Job Details

Peer Support Specialist Trainee

Salary Range: $28.00 - $33.33 Hourly

Bilingual allowance, when applicable

Are you passionate about making a difference in behavioral health and supporting others on their recovery journey? The Behavioral Wellness Department is seeking dedicated individuals to fill two (2) Bilingual (English/Spanish) full-time Peer Support Specialist Trainee positions, with one (1) vacancy in Santa Barbara and one (1) vacancy in Lompoc. The selected candidates will be required to travel between operational sites in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc as part of their regular duties.

We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list for current and future full-time, part-time, extra help (temporary) and 1414* Peer Support Specialist Trainee vacancies in multiple locations which include Santa Barbara, and Lompoc for the Behavioral Wellness Department. Therefore, you must check the Individual Location(s) on the application and work types where you would be willing to accept an assignment for current and future employment. If you qualify for this position and pass the required selection steps, your name may be sent to the hiring managers of the programs where you have expressed interest in working.

*1414 vacancies may occur as a result of a leave of absence (Civil Service Rule 1414), and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under Civil Service Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department. The 1414 position is eligible for Full-Time benefits.

Additionally, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.

Under direct supervision, provide information, support, assistance and advocacy for clients and/or caregivers/family members of clients of behavioral health services (mental health and co-occurring substance use disorder). Incumbents in this class provide training, support, encouragement, and related duties to assist clients and family/caregivers in coping with immediate situations. Incumbents in these classes work within a system of interdisciplinary departmental teams and will provide feedback and perspective to the behavioral health system relative to the impact and effectiveness of the services provided.

This is the entry-level classification in the Behavioral Wellness Peer Specialist series. Incumbents may advance to the Peer Certified Support Specialist classification by successfully completing the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and meeting the minimum qualifications of that classification. The certification program may be completed while serving in the trainee role.

The two current vacancies are part of the Community Engagement team, with a focus on outreach, engagement, and education related to First Episode Psychosis (FEP). If interested in the current vacancies, please ensure you select the appropriate program option on question 9 of the supplemental questionnaire.

The First Episode Psychosis (FEP) program provides specialized, coordinated services for individuals experiencing the early signs or first episode of psychosis. The program follows California's Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) model, supported by Early Psychosis Intervention California (EPI-CAL), the state's designated Center of Excellence (COE) for this evidence-based practice.

The goal of the FEP program is to identify psychosis early, engage individuals in treatment as quickly as possible, and provide coordinated, recovery-oriented services that help people remain connected to their families, education, employment, and communities.

Peer Support Specialist Trainees assigned to the Community Engagement team will provide outreach, engagement, and education within the community to increase awareness of First Episode Psychosis, help individuals recognize early signs and symptoms, and connect individuals and families with appropriate resources, including the FEP program when needed.

La CLAVE is an evidence-based mental health outreach program and public health campaign designed to help the Latinx community identify symptoms of serious mental illness, specifically psychosis, and seek early professional treatment. Individuals selected for these positions will receive specialized training in FEP and La CLAVE to support their community outreach, education, and engagement efforts.

Bilingual: Bilingual – Speaking, Reading, and Writing Required: The ability to converse, read, and write fluently in English and Spanish is required. Note: You must self-certify on your application that you are fluent in English and Spanish. Hiring departments may test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications or removed from the employment list, in accordance to Civil Service Rules. Proficiency in Mixteco is highly desirable, but not required

The Ideal Candidate for the Behavioral Wellness Department:

• Has lived experience, or is a parent, guardian, caregiver or family member of someone with a behavioral health, alcohol or substance use disorder
• Is willing and able to share that experience with consumers to build credibility and empathy and to model recovery and real-life coping strategies
• Has experience serving people with severe and persistent mental illness
• Builds strong working relationships with diverse people and works well with all staff levels and contracted agencies
• Uses sound judgment in answering questions, releasing information, and weighing the consequences of decisions and recommendations
• Contributes to and documents client biopsychosocial evaluations, assessments and written plans of care
• Is computer literate for electronic health record documentation
• Recognizes and reports medication effects and side effects, and signs of substance intoxication or withdrawal
• Educates clients and families about the client's disposition and helps incorporate discharge planning into care

Founded in 1962, it is the mission of the Department of Behavioral Wellness to promote the prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction among individuals, families and communities, by providing effective leadership and delivering state-of-the-art, culturally competent services. The Department provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to 10,000 clients with mental illness and substance use disorders annually through its professional staff of over 400, in addition to its many contracted Community-Based Organization (CBO) providers.

For more information, please visit: www.countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness

Depending on the area of assignment, duties may include, but not limited to, the following:

1. Provides personal lived experience of behavioral health related to recovery and resiliency to the people served in the behavioral health system of care.
2. Supports the work of PEER Certified Support Specialists in informing, training, and empowering clients and families/caregivers of clients who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services.
3. Attends and participates in special events, conferences, workshops and trainings within the mental health system and in the community.
4. Assists individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges, including first-episode psychosis, and their family members in identifying their needs, accessing available resources, and navigating support services.
5. Serves as a role model for clients.
6. Supports the appropriate acceptance and understanding of social and cultural factors in the provision of behavioral health services.
7. Provide community members perspectives and information on services offered within Behavioral Wellness and how to access services and support.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must provide detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet the employment standards (minimum qualifications) listed below:

A high school diploma or GED equivalent; AND,

1. Experience interacting with behavioral health services or their systems of care; or
2. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Additional Qualifications: Incumbents must complete CalMHSA Peer Support Specialist training within the first year of hire.

Driver's License: A valid California Class C Driver's License may be required at the time of appointment depending on programmatic needs.

Knowledge of: basic English grammar and usage; characteristics of human behavior; and safe driving practices.

Ability to: learn and work effectively within the behavioral health system; advocate for and represent the client perspective; understand cultural and social factors that influence behavior; communicate behavioral health services and processes to clients, families, caregivers, and support systems; build and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations; gather and document accurate information; understand the needs of diverse individuals and families affected by behavioral health conditions; and connect clients with appropriate community resources and support services

Working Conditions: Will have occasional contact with clients who become hostile or violent and may be required to drive long distances in varying weather conditions