Peer Support Specialist

Job Title: Peer Support Specialist

Pgm/Dept: Residential Treatment

Reports to: Program Director

Classification: Regular, Full-Time, FLSA Non-Exempt

Pay Range: $25-$28.85 hourly

Schedule: Day and Swing Shifts Available

About Us: Bonita House, Inc. (BHI) is a nonprofit mental health agency with multiple sites in Alameda County and an operating budget of $14.5 million. Founded in 1971, BHI provides social rehabilitation including a full range of Medi-Cal services to adults with co-occurring serious mental health and substance use disorders.

Our Mission: Building community, dignity, hope and wellness through services that support recovery and self-sufficiency with people who are living with serious mental health challenges.

Our Values: Compassion: Committed to caring, dignity and kindness. Respect: Honor each individual and provide highly ethical services. Progress: Leading the way in creating opportunities to change for the better. Resilience: Channeling hope, building strengths to successfully recover, adapt and grow. Embracing Differences: Honor and celebrate our diverse communities and individual uniqueness.

Position Summary

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Peer Support Specialist to join our multidisciplinary team. The Peer Support Specialist will play a vital role in providing guidance, empathy, and mentorship to clients undergoing treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. This position offers a unique opportunity to leverage personal experiences in recovery to inspire hope, facilitate growth, and promote resilience among program participants.

Primary Responsibilities

• Peer Mentorship: Establish rapport and build trusting relationships with clients based on shared experiences of recovery.

• Individual Support: Provide one-on-one guidance and encouragement to clients, offering emotional support and practical strategies for managing challenges related to mental health and substance use.

• Group Facilitation: Lead peer support groups and workshops focusing on topics such as coping skills, relapse prevention, self-care, and recovery-oriented goal setting.

• Advocacy: Serve as an advocate for clients within the program and in the community, helping to address barriers to treatment and access to resources.

• Collaboration: Collaborate with the clinical team to integrate peer support into the overall treatment plan, participating in case conferences and contributing insights from the peer perspective.

• Documentation: Maintain accurate and confidential records of client interactions and progress, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.

• Continuing Education: Stay informed about advancements in the field of behavioral health and peer support, participating in relevant training opportunities and professional development activities.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required

• Certified Peer Specialist and/or completed Peer Support Training

• Two (2) years' full-time experience, or part-time equivalent, working in a mental health program serving persons with severe and persistent mental disabilities, or a bachelor's degree with a major in psychology, social work or behavioral sciences

• Experience as a beneficiary of the public Behavioral Health system of care.

• Successful completion of Peer Support Training or Peer Employment Training.

• BHI conducts background checks on all candidates who have received a conditional job offer. Satisfactory completion of background checks is a requirement for employment with the agency.

• A valid driver's license, reliable personal vehicle, personal auto insurance as required by law, and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are essential job requirements.

• Willingness to use the company vehicle to drive clients to appointments and groups, etc.

• local travel as required to fulfill primary job responsibilities and duties.

• Passion for the BHI mission.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Lived experience with mental health and substance use disorders and a minimum of two years in sustained recovery.

• Completion of a Peer Support Specialist training program or certification preferred.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and empathetically with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Knowledge of recovery-oriented principles and evidence-based practices in behavioral health.

• Demonstrated ability to establish healthy boundaries and maintain professionalism in peer relationships.

• Familiarity with community resources and services for individuals with co-occurring disorders in California.

• Proficiency in basic computer skills for documentation and communication purposes.

• Strong verbal and written skills and the ability to present information effectively.

• Good interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.

• Organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to build supportive and respectful working relationships with staff, participants, and stakeholders in the community.

Physical Requirements

Physical demands include continual sitting, typing, and repetitive computer use for up to 8 hours a day. The position also requires frequent communication with others, including hearing and speaking clearly with individuals and groups, in person and via phone and video calls. Ability to lift 15 pounds at times. Occasional local travel is required. These requirements are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Bonita House, Inc. is committed to providing equal opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.