Intervention Support Specialist

Description

Intervention Support Specialist

BUILD, Inc. (Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) is presently seeking a committed, self-motivated, and innovative individual to join our team. BUILD is a nationally respected gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization based on Chicago’s West Side. Since 1969, BUILD has worked to save lives and mentor young people who live in the city’s most challenging neighborhoods. When you work at BUILD, you make an important difference to the thousands of youths and families we serve.

Our Core Values: Empathy, Passion, Persistence and Innovation

The Intervention Support Specialist provides community-based mentorship and case management services to youth ages 14–24 who are impacted by community violence, justice involvement, or who are at risk of involvement in the juvenile or criminal justice system. Through a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and youth centered approach.

The Intervention Support Specialist works collaboratively with participants to identify needs, develop individualized service plans, and connect youth and families to essential resources that support stability, safety, and positive development. Services include both short-term case management focused on stabilization and resource connection as well as longer-term mentorship that supports personal growth, life skills development, and positive decision-making.

Services are delivered primarily through community-based engagement. The Intervention Support Specialist reports to the Manager of Intervention Support Services.

Responsibilities/duties Are But Not Limited To

• Utilize motivational interviewing and strength-based approaches to complete needs assessments and develop individualized service plans reflecting participants’ self-identified goals and needs
• Build and maintain consistent mentoring relationships that foster trust, accountability, emotional development, and positive decision-making
• Provide case management support to address immediate stabilization needs including crisis response, service coordination, and connection to community resources
• Provide ongoing mentorship and developmental support that helps youth build life skills, strengthen decision-making, and work toward long-term personal, educational, and employment goals
• Connect youth and families to essential services including education, employment and workforce development, housing resources, behavioral health services, and other supportive programs
• Maintain a consistent schedule to support participant engagement and progress toward service plan goals which can include home visits, school meetings and visits, community contacts, and field trips
• Support youth in developing life skills such as problem-solving, conflict resolution, goal setting, communication, and accountability
• Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, and stabilization support as needed to ensure the safety and well-being of youth and families
• Assist youth in navigating systems including schools, probation, workforce programs, and community-based services
• Collaborate with internal programs to ensure youth have access to wraparound services including therapy, group programming, mentorship opportunities, and extracurricular activities
• Serve as a mandated reporter and adhere to all child safety, ethical, and confidentiality requirements
• Participate in weekly supervision with the Manager of Intervention Support Services
• Maintain timely, accurate, and compliant documentation of all services, contacts, and participant outcomes in required systems
• Manage an individual caseload of participants receiving mentorship and/or case management services
• Attend departmental meetings, agency-wide staff meetings, trainings, and community meetings as required
• Assist with program activities, outreach efforts, and community-based events to support youth engagement and overall program success
  
  

Requirements

Qualifications and Requirements

• A minimum of two (2) years experience working with at-risk youth and families in a community- based, trauma-informed, social service setting or a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Youth Development, or related field
• Demonstrate ability to work effectively with youth, families, and communities from diverse ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate in a respectful, engaging, and strength-based manner
• Ability and willingness to provide community-based direct services
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfortable using technology and data systems to support program operations and evaluation
• Must successfully pass an extensive background check
• Valid driver’s license, reliable automobile, and current insurance required