PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST (PROJECT IN-REACH)

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Peer Specialist will provide flexible, multidisciplinary, non-clinical support to individuals with severe mental illness, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorder. Recovery support services include emotional, transportation, informational, and instrumental support as well as companionship. The Peer Specialist/Case Worker will support clients’ recovery using community support and resources.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position.

• Support and facilitate clients’ strategic recovery planning and goal setting.
• Teach and encourage the adoption of new recovery skills and techniques.
• Provide resources such as identified literature and media to assist recovering individuals in gaining hope, learning to identify their strengths, and combating negative self-talk.
• Monitor individual progress with critical goal setting and regular check-ins.
• Maintain detailed documentation of interactions with clients, providers, and other relevant parties.
• Support individuals in their post release treatment and self-advocacy for effective services.
• Provide client transportation.
• Collaborate with clinical team on client concerns, assist with referrals to services, and work with administrative team to meet client needs (such as organizing Lyft rides).

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

        Knowledge of: 

• The signs and symptoms of mental illness (e.g., hallucinations, aggressive or violence speech or behavior, isolation) and substance use disorder, while having the ability to assist accordingly and strategically.
• Community resources and coordinate client care with a variety of community-based services, including transportation, assistance programs, housing services, social/recreational and leisure time activities, employment assistance, educational opportunities, advocacy groups, legal assistance, Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System, and integrated treatment services for COD;
• The recovery process using established mental health processes and models, such as motivational interviewing and problem-solving strategies to encourage the achievement of goals.
• Awareness of and ability to use community resources as a mechanism of independence in multiple capacities.

          Ability to:

• Encourage the establishment of self-help and educational networks.
• Operate office equipment and use of Microsoft Office (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel).
• Plan and organize efficiently and demonstrate positive, professional, and tactful communication skills.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos in English; ability to write simple correspondence in English; ability to effectively communicate and present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s; ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables, in standardized situations.

Experience and Training:

A typical way of obtaining the necessary experience and training is by completion of High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent and at least one (1) years’ experience working in a social service setting serving individuals with mental illness. Lived experience through self or family with mental illness is mandatory. Complete peer employment training course within 90 days of hire.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Valid California Driver's License with current, valid California automobile insurance; CPR/First Aid Certified; TB test required upon hire and must be maintained every four (4) years. Graduate/Certification from the Recovery Innovations of California (RICA)’s Peer Employment Training Program preferred. Knowledge of cultural issues, values, and beliefs of the target population of adults with SMI, homelessness, and co-occurring disorders, relevant to providing appropriate program services; bilingual Spanish preferred. 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

Employee is required to stand, bend or stoop for long periods of time; sit, stand, talk or hear in person and by telephone, use hands to finger, handle and feel computers and other standard office equipment, and reach with hands and arms. The employee infrequently lifts up to twenty-five (25) pounds.  This is a field-based program; employee will provide services in the community or social settings.

Mental Demands:

This job includes close vision and the ability to adjust focus; use written and oral communications skills; read and interpret information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee works under typical office conditions; the noise level varies, usually between quiet to moderate noise as well as in the field with a varied work environment.