Crisis Intervention Specialist

Position Title: Crisis Intervention Specialist FLSA Code: Exempt
Department: Violence, Intervention & Prevention Reports to: Program Manager

Position Description
The Crisis Intervention Specialist (CIS) position engages with community residents who have been survivors of violence, are families of victims of violence and youth exposed to violence, who may also be experiencing a crisis. The CIS position will provide trauma-informed support, accompaniment and linkage to a variety of resources, included but not limited to: housing, financial, legal, educational and mental health.
This position will be vital in building a violence recovery program to help residents across communities. The applicant must have experience in offering street-based community outreach to individuals in Latino and African-American communities.
This position provides trauma-informed case management, advocacy and Crisis Intervention services to children, adults, seniors and families impacted by community violence. Additionally, the position is responsible for community outreach, prevention education and conducting program support groups and workshops.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides advanced advocacy, assessment, and trauma informed case management services to individuals, families and groups. Services can either be provided at the program office, at off-site programs or in participant’s homes.
• Conducts outreach and intake as assigned.
• Coordinates services with other agencies and provides follow-up services as needed.
• Creates and maintains service plans to ensure program participants receive full range of services necessary to reach and maintain their individual goals.
• Counsels program participant individually, in family, or in groups and establishes appropriate service/treatment plans, reviews case progress and determines case closure according to program guidelines and standards.
• Refers program participants to community resources and other organizations. Determines program participant's eligibility for financial assistance and/or benefits and entitlements.
• Provides financial assistance and financial management support to program participants, in accord with Organizational policies and procedures. Helps program participant to modify attitudes and patterns of behavior by increasing understanding of self, personal problems, and the actions and decisions, which contribute to the creation of those problems.
• Provides case consultation as appropriate, and develops/implements special projects such as the development of informational materials, providing training for other staff in social work and treatment/service theory, and participating in assigned professional and community activities.
• Creates and updates safety plans for program participants. Facilitates support and educational groups for children, adults and seniors who have experienced trauma. Recruits participants for support groups and provides assessment and follow-up referrals for counseling, if needed.
• Facilitates support groups and educational workshops, as assigned.
• Maintains appropriate participant records including file documentation and protects participant confidentiality.
• Completes all required statistical and monthly narrative reports for program in a timely and professional manner.
• Participates in staff meetings Crisis Prevention Interventionist is preferred.
• Assists with Chicago Police Department with Home Visits
• Collaborates with Street Outreach on CPIC leads
• Participates in community crime prevention and advocacy events as directed.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
High school diploma with at least 2 years of relevant experience in social work, youth development, criminal justice, case management or related field. Associate’s degree preferred.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
May be required to work evening and/or weekend hours as needed.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.