability to complete required 40-hour domestic violence training.


• Good computer skills and ability and willingness to learn a variety of applications. Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs.


• Must be detailed oriented with good organizational skills.


• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).


• Excellent interpersonal skills.


• Ability to multitask within a fast-paced environment and meet multiple deadlines simultaneously.


• Demonstrated courtesy, patience, and good judgment under pressure.


• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.


• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• MFS staff are required to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved Medical exemption prior to starting employment. If an approved Medical exemption is obtained, weekly testing is 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 will lift and/or move with capability of at least 50 pounds.

SALARY: 

• The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $40,000 and $43,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level. 

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

Some highlights include:

• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, and 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.