Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist I/Ii - Extra Hire

Salary: $18.46 - $28.59 Hourly
Location : San Andreas, CA
Job Type: Extra-Hire Temporary - No Benefits
Job Number: 2023-00043
Department: Health & Human Services Agency
Division: HHSA - Mental Health
Opening Date: 05/09/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Description
Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist I: $17.92 - $21.76
Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist II: $22.84 - $27.76
Hours will be: M / W / F from 9:00 - 2:00
Under direct supervision, the incumbent will be responsible for development and on-going provision of peer recovery and support services including: monitoring, informing, supporting, assisting and empowering consumers and family members/caregivers who directly or indirectly receive Behavioral Health services.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist I
This is the entry-level position in the Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist series. Incumbents in the Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist series are unique in that they have personal lived experience with Behavioral Health and/or recovery challenges themselves, and/or they may be the caregivers/family members of individual(s) with Behavioral Health and recovery challenges. The Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist I is expected to possess the ability to work in a trainee capacity performing necessary Peer Support work under direct supervision. The Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist I initially receives close supervision and is expected to develop best-practice wellness and recovery skills and techniques through experience and on-the-job training and instruction.
Incumbents perform duties of increasing responsibility as expertise is gained. The Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist I is distinguished from the Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist II classification series by the limited degree of responsibility and decision-making afforded to incumbents.
Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist II
This is the journey level in the Behavioral Health Recovery Peer Support Specialist flexible classification series. The Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist II is expected to possess the ability to work in a paraprofessional capacity, performing the necessary scope of their practice under general supervision.
The Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist II classification is distinguished from the Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist I by the degree of responsibility of tasks performed and independent judgment exercised by the incumbents.
Example of Duties

• Provides peer recovery and support assistance and mentoring to promote consumer engagement in supportive networks, natural supports, and activities within and outside the Behavioral Health system.

• Assesses the unique challenges faced by each consumer; assists consumers in successfully setting and meeting their recovery goals.
• Uses effective listening and motivational interviewing techniques to engage consumers in goal setting to promote successful change.

• Serves as a mentor/role model demonstrating competency in recovery, effective coping skills and self-help strategies.
• Provides encouragement, motivation and support to clients seeking to establish or strengthen their recovery.
• Develops effective working relationships with agencies and organizations to advocate for client and family/caregiver empowerment.
• Provides outreach to consumers and community members to link them to services and help overcome barriers to participation in mental health services.

• Assists consumers in building or maintaining personal support networks and in developing social skills needed to maintain positive interpersonal relationships.

• Assists in facilitating peer self-help/recovery groups for consumers, family members, and caregivers.
• Attends and participates in special events, conferences, workshops and trainings.
• Assists in organizing training activities and with providing educational materials on Behavioral Health Recovery for community groups, Behavioral Health consumers, family members, and staff.
• Recommends and makes referrals to appropriate programs and/or services.
• Transports consumers to and from medical and social service appointments, and the Peer Wellness Center.
• Performs basic typing and computer tasks.
• Documents all activities as required.
• Completes all required staff trainings, as assigned.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist II

• Facilitates peer self-help/recovery groups for consumers, family members, and caregivers.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of interventions and activities.
• Accesses, utilizes, and maintains electronic records and files, including electronic health record.

Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Mental health issues within the targeted population groups; principles of mental health recovery and strength-based approach to Peer Support; familiarity with community resources and service agencies, including both private and other public agencies, social and economic problems which call for the use of public and private county services.
Ability to:
Plan, organize, coordinate, and manage tasks as assigned; communicate orally and in writing on a variety of issues; develop and maintain harmonious relationships with employees, public officials, community groups, other agencies and the general public.
Education, Training and Experience:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Must have personal lived experience, as a current or past consumer of mental health or co-occurring Behavioral Health services or family member or caregiver of a current or former mental health or co-occurring Behavioral Health services consumer.
Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist I
Six months of paid or volunteer experience providing direct mental Health Peer Support or peer recovery services to individuals or working with family members/caregivers of individuals with mental health issues.
Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist II
One year of working directly with consumers in a public Behavioral Health or similar setting. An Associate Degree in Human Services or a related field may be substituted for experience.
Promotion to Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist II is considered on a merit basis upon completion of the minimum qualifications, including Peer Support Specialist Certification and is subject to the recommendation of the MHSA Support Services Supervisor, and the approval of the HHSA Deputy Director/Director of Behavioral Health.
Special Requirements
Possession of an appropriate California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist II
Current California Peer Support Specialist Certification:

