COMMUNITY INTERVENTION SPECIALIST

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

COMMUNITY INTERVENTION SPECIALIST

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Bureau of Behavioral Health

Number of Positions: 2

(additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $66,612.00

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CST on 11/13/2025

This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City's collective bargaining agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) - BARGAINING UNITS 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

BID INSTRUCTIONS: To bid on this position, APPLY ON THE BID SITE and:

1. Check the box on your profile titled "Currently employed by the City of Chicago"

2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled 'payee/employee number')

3. Select your correct bargaining unit, upload your resume, and complete the application

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION

Under supervision, the class works primarily in the filed canvassing communities providing crisis intervention and social services support to the unsheltered population, those experiencing mental health crisis, and/or substance use overdose, and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

* Travels by vehicle or on foot to encampment sites and locations throughout Chicago where the unsheltered population resides and proactively initiates non-judgmental conversations to create and maintain relationships and provide a consistent presence

* Responds to non-emergency calls of individuals experiencing mental health and social wellbeing crisis

* Engages individuals in need of services and consistently works to meet those needs, particularly with those who may not independently seek services

* Provides crisis counseling to vulnerable populations who have unmet mental health and social needs

* Provides in-person and telephonic case coordinating and case management functions for clients experiencing substance use overdose and/or those experiencing mental health crisis

* Coordinates with patients, families, and members of the field team to assist in determining levels of client services and needs

* Conducts needs assessments (e.g., intakes, coordinated entry system assessments, outpatient care, and services), obtains pertinent information and establishes short and long-term case management goals for clients

* Stays abreast of eligibility requirements and guidelines for other social service programs and community partners

* Assists individuals in applying for federal and state benefits (e.g., Medicaid, food security applications, and Social Security disability)

* Updates case management system with client information by using designated systems (i.e., HMIS, ECM, Redcap)

* Refers and advocates for clients to delegate agencies, shelters, and other social service providers for continued and ongoing social service needs (e.g., housing, medical, mental health services)

* Conducts follow up to ensure client receive appropriate needed assistance

* Assists in the placement of individuals affected by emergency housing situations (e.g., fires, vacates, evictions, etc.) by developing relocation plans and/or arranging shelter or nursing home placement and transportation

* Develops and maintains strong working relationships with staff at key City departments, health care professionals, homeless/housing service providers, and the community at large to provide intervention and services to high-risk clients who are need of services

* Coordinates and participates in the cleaning of encampment sites (e.g., proper disposal of food and garbage, and the appropriate handling of unsheltered populations personal items)

* Accompanies and transports clients to appointments

* Provides assistance when emergency shelters or other temporary shelters are activated in a crisis

* Participates in community and outreach events brining awareness to emergency mental health services offered

* Participates in annual homeless count

* Collaborates with outreach partners to connect client to services

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: 1920 S Western Ave + Citywide Field Locations

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 9:30am - 5:30pm

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

* Six (6) years of community or social service work experience involving the unsheltered population or individuals experiencing behavioral or substance use crisis, OR

* Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree in the Social Sciences or a directly related field, plus four (4) years of community or social service work experience involving the unsheltered population or individuals experiencing behavioral or substance use crisis OR

* Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in the Social Sciences or a directly related field, plus two (2) years of community or social service work experience involving the unsheltered population or individuals experiencing behavioral or substance use crisis OR

* Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in the Social Sciences or a directly related field, plus one (1) year of community or social service work experience involving the unsheltered population or individuals experiencing behavioral or substance use crisis

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

* A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.

For information about City of Chicago employee benefits, please click here

For information about City of Chicago salaries and job titles, please click here

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on the information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow all required employment/hiring plan provisions, federal, state, and local laws, and collective bargaining agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience, the City of Chicago has adopted ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA), and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. The learn more about our hiring processes, please click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor