Youth Peer Support Specialist

Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc.•Wilmington, DE

17d•$32,218 - $43,589•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Crisis Clinical Coordinator, the Youth Peer Support Specialist provides peer mentoring services—including peer counseling, mentoring, support, and advocacy—to youth receiving services from the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) program during an identified crisis. The role engages youth with available support, advocates for their needs, and assists with transitions to other community support services. The specialist supports youth during the risk assessment following a request for MRSS and provides ongoing mentoring while the MRSS case is open. The specialist works closely with the MRSS crisis clinician to help youth achieve their goals and find stability in the community. The role also documents mentoring services from intake through discharge. This is a community-based position with an office location in Wilmington. Travel is required to locations where the client resides or is located. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

Lived experience as a youth who experienced support due to behavioral health needs.
Must be a young adult aged 18–24.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
Reliability and flexibility.
Customer service skills.
Written and verbal communication skills.
Collaboration and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

Maintain professional, trauma-informed, and empathetic interactions with children, families, and stakeholders during crisis interactions.
Use critical-thinking and risk-management skills when connecting with youth during mentoring.
Understand and use knowledge of warning signs and risk factors associated with suicide risk and risk of harm to others.
Develop skills in providing support for youth in crisis.
Provide individual peer support and counseling.
Share lived experience related to recovery, when appropriate.
Conduct routine home visits.
Communicate with and provide appropriate documentation to the DPBHS team, as needed.
Communicate with appropriate stakeholders to maintain a systems-based approach to assisting with youth stabilization.
Maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation.
Uphold professional standards of peer mentoring and the organization’s mission.
Maintain a quality code of conduct, ethics, and professionalism.
Provide goal-directed and team-oriented services.
Communicate effectively and professionally with all stakeholders.