• A Peer Support Specialist must complete the certification requirements, as identified, and receive certification, prior to providing services as a certified
• Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
• Minimum Qualifications for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists; A Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist: Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Provide a government-issued identification with photograph, such as driver's license, identification card, or passport.
• Possess a high school diploma, equivalent degree, or higher. Submission of educational transcripts are required.
• Self-identify as an individual with lived experience, a Peer.
• Be willing to share their experience as a person with lived experience.
• Have a strong dedication to recovery.
• Agree, in writing, to adhere to the California Department of Health Care Services Code of Ethics for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists in California.
• Successfully complete and demonstrate completion of an 80-hour training covering California's 17 core competencies for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists. Training must be obtained from a Cal MHSA-approved training program.
• Successfully pass the state-approved Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification exam

Bargaining Unit 7 - Service Employees International Union Local 1021
For available Health/Dental/Vision insurance please visit the County Please note that Extra-hire positions that are benefitted, are only offered our CORE medical plan and are not offered dental or vision.
NEW* Assist-To-Own program to help Couny employees purchase a home.
Program Highlights:

• Down Payment Assistance, up to 5.5% of the Total Mortgage Loan.
• Available with purchase of a primary residence.
• Variety of Mortgage Loan options (FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional Mortgage Loans).
• No first-time homebuyer requirement to qualify.
• Flexible guidelines: Minimum FICO 640; Maximum DTI 50%.
• Flexible income limits, up to moderate income levels; no income limits for FHA and VA.

For more information, vists
Boot Allowance: $150 per year and is distributed once a year, in the first full pay period in the month of December. Qualifying Classifications: Registered EH Specialists, EH Techs, OSS Engineers, Fleet Manager, Junior Engineer, Mechanic series, Sheriff's Mechanic, Public Works Inspector, Road Maintenance Worker series, Integrated Waste Worker series, AG Techs, and AG Biologists, and Recycling Program Coordinator I/II, Permit Tech I/II, Engineering Tech I/II assigned to the Rock Creek Landfill facility, and Air Pollution Control Tech.
Uniform Allowance: $600 per calendar year split into monthly payments. Payments will be made monthly on the second pay check. Qualifying classifications: Custodian series, facility maintenance worker series, facilities maintenance engineer.
Extra-Hire:
Extra-hire employees are not eligible for step advances, vacation, seniority rights, holiday pay or other certain employee benefits. They are entitled to 24 hours of sick leave per year and eligilbe for the county's CORE Medical plan but not eligible for dental or vision insurance.
Vacation days:
0 - 3 complete years = 80 hours per year.
After 6 months you can take your first week.
3 - 10 complete years = 120 hours per year
10 years+ = 160 per year
Holidays: 13 paid holidays per year.
Life Insurance: $50,000.00 County paid
Sick Leave: 12 days annual sick leave accrual with unlimited accumulation.
Sick leave is accrued at 3.69 hours for each full 80 hours of payroll period.
60 hours of sick leave can be used for immediate family, parent spouse, child or sibling.
Merit: After successfully completing twenty-six (26) pay periods, a 5% merit increase may be granted. Merit increases may be granted annually thereafter to the top step.
Probation Period: New employees remain in a probationary status for 26 pay periods..
Longevity Incentives @ 2.5% for each of the following:

• 5.5 years (if hired before March 28, 2005)
• 6 years
• 10 years
• 15 years
• 20 years
• 25 years

Bi-Lingual pay: $75 per month for specific approved job classifications.
Flexible Spending: Pre-Tax Medical Reimbursement - Max contribution of $2,500 annually
Flexible Spending: Pre-Tax Dependent Care Account - Max contribution of $5,000 annually
Section 125 Plan: Additional insurance is available through the Section 125 plan and may be purchased from a representative during open enrollment or by appointment when they are on-site.
AFLAC
Heart & Stroke Insurance
Cancer Insurance
Accident Insurance
Universal Life Insurance
Short Term Disability Insurance
?LEGALSHIELD
CALPERS RETIREMENT INFORMATION:
CalPERS:
CLASSIC MEMBERS: 2% at 55
PEPRA MEMBERS: 2% at 62
Extra-Hire's will be enrolled into Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) unless you are already a member of CalPERS.
Additional Retirement Plan:
The County offers a 457 Government plan. Employees can contribute u to this deferred compensation plan (Pre or Post Tax options). The County utilizes VALIC.
Participating employees will receive a County paid match of up to $50 a month.