Summary/objective Under the supervision of the Crisis Clinical Coordinator, the Youth Peer Support Specialist will provide rapid response peer support in conjunction with a Crisis Clinician completing a risk assessment to youth and families experiencing urgent psychological and emotional problems (ie. aggressive and defiant behavior due to problems with emotion regulation, suicidal/homicidal ideation, plans, or attempts, family conflicts, etc.) while maintaining safety, building rapport, and assisting in establishing trust with youth in a community-based setting. The incumbent is responsible for providing peer support and advocacy for youth in crisis, consulting with the crisis clinician team member and on-call Crisis Clinical Coordinator, providing the case management needed to maintain safety, and providing short-term, therapeutic crisis intervention case management for up to 30 days. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for documentation of case management services provided from intake through discharge. This position is available due to grant funding that will end on September 30, 2025. Essential functions: Risk Assessment * Maintain professional, trauma-informed, and empathetic interactions during crisis interactions with children, families, and stakeholders * Use critical thinking and risk management skills when connecting with clients during risk assessments * Understand and utilize knowledge about warning signs and risk factors associated with suicide risk and risk of harm to others * Develop comprehensive skills in planning for safety and providing support for youth in crisis Case Management * Assist Crisis Clinician in providing therapeutic recommendation and referrals for children, adolescents, and their families referred for assessments and follow-up services * Communicate with and provide appropriate documentation to the DPBHS team * Communicate with appropriate stakeholders to maintain a systems-based approach to stabilization of crisis situations * Maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation Therapeutic Crisis Intervention * Support the Crisis Clinician's plan for solution-focused and trauma-informed interventions to maintain safety, build skills, and address problem solving, communication, and relationship conflicts. General Responsibilities * Uphold professional standards of treatment and the mission of the organization * Maintain a quality code of conduct, ethics and professionalism * Provide goal-directed and team-oriented services * Communicate effectively and professionally with all stakeholders Competencies/ Capabilities: * Reliability & Flexibility * Customer Service * Written and Verbal Communication * Collaboration and Teamwork Supervisory responsibilities: None Work environment: Community-Based, Office location in Lewes, Dover, or Newark, DE Travel required: Travel to locations where the client resides or is located Schedule: * 8-hour shift * Mid-day to Evening Hours * Tuesday through Saturday Minimum qualification: * Lived experience as a youth in crisis situations * Young Adult ages 18-24 years old * High School Diploma or Equivalent * Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record Preferred qualification: * Associates or Bachelor's degree from an accredited school in the Human Services field EEO: Delaware Guidance Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions . Other duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.