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 Calumet Team!

Address: 235 E 103rd St, Chicago, IL 60628, USA

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.

• 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.

• High School diploma 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, e.g., 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 detail‑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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $46,187.

• Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO with HSA contributions.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Options.
• 12 paid Holidays.
• Paid Time Off (PTO).
• 401(k) Plan.
• Training and Professional Development Plan with e‑Learning.
• Wellness Initiative Program.
• Employee Assistance Network.

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.