Peer Support Specialist - San Gabriel Valley Care Program

Peer Support Specialist

Sycamores is a contracted provider with the city of San Gabriel to operate the San Gabriel Valley Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement Program (CARE Team). It is an in-person emergency behavioral health service responding to crises in three regions throughout the San Gabriel Valley. The SGV CARE Team services include, but not limited to welfare checks, crisis intervention, de-escalation and stabilization, assessments, emotional/psycho-social support, and follow-up services to each client as appropriate.

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) is partnered with a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor and is a part of the response team, who jointly provides outreach and engagement to persons in need within the San Gabriel Valley. The "team" will additionally respond to referrals utilizing the agency vehicle to respond to a community member in need. The (PSS) is also responsible for providing stabilization interventions, advocating for client voice and choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services. The Response Team PSS will provide on-scene consultation to consumers regarding community resources, crisis intervention, and available community services, i.e., housing, mental health services, medical treatment, and substance abuse services. When not responding to crisis calls the team will provide outreach in coordination with law enforcement to identify high utilizers of 911 resources.

Starting Pay Range: $70,304 - $70,720 per year for Full-Time employment (starting pay will be based on previous work experience and educational background.)

Shift Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Job Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
• At least one year of job-related experience conducting street outreach to people experiencing homelessness and preferably have previous lived experience in homelessness, substance abuse, or criminal justice involvement preferred.
• Be self-identified as having experience with the process of recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent, caregiver, or family member of a consumer. If the lived experience includes a history of substance use, a minimum of two (2) years of continuous sobriety prior to the date of employment is required, and ongoing sobriety must be maintained throughout the duration of employment.
• Be willing to share their lived experience.
• Certification in Peer Support is preferred but not required. If not certified, upon hire the peer support specialist must successfully complete the training requirements for a peer support specialist and pass the certification examination or go through the process to become certified within 1 year of hire data.
• Bilingual Preferred.
• Have a strong dedication to recovery.
• Agree, in writing, to adhere to the Code of Ethics.
• Maintains all required licenses and certifications.
• As this position requires the driving of company vehicles for crisis intervention, including the provision of urgent or emergency services, driving is an essential function of this position. Candidate qualifications therefore include:

• Valid California driver's license.
• Acceptable driving record as determined Agency policy.
• Proof of auto insurance meeting minimum coverage requirements.

Physical Demands

• The ability to physically manage and/or de-escalate consumers/residents.
• Frequent driving in the community with consumers.
• Frequent/continuous intermittent standing/walking, occasional/intermittent sitting.
• Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities in fine motor activities requiring fingering, grasping, and forward reaching between waist and chest level.
• Reaching at or above shoulder level may be necessary.
• Bending, squatting, kneeling, pushing/pulling, twisting, and climbing.
• Occasional/intermittent lifting and carrying objects/equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Continuous use of near vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills in handling telephone calls, interacting with customers and co-workers and performing job duties.
• Requires physical presence in the office during shift.
• Ability to practice physical intervention for safety of consumers according to training and policy.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

All candidates who are presented with a conditional offer of employment must satisfy a pre-employment background check, drug, and health screen.

Sycamores is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Further, Sycamores is a Fair Chance employer and complies with California Government Code Section 12952, Employment Discrimination: Conviction History.