Certified Peer Support Specialist

About the role

The Peer Support staff provides support, advocacy, and assistance to clients in the treatment program. This position draws on lived experience and peer support principles to foster recovery, resiliency, and empowerment among clients. The Certified Peer Support Specialist must hold a current Peer Support Specialist certification and provides services within the peer support scope of practice. Working closely with the multidisciplinary treatment team, the Peer provides feedback and perspective to improve the effectiveness of behavioral health services while modeling positive recovery practices.

Responsibilities

• Communicate, represent, and promote the perspectives of clients and their families/caregivers within the behavioral health system
• Facilitate self-help groups for clients, family members, and caregivers
• Shadow and support individual and group therapy sessions, demonstrating knowledge of substance use, co-dependence, and group dynamics
• Support discharge planning activities, including employment, housing, and community reintegration
• Maintain respectful, professional interactions while supporting client recovery goals
• Transport clients to offsite appointments, community resources, and recovery-related activities while maintaining a safe, supportive, and professional environment
• Attend and participate in special events, conferences, workshops, and trainings
• Actively participate in case conferences, utilization reviews, and staff meetings
• Engage in ongoing in-service and other required training activities
• Collaborate with clinical staff, family members, probation officers, and social workers
• Maintain timely and professional communication with team members, family, and referral sources
• Report client issues and concerns to supervisors as required
• Support organizational policies, procedures, and goals established by leadership
• Auxiliary administrative tasks as assigned by the supervisor
• Ensure compliance with attendance requirements and training completion (e.g., Relias)
• Support and uphold safety standards, including risk management and facility procedures
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Must hold current CPR and First Aid certification or obtain certification within 30 days of hire (training provided by employer)
• Crisis intervention training (preferred)
• Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, accepts criticism and feedback, and changes approach or method to best fit the situation
• Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally and in written form. Exhibits good listening and comprehension, keeps others adequately informed, and selects and uses appropriate communication methods
• Identifies and addresses conflicts in a timely manner, facilitates open communication, seeks mutually beneficial solutions, and maintains a positive working environment
• Displays courtesy and sensitivity, manages difficult or emotional customer situations, meets commitments, responds promptly to customer needs, and solicits customer feedback to improve services
• Responds to requests for service and assistance, follows instructions, responds to management direction, takes responsibility for own actions, commits to doing the best job possible, keeps commitments, and meets attendance and punctuality guidelines
• Competent in required job skills and knowledge, exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills, keeps abreast of current developments, requires minimal supervision, displays understanding of how job relates to others, uses resources effectively
• Uses good clinical judgment and professional boundaries when assessing, counseling, and consulting
• Identifies problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully, develops alternative solutions
• Must maintain active and current Peer Support Specialist certification recognized by the State of California or an approved certifying body (such as DHCS‑recognized Peer Support Specialist programs). (Required)
• Certification must be maintained in good standing, including completion of any required continuing education or renewal requirements. (Required)
• Lived Experience Requirement: Minimum of 1 year of lived experience in behavioral health or substance use disorder (SUD) recovery, either through personal recovery or direct involvement in the recovery journey of a close family member. Candidates must demonstrate meaningful engagement with the recovery community and a willingness to share their recovery story when appropriate, in a way that supports and inspires others.
• Sobriety Requirement (for those in personal recovery): If the candidate is in personal recovery, a minimum of 2 years of continuous sobriety is required. The candidate must also demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle.
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Valid certification by a state approved Peer Support credentialing program
• Valid California Driver’s License (required), and insurability under company policy
• FBI/DOJ fingerprint clearance, negative TB test, and drug screening prior to hire
• Bilingual in Spanish (preferred)
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends as needed
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based practices in SUD and co-occurring disorders
• Familiarity with addiction treatment resources, relapse prevention, and recovery support systems
• Ability to work with diverse populations with sensitivity and professionalism
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic computer use
• Must be able to perform CPR and respond to medical emergencies as needed

Qualifications

• Physical and environmental conditions: This position primarily operates in an office or clinical environment. The role requires sufficient physical ability and mobility to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, including walking between buildings and up and down stairs; frequently lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50 pounds; assist with client mobility and repositioning as needed; perform repetitive hand movements including keyboarding, grasping, and reaching to operate standard office and medical equipment; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; must be physically capable of performing CPR, including kneeling, applying chest compressions, and using emergency response equipment; ability to see at close range, at a distance, peripherally, and to adjust focus; depth perception required for tasks such as reading, computer use, and navigating the workspace; ability to clearly communicate verbally with coworkers, supervisors, clients, and medical professionals; ability to hear within normal audio range, with or without corrective devices; work is performed in a standard office or clinical setting with frequent client interaction and occasional interruptions; may be exposed to bodily fluids, odors, cleaning agents, and other environmental elements on an occasional basis; must be able to respond to emergencies in various areas of the facility, including those accessible only by stairs.

Benefits

N/A

Pay

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Schedule

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