Director of Community Safety & Transit Operations (Pilsen)

If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word. COMMUNITY ! 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. MFS is currently looking to fill a new full-time role, Director of Community Safety & Transit Operations, within our Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA) team! SALARY: The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $105,000 and $115,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Act as the primary liaison between MPI/Crisis Prevention Response Unit (CPRU), CTA leadership, and relevant public and community partners, including the Chicago Police Department (CPD), Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC). Develop Standard Operating Procedures; Oversee data tracking, outcome measurement, and reporting requirements for the initiative. This includes documenting engagement activities, de‑escalation outcomes, referrals, and trends related to youth and young adult behavior and rider safety. Recommend and manage the program budget for the CTA Innovation Pilot unit. Assure appropriate integration of a multi‑service, multi‑disciplinary approach, ensuring that field operations (Crisis Responders and Field Managers) and clinical staff (Clinical Behavioral Health Specialists and Mental Health Practitioners) work cohesively across the CTA transit environment. Provide strategic support to the Associate Director regarding deployment strategies, shift coverage, and rapid response to emerging situations across the Red, Green, and Orange lines. Provide strategic vision for expansion beyond the pilot phase to include partners in local neighborhoods where CTA operates. Update Standard Operating Procedures to include collaboration with local partners. Ensure all staff and partners receive ongoing training on trauma‑informed care, conflict mediation, de‑escalation, and situational awareness specific to navigating youth group behavior safely within a transit environment. Maintain quality and quantity of services by tracking high‑volume traffic and incident trends to adjust schedules and deployments accordingly. Collaborate with the Metropolitan Peace Initiatives network of hyper‑local community‑based organizations to facilitate warm handoffs and provide targeted supportive services to transit riders requiring ongoing assistance. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in social work, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or related field, required. 10+ years of experience in program leadership, violence prevention, crisis response, or community‑based operations with increasing levels of responsibility, required. A minimum of 7+ years’ experience as a program supervisor or director with increasing levels of responsibility, required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or related field. Experience operating violence interruption, street outreach, or community safety programs in high‑traffic, mobile public spaces or 24‑hour operational environments. Experience developing communication protocols with city agencies such as CTA, CPD, or OEMC.

TRAVEL/MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Driving for work required with a personally owned vehicle.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Deep knowledge and cultural understanding of the community dynamics, youth travel patterns, and neighborhoods served by the CTA’s Red, Orange, and Green Line corridors. Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups, particularly at‑risk youth and young adults. Demonstrated superior skills in strategic planning, multi‑agency coordination, and community relationship building. Demonstrated competence in consultation, teaching, writing, and data tracking.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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. Benefits Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, and Vision Coverage. Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, Health Savings Accounts, pro‑rated to your benefits start date. Free General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members. Ascensus 401(k) plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility. And so much more. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities: 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Illinois Peace Project