Certified Peer Support Specialist​/Trainee; Consumer

The Riverside University Health System’s Behavioral Health Department is seeking multiple bilingual and non‑bilingual Certified Peer Support Specialists and Trainees for positions throughout Riverside County.

Applicants must have at least one year of personal recovery experience from mental health or substance abuse and be able to share their experiences with others. Competitive candidates will also have current or previous experience as a consumer, family advocate, or parent partner of mental health or substance recovery services.

Some positions may require a law‑enforcement background investigation. Applications may remain active for up to six months. Schedules vary based on location and departmental needs.

• Provide meaningful self‑disclosure of personal lived experience of behavioral health and/or substance abuse recovery and resiliency to people served in the system (State‑certified requirement).
• Inform, train, support, and empower consumers, families, and caregivers receiving behavioral health services.
• Communicate, represent, and promote the consumer, families, and caregivers’ perspective within the behavioral health system.
• Facilitate self‑help groups for clients, youth, family members, and caregivers.
• Attend and participate in special events, conferences, workshops, and trainings within the behavioral health system and community.
• Develop activities, programs, and resources that support consumers, families, and caregivers in achieving their goals.
• Support the recognition, acceptance, and understanding of social and cultural factors in the provision of behavioral health services.
• Build working relationships with agencies and organizations to advocate for consumer, family, and caregiver empowerment.
• Help prepare and support clients, families, and caregivers at consumer progress consultation meetings and formal/informal hearings.
• Assist consumers and supporters in articulating their needs and participating in support networks and activities.
• Document all activities as required, following appropriate Medi‑Cal billing practices.

• Provide meaningful self‑disclosure of personal lived experience of behavioral health and/or substance abuse recovery and resiliency (State‑certified requirement).
• Inform, train, support, and empower consumers, families, and caregivers receiving behavioral health services.
• Communicate, represent, and promote the consumer, families, and caregivers’ perspective within the behavioral health system.
• Facilitate self‑help groups for clients, youth, family members, and caregivers.
• Attend and participate in special events, conferences, workshops, and trainings within the behavioral health system and community.
• Develop activities, programs, and resources that support consumers, families, and caregivers in achieving their goals.
• Support the recognition, acceptance, and understanding of social and cultural factors in the provision of behavioral health services.
• Build working relationships with agencies and organizations to advocate for consumer, family, and caregiver empowerment.
• Help prepare and support clients, families, and caregivers at consumer progress consultation meetings and formal/informal hearings.
• Assist consumers and supporters in articulating their needs and participating in support networks and activities.
• Document all activities as required, following appropriate Medi‑Cal billing practices.

• High school diploma, GED, or high school proficiency certificate.
• State‑certified Medi‑Cal Peer Support Specialist certification (must be obtained within two years of employment start and re‑certified every two years).
• Valid California Driver’s License may be required.
• Knowledge of the basic needs and difficulties faced by ethnically diverse consumers, families, and caregivers of behavioral health and/or substance abuse clients.
• Ability to learn the principles of the behavioral health system, represent the consumer perspective, communicate system operations, and build relationships with community agencies.

Peer Support Specialist Trainee: $19.43 – $26.64 per hour

Certified Peer Support Specialist: $23.30 – $31.72 per hour

For further details, contact the recruiter Edgar Manzo: emcardenas, (951) 955‑0951.