Peer Support Specialist (bilingual Spanish)

SPECIAL SERVICE FOR GROUPS
JOB POSTING

Title: Peer Support Specialist (Spanish-Bilingual) Division: SSG Riverside Counseling Center

FLSA: Non-Exempt Supervisor: Program Manager

Pay Range: $21-28 Revised: 1/27/25

. Summary

Under the direction of Program Manager and/or Clinical Director, the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) is responsible for providing peer support to clients by showing empathy, practicing skill building, providing education and giving guidance to encourage their participation in mental health services. The PSS brings unique experiences and perspective as once being a consumer in the children’s behavioral health system of care. The PSS assists the team in the development and provision of culturally competent and recovery oriented behavioral health services. The Peer Support Specialist contributes their personal experience, appropriate self-disclosure and empathy to outreach, network, provide support and engage with consumers of the agency. The Peer Support Specialist also adds the consumer experience and perspective to the development of programming, service delivery, formulation of treatment strategies, review of program efficacy and recovery planning. The experience of having “walked the same path” as a child, who has accessed children’s services and has transitioned to adult service, while partnering with parents and staff to enrich the culture of the agency and improve program effectiveness.

Essential Functions

· · Provides peer support, education and guidance to youth clients (consumers)

· Assist clinics/programs in providing a welcoming environment that reflects cultural/ethnic awareness and sensitivity.

· Follow up with new consumers (face to face or by phone) within the first 30 days of services, to encourage consumer’s active participation in their individual treatment and assist in problem solving to resolve barriers to treatment and services

· Work both individually or in groups with consumers to provide support services in recovery/discovery.

· Assist and support consumers to learn/practice skills and activities around daily living.

· Outreach to unengaged consumers, face-to-face or by phone

· Assist consumers in navigating the system of care

· Support, assist and promote consumers in engaging in supportive networks and activities outside the behavioral health system.

· Refer consumer to a licensed clinician and report to immediate Supervisor whenever imminent risk, danger or abuse is suspected by the Peer Specialist or reported by others.

· Provide emotional support to consumers who need an advocate at community appointments.

· Attend and participate in special events, conferences, workshops and trainings with the behavioral health system and in the community including RUHS monthly Western-region peer meetings and quarterly all county peer meetings, SSG-RCC staff meetings and weekly supervision.

· Comply with State and Federal confidentiality regulations, mandated reporting laws and county policies.

· Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings to assist with the planning, coordination, and implementation of the clients’ treatment plans.

· Maintain ethical and professional standards, including the separation of personal recovery issues from the consumer’s recovery.

· Attends and or facilitates Child and Family Team Meetings (CFT)

· Validate the experience of the consumer while modeling and promoting recovery/discovery.

· Provides services in Spanish and assist staff in Spanish-English translation, as needed.

· Maintains complete and timely documentation of client services.

· Utilize recovery/empowering language with staff and consumers.

· Regular attendance required

· Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures and principles.

· Performs any other appropriate duties as needed assigned by the Supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications – Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

· High School Diploma or certificate from an accredited business school, or educational equivalent.

· One-year personal experience in service coordination/navigation of one of the public agencies: CPS, DCFS, Probation, DMH mental health services or the special education system.

· Basic computer skills and knowledge of various types of software (e.g. Word, Excel).

· Ability to function as a member of an inter-disciplinary team.

· Must have own reliable transportation, a valid California Driver’s License, and the required automobile insurance coverage.

· Permanent US residency, citizenship, or possession of proof of legal employment authorization in the USA.

· Must be able to work with a diverse group of people from various ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds.

· Bilingual capacity required (Spanish/English).

· Establishes, maintains, and promotes effective working relationships within the division.

· Excellent communication skills.

· Ability to perform duties on some weekday evenings and weekend days when required.

· Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check

· Regular attendance required.

· Other duties, as needed and/or as assigned by supervisor.

· Bilingual Spanish- Fluent in Speaking and writing.

· Completion of TB test every 4 years.

· Complete Certified Peer Support Specialists trainings and meetings as required; obtain CalMHSA’a Medi-cal Peer Support Specialist certification, then maintain certification (20 hours biennial), and other certification requirements per RUHS policies and contract.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

The environment for this position is an office environment as well as working within at-risk areas including home and school based services. Driving is required when in the field, own transportation is required.

Physical Requirements

In the course of performing this job, there will be driving, walking and sitting required.

Mental Requirements

The incumbent in this position must be able to accommodate to all of the following: constant distractions, interruptions; uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; think conceptualize and handle stress.

Special Service for Groups, Inc. (SSG) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

SSG will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements set by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.00 - $28.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21 - $28