Crisis Prevention Specialist

Do you thrive under pressure and want to make a meaningful impact in your community? The YMCA of Central Ohio is seeking a Crisis Prevention Specialist to join our team. In this critical role, you’ll help prevent and de‑escalate crises, build trust with clients, and connect individuals to the resources they need to move forward. Working closely with case managers and shelter staff, you’ll use your skills in crisis intervention, communication, and relationship‑building to create safer, more positive outcomes for those we serve.

This position requires weekend availability and is for 2nd shift (2:00 PM – 12:00 AM). If you’re compassionate, composed, and ready to make a difference, we want to hear from you.

• Thinks, communicates and behaves as a cause‑driven leader and role model for other staff and members when it comes to desired staff behaviors; promotes youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in all job‑related functions.
• Participates in existing processes (and develops new, when necessary) where they then receive instructions from Leadership Team Members to possibly intervene in disruptive client behavior at its infancy, preventing escalation and creating a more positive resolution.
• Conduct wellbeing checks throughout assigned shifts and areas to build relationships and trust with clients; developing ongoing rapport with clients.
• Conducts regular facility rounds throughout shift and takes action on any abnormalities discovered.
• Conducts follow‑up face‑to‑face visits with all clients of concern, as identified by case management staff, incident reports, and shift reports.
• Completes daily activity log indicating contacts; completes weekly reports on each client showing improvements, areas of need, and adherence to case plans. Submits reports to Risk Management Director and Case Management Directors weekly.
• Assists by providing coping strategies to clients, debriefing after stressors or incidents and assists clients with linkage to the most appropriate resources and services.
• Communicates and coordinates with case management in shelter or housing programs.
• Models appropriate crisis prevention and de‑escalation skills; provides training and education to YMCA staff on identifying when a client may be about to escape or in crisis and the appropriate response.
• Engage in crisis de‑escalation to reduce situations resulting in violence, harm, and/or police and emergency medical involvement.
• Provides appropriate information to emergency services during incidents requiring their response.
• Communicates and coordinates with on‑site staff throughout shift as well as with Case Managers, and/or Program Managers for post‑crisis client follow‑up.
• Participates in all scheduled practice group and training sessions with partner organizations.
• Shares and reports out data and summaries to partner organizations and funders as requested. Monitors and meets outcome requirements as determined by the YMCA and funding organizations.
• Participates in case conferences with clients, case managers, and service providers.
• Adheres to policies related to boundaries with youth. Participates in required abuse risk management training.
• Reports suspicious and inappropriate behaviors.
• Follows mandated abuse reporting requirements.
• Adheres to job‑specific abuse risk management responsibilities.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Education requirements (BA/BS) or high school diploma w/ previous experience (lived or professional) in crisis and de‑escalation work, mental health and substance use disorders, housing and homelessness.
• Previous professional experience in a field handling and resolving situations of an emergency, crisis, or traumatic nature.
• Exercise good judgment; able to think and act quickly and remain professional in challenging situations; familiarity with community resources specifically behavioral health services.
• YMCA Team Leader certification; if not certified, must obtain certification within 12 months.
• Passionate belief in the Y’s cause of nurturing the potential of all youth, supporting healthy living for all people and finding ways to help and support our neighbors.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and viewpoints from all social and economic segments of the organization and community. A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti‑racism is expected from our staff.
• Proven track record of developing authentic relationships with others.
• Ability to foster a collaborative team approach to solving challenging situations.