Intervention Specialist

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The mission of Sunshine Gospel Ministries (SGM) is to seek the renewal of the city through ministries of discipleship, mercy and justice. Our vision is to empower youth and families to thrive and lead prosperous, healthy lives through connectedness, opportunity, and economic sustainability. Our culture is open, warm, inviting and family oriented. We are a ministry that seeks individuals who have a passion for the gospel, and our youth and families in the Woodlawn community.

Flourishing Community Initiative (FCI) is a division of Sunshine Gospel Ministries (SGM). Through FCI we envision a community that inspires youth and residents to live with pride and to live in harmony with purpose with one another. We envision the sounds of gunshots being replaced by the sounds of organizing, collaboration, laughter, and learning.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Intervention Specialist will provide acute intervention, outreach/advocacy, counseling, and case management for youth to young adult victims of Gun Shot Wound (GSW) violence. The position requires the ability to provide clinical services in a non-traditional manner/setting, utilizing a wide range of strategies to address symptoms of trauma and disruptions in daily living (safety, emotional management, loss, and future). Services will include bedside visits and intensive follow-up services to persons who have been hospitalized for violent injuries; home and school visits; and even communication and visits to the Juvenile Justice Center to sustain the connection following their release

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / FUNCTIONS**

• Provides trauma informed emotional support, mentoring, and advocacy to violence-involved persons within the hospital, in their home, and in the community. 


• Provides support to family and friends of the victim. 


• Provides referrals and intensive case management to assist in successful connection to community-based resources. 


• Maintains intensive follow-up contact with participants, family and service providers through home visits and telephone contact. 


• Keeps consistent and accurate records of all contacts with participants in a web-based database. 


• Provides documentation needed for billing for services. 


• Disseminates information and resources to hospital staff, patients, community groups, local leaders and the general public. 


• Familiarity with computers such that the employee is able to complete required data entry tasks, communicate via email and complete basic work processing tasks as needed. 


• Computer literacy required (ability to compose and send emails, draft client case notes, use an internet based database system, compose documents in Microsoft Word, and perform basic internet research).  


• Demonstrated ability and desire to offer marginalized individuals a high quality of service. 


• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team. 


• Documented history of serving at-risk populations including homeless individuals, communities in poverty, at-risk youth, and individuals impacted by trauma/adversity, and/or justice-involved youth or young adults.  


• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational and writing skills are essential. 


• Ability to motivate and establish therapeutic alliance with clients. 


• Knowledge of, and demonstrated skills in, clinical counseling such as motivational interviewing and strengths-based case management. 


• Experience performing social service case management a plus. 


• Valid Illinois Driver's License, insurance, and good driving record. 


• Ability to multi-task and effectively manage work at different sites (in-office and off-site).


• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned.

EDUCATION SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice or related and/or equivalent experience.


• At least 2 years of experience in case management.


• Demonstrated understanding of the impact of trauma on individuals and experience with trauma-informed practices and programming is essential. 


• At least 2-years' experience supporting and working with the at-risk community. 


• At least 2 years of experience working with people from various ethnic, economic, and educational backgrounds both as colleagues and as participants. 


• Strong community engagement skills with deep awareness of community dynamics and resources. 


• Self-motivated with the demonstrated ability to set meaningful goals and take action. 


• Demonstrated critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills. 


• Continuous learner who leverages opportunities for learning and applies new knowledge and skills.  


• Experience documenting case-notes. 


• Experience developing and retaining relationships with other service providers.

RELATED REQUIREMENTS

• Must become a Mandated Reporter. 


• Knowledge of the 003rd Chicago Police Department (CPD) district & community. 


• Must successfully complete a background screening. 


• Must work weekdays, evenings and weekends, including holidays with a flexible work schedule.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical demands:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk and/or sit; use hands to fingers or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must be able to bend, stoop, pull, push, lift, as well as have overhead extension of arms. Must be able to stand for long periods of time; be able to lift, carry or move at least 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 

Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in a public building and/or outdoors and thus will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but at times, can be high.

DIRECT REPORTS

N/A

BENEFITS

Health Reimbursement Account

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off (including 16 company holidays)
Career advancement opportunities