Certified Peer Support Specialist

GET TO KNOW US

For more than a century, Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services (VDM) has been dedicated to supporting children and families across Los Angeles County through high-quality programs and compassionate care. Our goal is to help children and families build strong foundations that support growth, stability, and meaningful opportunities throughout their lives. Many of the individuals we serve have faced long-standing challenges, and we are committed to meeting families where they are with respect and understanding. Vista Del Mar is guided by values centered on growth, opportunity, fairness, and excellence in service.

OUR CULTURE

At Vista Del Mar, our work is strengthened by the people we serve and the dedicated staff who support them. We strive to create an environment where everyone is treated with dignity, care, and respect. We recognize that personal experiences and life circumstances shape how individuals engage within their communities, and we actively work to reduce barriers while improving access and outcomes for families. Vista Del Mar is committed to fostering a workplace rooted in care, collaboration, professional growth, and mutual support, where each individual feels welcomed and valued. We believe meaningful action is the foundation of lasting trust. We welcome qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. Relevant professional and lived experience that supports effective service delivery to children and families is valued. All employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, experience, and organizational needs.

MISSION:

Vista Del Mar provides a trauma-responsive continuum of services to empower children, youth, and families in Southern California to lead fulfilling lives.

Overall Function: The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides recovery-oriented, culturally appropriate support to youth participating in the residential Innovative Model of Care (IMC) program. Responsibilities include attending on and off-campus activities with participants, and attending treatment team, clinical and program development meetings. The PSS promotes engagement, socialization, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, natural support and are trauma aware.

Drawing upon lived experience of recovery from substances and other challenges, the PSS serves as a positive role model who inspires hope demonstrating that recovery is possible. The PSS supports participants in developing their individualized path toward sustained recovery and wellness. As a fully integrated member of the treatment team, the PSS provides highly individualized, community-based support and promotes self-determination, healthy decision-making, and greater independence.

The PSS also offers valuable insight and consultation to team members, helping foster a culture in which each youth's perspective, preferences, and experiences are acknowledged, understood, respected, and incorporated into treatment, rehabilitation, and community-based healthy activities. Through relevant shared life experiences, the PSS helps the team better understand and appreciate each participant's unique perspective and personal experience.

Reports to: Clinical Program Manager -Vista RISE

Essential Job Duties (other duties may be assigned):

1. Advocate for program participants in out of home care and during their transition to stable housing and into the community.

2. Complete all required documentation accurately, thoroughly, and within established timelines, in accordance with program, agency, and regulatory requirements.

3. Develop a positive, respectful and trusting relationship with participants while assisting in creating appropriate boundaries.

4. Model recovery-oriented principles by demonstrating hope and healing. Encourage participation in recovery supports, promoting healthy coping skills, and reinforcing a culture of health, resilience, and long-term recovery.

5. Engage with participants by establishing and building rapport, utilizing relationship-based, trauma informed and culturally sensitive interventions.

6. Provide support to participants while engaged in all treatment activities. Serve as a role model for healthy relationships.

7. Provide individualized support to participants to assist them in making healthy decisions in order to achieve the goals such as Employment, Educational, Relational, Leadership, Citizenship and Positive Socialization.

8. Assist in linking participants to available resources in the community. Support participants engagement to programmatic resources such as The Child Family Team, Milieu staff, Mental Health Providers and Community Youth Center.

9. Support participants in developing positive social and independent living skills by accompanying them into the community and helping them build confidence in accessing their requested referrals and resources.

10. Provide ongoing support, encouragement and understanding while creating a supportive relationship with appropriate boundaries.

11. Meet Clinical Program Manager weekly for individual supervision.

12. Meet with milieu staff frequently in order to receive updates on risks, concerns, schedule and plan for the day, etc.

13. Support and participate in the implementation of a Youth-Guided Care model (peer run meetings, Youth Council)

14. Continue to increase understanding, education and training associated with the position as a PSS

15. Maintain consistent communication with other team members, program management and youths.

16. Performs other related duties as assigned.

NOTE: The job duties listed are typical examples of the work performed by positions in this job classification. Not all duties assigned to every position are included, nor is it expected that all positions will be assigned every duty.

EXPECTED HOURS

This is a part-time position. Work hours may vary per week based on workload and business need. Evening, night and weekend hours as needed.

Compensation: $21-24 per hour

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
• Lived experience in recovery from a substance use and other challenges, with the ability to appropriately draw upon that experience to provide peer support and mentorship to program participants. Experience with the child welfare and/or probation systems is preferred.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Maintains all required licenses and certifications including State Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program. Must be registered/enrolled at time of hire.
• Valid California Driver License and a driving record acceptable to the Agency's insurance carrier.

Qualifications Required:

To perform this job successfully, the applicant must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Prior contact with, or received services from, Department of Juvenile Probation or Department of Child Family Services systems.

2. High school diploma or GED preferred.

3. Maintains all required licenses and certifications. • Valid California Driver License and a driving record acceptable to the Agency's insurance carrier.

4. Must have the physical, visual, verbal and hearing ability to interact with others in therapeutic, athletic, recreational and leisure groups.

5. Ability to learn and perform First Aid, CPR and CPI

Vista Del Mar's Credentials:

Our nationally recognized clinical programs have been awarded a Gold Seal by the Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation possible. In addition, our educational facilities are fully accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and our graduate degree program is recognized worldwide for its high quality of instructions.

Equal Employment Statement

Vista Del Mar is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Therefore, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Vista Del Mar will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations as part of this commitment.