Intake Specialist [Central Case Manager] (Full Time)

About DOI

District Outreach Industries NFP (DOI) is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of youth, young adults, and families who have been affected by trauma. Founded and led by Dori J. Collins, we believe healing must go beyond meeting immediate needs. It must address the emotional, mental, and social well-being of the whole person and the whole family. Through personalized support, evidence-based interventions, and deep community engagement, DOI empowers the people we serve to rebuild their lives with dignity, resilience, and optimism.

Rooted on Chicago's South Side, DOI works hand-in-hand with schools, hospitals, victim service providers, faith institutions, law enforcement, and grassroots community partners to address not only the effects of trauma and violence, but their root causes. Our vision is a community where every family impacted by trauma has seamless access to the support they need to heal, and to thrive.

About S.O.S. Help Is Here

S.O.S. Help Is Here is DOI's community-based violence intervention and crisis response initiative. The program connects individuals and families to immediate help and sustained support through street and community outreach, crisis response, intake and assessment, case management, parental engagement, and coordinated victim services, delivered in close partnership with Helping Communities Help Themselves and other victim service and community partners. The program is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, data-driven, and community-centered.

Position Summary

District Outreach Industries (DOI) seeks a skilled and compassionate Intake Specialist to support the S.O.S. Help Is Here program through frontline outreach, crisis response intake, and service navigation. The Intake Specialist serves as a primary point of first contact for individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, gun violence exposure, or systemic disconnection.

This full-time position is responsible for conducting initial assessments, intake documentation, crisis intervention, and service referrals while engaging individuals in crisis using a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach. The Intake Specialist works closely with DOI's Street Outreach, Case Management, Crisis Response, and Community Partner teams to ensure individuals receive timely, coordinated, and appropriate support.

The Intake Specialist reports directly to the Program Manager and plays a critical role in connecting community members to services, resources, and supportive interventions that promote safety, stability, and long-term well-being.

Key Responsibilities

Outreach and Community Engagement

• Conduct proactive, street-based outreach in targeted neighborhoods, high-need zones, and community hotspots.
• Build trust and rapport with individuals who may be hesitant to engage in services.
• Maintain a consistent field presence to identify emerging needs and connect individuals to support.
• Engage individuals experiencing homelessness, violence exposure, trauma, behavioral health challenges, or social isolation.

Crisis Response and Conflict Mediation

• Participate in an agency crisis response rotation to provide immediate intervention, de-escalation, and stabilization support.
• Respond to community referrals and requests for assistance from partner agencies, schools, hospitals, and first responders.
• Provide trauma-informed engagement to individuals at risk of violence, self-harm, victimization, or street-based trauma.
• Coordinate with emergency services, mobile crisis units, and harm-reduction partners when escalation is necessary.

Initial Assessment and Intake Processing

• Conduct comprehensive needs assessments, screenings, and risk evaluations during outreach and intake engagements.
• Identify urgent needs including housing, mental health care, substance use treatment, food insecurity, employment support, and medical services.
• Complete intake documentation accurately and timely in accordance with organizational, contractual, and funder requirements.
• Ensure informed consent, confidentiality, and data collection protocols are consistently followed.

Service Navigation and Referral Support

• Connect participants to appropriate services such as emergency shelter, housing programs, healthcare providers, behavioral health services, workforce development programs, and social support agencies.
• Provide transportation assistance or accompany participants to appointments when necessary to support engagement and retention.
• Coordinate referrals and service plans with internal case management and outreach teams.

Collaboration and Team Coordination

• Work closely with DOI outreach staff, case managers, violence prevention professionals, and community partners to support integrated service delivery.
• Participate in staff meetings, case reviews, multidisciplinary team meetings, community case conferences, and crisis debriefings.
• Share field observations, service gaps, and emerging trends with program leadership to strengthen outreach strategies and improve outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager to ensure program goals, grant deliverables, and service standards are consistently met.

Follow-Up and Client Support

• Maintain ongoing contact with participants to ensure continuity of care and successful service engagement.
• Monitor participant progress and adjust referrals or support plans as needed.
• Facilitate warm handoffs to case management, housing navigation, behavioral health, and other long-term support services.
• Maintain accurate participant records and case notes in agency databases and reporting systems.

Data Collection and Reporting

• Enter participant information, outreach contacts, assessments, referrals, and outcomes into agency data systems.
• Assist with program reporting requirements and outcome tracking.
• Maintain compliance with organizational policies, grant requirements, and documentation standards.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Public Health, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 2 to 3 years of experience in outreach, crisis response, homelessness services, behavioral health, violence prevention, or community-based human services.
• Demonstrated ability to engage individuals experiencing trauma, housing instability, or crisis situations.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, conflict resolution, and de-escalation skills.
• Experience conducting assessments, intakes, referrals, and participant documentation.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings and weekends based on program needs.
• Reliable transportation for field-based work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and electronic data management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, Psychology, or a related field.
• Training or certification in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, conflict mediation, restorative practices, mental health first aid, or harm reduction.
• Familiarity with South Shore community resources and service networks.
• Experience collaborating with schools, hospitals, first responders, or mobile crisis teams.
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Lived experience and strong community ties are highly valued.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel throughout South Shore and surrounding service areas.
• Ability to walk, stand, and work outdoors for extended periods during outreach activities.
• Ability to safely respond to community-based crisis situations and conduct field visits.

• Health and dental insurance (based on eligibility and organizational policy).
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Mileage reimbursement for approved field activities.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact through direct service, crisis intervention, and community engagement.