Peer Support Specialist

Job DetailsJob Location: Adult Behavioral Health - Hayward, CA 94545 Position Type: Full Time Education Level: 4 Year Degree Salary Range: $25.90 - $26.52 Hourly Travel Percentage: Up to 25% Job Shift: Day Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services POSITION OVERVIEW: The Peer Case Manager is a role within Alma y Esperanza within the Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) at La Familia. This program will provide a whole-person, integrated care model that combines behavioral health and social service navigation with strong coordination of primary health services, aiming to improve related outcomes in Alameda County. The Peer Case Manager will provide direct services to participants, offering either solution-focused, short-term support or longer-term case management support, based on an assessment and service plan. Additionally, the Peer Case Manager will support the design and implementation of outreach and community engagement activities. This role will uphold and champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture. We are looking for a candidate to work the following shift: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. shift required 1–2 weekdays per week This position is covered under the SEIU 1021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition to the established base pay, members will receive negotiated annual increases as follows: January 2027: 3% base pay increase Future increases will be subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities: Case Management and Individualized Care Coordination Develop and maintain rapport with participants and maintain rapport and trust through consistent, regular meetings, including proactively communicating and soliciting updates from participants and consistent use of Motivational Interviewing techniques. Provide timely, thoughtful, trauma-informed, culturally responsive responses to participants and all partners. Conduct initial assessments and work with the clinical consultant team and supervisor to finalize each assessment. Help participants identify and remain motivated towards their personal objectives within the case plan. Facilitate the planning process of an individual's case plan; oversee, evaluate, and monitor the implementation of case plan objectives. Provide outreach engagement, linkage, and follow-up services to clients. Act as a role model, with the intention of inspiring, engaging, and advocating for clients’ wellness and rights. Research and provide referral resources to help participants meet their needs. Support participants through transitions of care, including but not limited to hospital discharge and moving to higher or lower levels of care with a new service provider, including helping participants to access timely information, determine options, set criteria for choices, and provide information to all providers. Provide crisis intervention as needed, including de-escalating and stabilizing clients in crisis through brief intervention and escalating support for the client to clinical consultants and other available interventions. Short Term Care Coordination and Follow-Up Act as a member of the care team, including helping participants to create plans and strategies to overcome barriers to accessing care identified by other team members. Help participants make and access appointments with preferred partners. Make reminder calls and follow-up calls to verify participation or attendance at appointments, as required. Community Engagement and Outreach Design, implement, and track activities hosted at the CCBHC site and in the community that result in community members feeling: More likely to access clinical services at the CCBHC Validated about their stressors and able to identify others in the community who experience the same thing to build relationships Supported and inspired to implement non-clinical wellness habits and activities to manage their own mental health Educated about mental health wellness for themselves and their family members, and resources to reduce social service needs that contribute to stress or create barriers to accessing mental health care. Confident in their ability to navigate and advocate. Engaged as community stakeholders and advisors in the services and models of the CCBHC. Provide effective outreach and timely responses to engage all referrals made by funders and social service partners, including attending health fairs and making community presentations. Maintain networking and referral relationships with relevant social service partners and other service providers. Other: Provide complete and thorough documentation, including required forms and participant progress notes, and enter into the Salesforce database. Maintains all records in accordance with funder and program requirements. Attend individual and team meetings as assigned. Collaborate with the evaluation team, as appropriate. Attend training, monitor trade publications, and participate in events relevant to key responsibilities. Track and regularly report on key metrics for responsible function areas. Leads and collaborates on special projects related to agency objectives as appropriate. Other miscellaneous duties as appropriate. CORE COMPETENCIES: Leading the self: Demonstrates ethics and integrity Displays drive and purpose Manages self and adapts to change Exhibiting leadership stature Practice self-awareness and continuous learning INCLUSION, RESPECT, AND COLLABORATION: Practices cultural humility and cultural responsiveness when engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, while practicing appropriate boundaries. Develop relationships with their teams and across the organization to foster cultural humility and cultural responsiveness, teamwork, and collaboration, ensuring positive outcomes for the organization both internally and externally. Utilize effective communication skills to listen and respond with empathy, while adopting a proactive and collaborative approach to drive innovative change. This approach should be sensitive to the organization's culture and its role within the community. QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS & Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in Community Development, Sociology, or related field with 2+ years of experience in direct service case management/social service programs. (Education requirement may be waived with 4+ years of experience) Required–must be available to work from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 1-2 days out of the week. Bilingual Spanish/English strongly preferred. Mental Health Services Administration Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification preferred or must be willing to participate in Peer Support Specialist Certification training within 6 months of hire. Demonstrated experience working in programs that work with low-income and other vulnerable communities. