Certified Peer Support Specialist

Overview

Certified Peer Support Specialist in Crescent City, CA. This recruitment will establish a list of candidates to be used in filling the vacancy as well as an eligibility list that may be used for future vacancies or temporary help for up to one (1) year. Only online applications are accepted. Resumes are encouraged, but will not be accepted in lieu of required application materials.

Applicants reviewed for minimum qualifications may be invited to an oral interview.

Expected Hire Pay Scale: $1,946.53 – $2,146.05 Bi-weekly

Employer: Del Norte County Department of Health & Health Services, Behavioral Health Branch. Position is Full-Time.

Under general supervision and in cooperation with professionals and paraprofessionals, learn to perform a variety of paraprofessional services in the community or clinic setting; act as a resource and support system for participants; provide liaison functions between participants and service providers; support self-empowerment of participants to act on their own behalf; provide services to participants and their family members/caregivers, both individually and in group settings, and perform related work as required.

May work as a member of the Mobile Crisis Team/Unit and assist clients experiencing a mental health or a substance use disorder crisis. The Certified Peer Support Specialist is a paraprofessional class requiring state-certified credentials and ongoing continuing education.

Detailed Work Activities

• Act as a resource and provide direct assistance and guidance to participants of the related programs
• Coordinate services for participants
• Support and engage participants in productive activities which promote growth toward a successful outcome
• Provide support and advocacy to help participants stabilize and benefit from treatment and services
• Support participants in combating negative self-talk, overcoming fears, and solving problems
• Provide one-on-one coaching and mentoring; connect participants and family members to services and guidance in understanding agency policies
• Assist with goal articulation and collaboration of assessment and treatment; facilitate connections to community resources;
  Mobile Crisis Team involvement to help develop crisis plans and stabilize participants
• Facilitate reciprocal education with other providers and lead groups for participants/family members/caregivers
• Communicate with community-based organizations to engage participants in services
• Provide case management documentation in the Electronic Health Record; assist with related paperwork and transportation; collect data during assessments
• Maintain documentation and attend meetings/trainings; support professional staff; facilitate programmatic services and peer support groups
• Accompany Behavioral Health Specialists in the community during crisis responses; provide evidence-based safety resources
• Collaborate with staff and community partners; promote positive relationships and open communication

Any combination of education, training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered qualifying. Typical qualifications include:

• Pattern I:
  High School diploma or GED AND two (2) years of experience as a Client Services Specialist or equivalent and self-identification of recovery experience from mental illness or substance use disorder (as a consumer or family member).
• Pattern II:
  High School diploma or GED AND two (2) years of experience in a social services, mental health, substance use disorder or public health setting with direct client contact and recovery experience as above.
• Must obtain Peer Certification within six (6) months of hire.

Special Requirements: Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s license; must maintain current Peer Certification after probation.

All County of Del Norte employees are Disaster Service Workers under California Government Code; loyalty oath required; disaster training may be required.

Knowledge of: Programmatic issues, wellness, resiliency, recovery, healing relationships, self-care, local resources, confidentiality, and basic…