Peer Partner I

Pacific Clinics•Fresno, CA

About The Position

Peer Partners use relevant lived experience with challenges or issues to support, guide, and mentor others facing similar circumstances. They offer empathy, understanding, and practical advice to help individuals navigate challenges, promoting recovery, empowerment, and community connection. The role provides peer-based support and mentorship, builds trusting and nonjudgmental relationships, and helps individuals identify strengths, set goals, develop self-advocacy skills, and connect with community resources. Peer Partners collaborate with service providers and team members, maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries, and document interactions and progress according to program guidelines. The position may involve unsupervised contact with children and may require driving on agency business. A full background check and TB exam are required. Current First Aid/CPR certification is required. Driving on agency business requires an acceptable motor vehicle record and appropriate insurance coverage. The stated initial compensation is $23.00–$27.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and internal equity considerations; qualified positions may receive a 7.5% bilingual differential. Benefits eligibility begins on day one, subject to eligibility requirements based on employment status.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; two years of relevant experience may substitute for one year of education.
Directly related experience as a recipient of behavioral health services, recovery services, or systems involvement (such as mental health, substance use, or foster care) is required.
Current First Aid/CPR certification.
For driving on agency business, an acceptable motor vehicle record and appropriate insurance coverage are required.
Must complete a full background check and TB exam.
Ability to build trust and rapport through empathy and shared experience.
Effective verbal communication and active listening skills.
Ability to share personal experiences in a supportive, respectful, and appropriate way.
Understanding of recovery principles, empowerment, and self-determination.
Knowledge of local resources, services, and peer support tools.
Cultural humility and sensitivity when working with diverse populations.
Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality.
Dependability and consistency in providing peer support.
Basic organizational and time management skills.
Willingness to work collaboratively with staff, providers, and other peers.
Openness to feedback, supervision, and continued learning.
Familiarity with note-taking or documentation practices as required by the program.
Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with reasonable accommodations where applicable; physical demands include occasional standing, walking, sitting, handling objects or controls, reaching, climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, talking, hearing, tasting, or smelling, and occasionally lifting or moving up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and adjusting focus.

Nice To Haves

A 7.5% bilingual differential is available for qualified positions.

Responsibilities

Provide peer-based support and mentorship to individuals facing similar life challenges.
Share personal experiences respectfully and supportively to foster hope and connection.
Build trusting, nonjudgmental relationships to support individuals in their recovery or growth journey.
Offer guidance, encouragement, and practical strategies for navigating systems and life challenges.
Assist individuals in identifying strengths, setting goals, and developing self-advocacy skills.
Connect individuals to community resources, support groups, and relevant services.
Encourage empowerment, resilience, and personal responsibility.
Collaborate with service providers and team members as part of a holistic support network.
Maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality in peer interactions.
Document interactions and progress in accordance with program guidelines.
May drive on agency business.