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community members and staff of all levels. Ability to work independently, demonstrating excellent critical thinking skills and professional judgment Excellent public speaking and writing abilities for multiple audiences Experience in non-profit and community-based organizations is highly desirable. Demonstrates and models excellent “customer service” orientation, especially in the ability to interact with people at all levels within and outside the agency. Thinks independently and can make informed decisions when needed. Exercises extreme discretion with the ability to hold, balance, and transmit public and confidential information needed by various parties. Proficient in using MS Office products, particularly Word, Excel, Outloo,k and PowerPoint. Acquires or maintains proficiency in using Google Drive products, including Docs, Sheets, and Forms. Valid CA Driver’s license Auto insurance: Personal vehicle may be used for business-related purposes; it is recommended that you inform your auto insurance carrier. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES: Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, policies, standards, and prescribed procedures. Demonstrates cultural awareness and provides respectful, client-centered care. Maintains knowledge of community resources for client referrals Attend work regularly, adhering to policies on absences and tardiness. Understands and applies legal requirements, including confidentiality and risk management. Timekeeping & Attendance Responsibilities Accurately record work hours each day by clocking in/out at scheduled start, break, lunch, and end times. Take all required meal and rest breaks in compliance with state, federal, and agency policies. Review and submit timesheets by established deadlines to ensure timely payroll processing. Notify supervisor promptly of any scheduling conflicts, absences, tardiness, or timekeeping issues. Maintain consistent and reliable attendance to support team and program operations. Follow organizational policies and procedures related to overtime, schedule changes, and paid/unpaid leave. Correct and/or report any timekeeping discrepancies immediately to the supervisor for resolution. TEAM COMMITMENT: Viewed by others as an effective team member who is flexible, cooperative, and willing to assist others, and acts as a resource to team members and clients where appropriate. Handles difficult or conflict situations constructively and seeks appropriate assistance. Takes accountability for own actions and accepts constructive criticism. Attends all mandatory meetings and staff meetings as required, and actively participates in other departmental professional development, including providing training and consultation. Observes and keeps self-informed about activities in the department and makes recommendations for change. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, managers in other departments, senior management, and executive staff, and community stakeholders. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions, and complaints from other departments and individuals to maintain goodwill within the agency. WORKING CONDITIONS and JOB SETTING: Ability to occasionally or frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms above shoulders While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to sit; walk; talk and hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, crawl, reach, and stretch. The employee is occasionally required to move around the office Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus May require travel, dependent on agency needs The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Can work under deadlines Performing general physical activities such as picking up, moving, and using objects, tool’s or controls The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. BENEFITS: Excellent Health benefits package for you and your family, including: Medical, dental, and vision benefits with 95% employee and 80% dependent employer premium contributions, and employer-paid life insurance. Vacation, 15 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days upon accrual Employee Assistance Plan to support you and your family’s well-being and finances Pet Plan Benefit: PetPlus Product and Prescription Discounts, Pet Assure Veterinary Discounts, AskVet 24/7 Pet Telehealth, and ThePetTag Lost Pet Recovery Service 403(b) retirement plan Work-life wellbeing & excellent work hours La Familia understands the importance of work-life balance! Our therapists enjoy flexible scheduling options, including hybrid work arrangements, to ensure high-quality client care while maintaining their well-being. License and Certification renewals reimbursed. Supportive/Collaborative work environment Opportunities for Growth and Professional Development: We believe in growing together. As a team member, you’ll have access to structured mentorship and ongoing training. Whether you’re pursuing licensure or looking to specialize in clinical psychology, we support your growth every step of the way. #J-18808-Ljbffr