MCR Engagement Specialist

Metropolitan Family Services; Illinois; On-site; USD 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Family Services seeks compassionate Engagement Specialists to join our Merrionette Park team. You will provide crisis response support and collaborate with Intervention Specialists to deliver client-centered assistance in homes, schools, ERs, and community settings.

We offer full-time and on-call roles. Starting salaries range from $40,000 to $46,000 annually, with on-call pay per shift and a $2,500 sign-on bonus for first-time full-time employees.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be a consumer or parent/guardian/caregiver of a client who has navigated the mental health system/s for his/herself and/or family member.
• Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS), required after one year of employment.
• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.
• Transportation/travel requirements: driving for work and travel between sites.

Responsibilities

• Provides after-hours coverage for cases that require immediate response.
• All team members are required to complete a minimum of three on-call shifts per month.
• Provide Crisis Response in collaboration with the Intervention Specialist per staffing rotation.
• Assist clients with budgeting and decision making related to spending wisely, as needed.
• Attend provider multi-disciplinary staffing's and/or team meetings, as appropriate.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Verbal and Written Communication

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description

If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word: COMMUNITY ! Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do.

Metropolitan Family Services(MFS) 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. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company’s bottom line? Then we’d love to hear from you!

We are seeking compassionate and motivated Engagement Specialist to join our Merrionette Park team!

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families impacted by mental health challenges. In this role, you will provide invaluable support and perspective, drawing from your own lived experience—either as a parent of a child or adult with mental illness, or as an individual with a personal mental health journey.

Engagement Specialists play a vital role in our crisis response efforts, working closely with Intervention Specialists to deliver collaborative, person-centered support during critical situations. Your empathy, understanding, and ability to relate will help foster trust, empower clients, and promote recovery and resilience.

We are hiring for full-time and on-call positions, offering a range of flexible opportunities to contribute your unique expertise and passion for mental health advocacy.

FULL-TIME SALARY : The average starting salary for full-time positions will fall in the range of $40,000 to $46,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.

ON-CALL PAY: $50 per regular per diem shift, $100 per holiday per diem shift, and $290 per on-call visit.

$2,500 sign on bonus for full-time first time employees ( $500 within 1st or 2nd Paycheck; $1000 after 6 months of employment; $1,000 after completing 1 year).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provides after-hours coverage for cases that require immediate response.
• All team members are required to complete a minimum of three on-call shifts per month.
• Candidate will have successfully managed the symptoms of their own illness and have a working knowledge of the process.
• Provide Crisis Response in collaboration with the Intervention Specialist per staffing rotation.
• Services provided in homes, at schools, in ER's and any other place within the community to which that client presents in crisis.
• Provide community outreach and engagement activities to increase awareness of services.
• Provide information to clients, family members, and other stakeholders about the main client problems/ issues/ needs which the program is designed to address, treatment options, natural supports/community resources, etc.
• Assist clients with budgeting and decision making related to spending wisely, as needed.
• Co-facilitate prevention/education, wellness, and skill building groups, with other staff.
• Give presentations to clients, family members and professionals as needed.
• Work with MCR staff to ensure family involvement in all aspects of the client’s services, as applicable.
• Assist clinicians identify strengths and needs of the clients.
• Assist other staff to identify strengths and needs of the clients.
• Assist clients to develop and maintain a personal wellness plan, as appropriate.
• Attend provider multi-disciplinary staffing's and/or team meetings, as appropriate.
• Adhere to agency documentation and confidentiality requirements, as appropriate.

Assist clients in understanding, seeking and achieving the best possible outcomes as described in their Service Plans, especially those representing the main client problems/ issues/ needs which the program is designed to address.

Serve as a strong role model to clients.

Participate in program policy and procedure development and implementation as it relates to clients/family needs, as appropriate.

• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Relevant experience to perform the functions of a Engagement Specialist within the given program.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good judgment in maintaining responsibilities of the position in advocating for the best interest of clients served.
• Must have basic computer skills.
• High level of ability with oral and written communication.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Must be a consumer or parent/guardian/caregiver of a client who has successfully navigated the mental health system/s for his/herself and/or family member required.

• Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS), required after one year of employment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.

TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Driving for work required. Travel between sites 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 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.

Some highlights include:

• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, and Vision Coverage.
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

MORE ABOUT US:

Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Analytical Skills

Advanced

Advanced

Interpersonal Skills

Advanced

Organizational Skills

Advanced

Verbal and Written Communication

Advanced

Education

Required

High School or better.

Experience

Required

Relevant experience to perform the functions of a Engagement Specialist.

Must be a consumeror parent/guardian/caregiver of a client who has successfully navigated the mental health system/s for his/herself and/or family member.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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.