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 Case Manager to join our Midway Center team!

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Utilizes an area of expertise in providing direct service to designated client populations.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with clients and others related to client service.
• Provides advocacy, case management, counseling, and supportive help to individuals and families in coping with environmental and interpersonal relationship issues.
• Contacts individuals, families and/or referral sources to conduct a comprehensive assessment of client needs.
• Obtains, analyzes, and evaluates data necessary to develop and implement client service plans. Collaborates with other staff in implementing service plan.
• Reassesses and monitors the service plan to determine if clients' needs are adequately met, whether clients' circumstances have changed, and whether services are consistent with current need.
• Develops a working knowledge of resources and helps clients to effectively utilize them.
• With supervisory approval, authorizes limited amounts of financial assistance to own clients.
• Works with community groups around unmet and special needs, and may carry a special community assignment or administrative responsibilities as assigned.
• Participates in activities and educational opportunities leading to own professional development.
• Meets requirements specified in work assignments. Organizes time and manages job so that maximum service is given to clients.
• Interprets agency's services in various community contacts, professional and otherwise, as related to particular assignments.
• Be the primary contact for youth starting at outreach and provide coordinated care intervention for youth utilizing a strong community=based network of services.
• Work closely with referral sources to recruit & engage youth from various entry points (e.g. C.P.D., Probation, Street Outreach, etc.)
• Administer intake assessments and support youth to develop youth-driven service plans.
• Provide or refer youth to services aligned with their service plan.
• Connect and coach youth to services – moving beyond the “warm handoff”.
• Follow up with youth and service providers regularly to support youth to successfully complete services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field form an accredited college or university, required.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with at risk youth in the community required.
• Experience in facilitating group discussions with 14-24 year old's preferred. 
• Employment with MFS requires proof of vaccination or an approved Medical exemption, required.
• Must have access to a vehicle, valid driver's license and proof of insurance to perform essential job functions, required.
• Demonstrated ability to render direct service to clients and to organize and manage job efficiently.
• Mobility to work is required. Must have a vehicle, driver's license and insurance to conduct home and community visits.
• Ability to maintain assigned community and home-based services.
• Works effectively with diverse staff, community, schools, and trainee populations.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills; ability to relate to a wide range of issues, people, and institutions.
• Strong commitment to helping young people succeed in an innovative training program to reorient their lives and nurture their leadership skills.
• Highly organized. Knowledge of Excel to track customer flow of services.
• Excellent public speaking, listening, and written communication skills.

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 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 may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.

SALARY:

• Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $42,281.78.

Metropolitan Family Services offers a very generous benefits packet to our professionals:

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO w/ HSA contributions.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Options
• 11 paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401K Plan
• Training and Professional Development Plan with E- Learning
• Wellness Initiative Program
• Employee Assistance Network