Peer Support Specialist

Felton Institute • Santa Rosa, CA

4h • Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist supports individuals living with serious mental illness in establishing a path toward recovery and stability. The position provides care and case management, mental health and substance use recovery and wellness services, and crisis prevention and intervention as part of a multidisciplinary team at Felton Institute’s Bridge Housing site. The site is an 80-bed transitional recovery and community re-entry housing facility serving people experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions and/or substance use disorders. The program emphasizes client-centered support and connections to treatment and permanent housing, with a particular focus on Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court clients.

The Specialist conducts intakes and comprehensive assessments, helps clients develop service plans based on their recovery goals, advocates for participants across justice, shelter, hospital, and outpatient systems, and connects them with employment, vocational, housing, and life-skills supports. The role also includes building community support networks, facilitating peer self-help and educational groups, food preparation, accurate documentation, and participation in team meetings and case conferences. The Specialist follows confidentiality and reporting requirements and completes administrative work within required timelines.

This is a full-time, onsite, non-exempt position reporting to the Program Manager. The schedule is flexible to accommodate program and client needs and includes some evening and weekend hours. The position is union-represented by SEIU Local 1021. The stated hourly salary range is $32.00–$34.00, depending on experience. Benefits, subject to election and eligibility, include fully paid medical and dental plans, a health reimbursement card, paid personal, vacation, and sick time, and a 403(b) with company match.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent; required.
• At least one year of therapeutic intervention experience applying a comprehensive range of case-management and substance-abuse counseling, assessment, and crisis-intervention skills.
• Lived experience with mental health challenges and/or recovery from a substance use disorder, and prior involvement with the criminal justice system.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Wellness and Recovery Model, the Supported Employment Model, and other evidence-based practices.
• Ability to work cooperatively on a multidisciplinary team and with clients from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Food handler permit required to serve food at a residential care facility.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize projects.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluent Spanish speaking and writing ability.
• Ability to maintain proper documentation as determined by program requirements.
• Basic knowledge of computer software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.

Nice To Haves

• Associate of Arts (AA) degree or higher from an accredited institution.

Responsibilities

• Provide care and case management, mental health and substance use recovery and wellness services, and crisis prevention and intervention as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Conduct intakes and comprehensive assessments with adults who may have psychiatric and dual-diagnosis disabilities, including substance use disorders.
• Help clients create individual service plans based on recovery goals and steps to achieve them.
• Advocate for and liaise with participants within the criminal justice system, shelter system, hospitals, and outpatient services.
• Provide or connect participants with employment counseling, vocational rehabilitation, housing applications and placement, and life-skills training.
• Assist in developing community support systems and networks.
• Use motivational interviewing, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed approaches when delivering services.
• Set up and sustain peer self-help and educational groups.
• Prepare, store, or serve food as required.
• Maintain records after each client contact or service in accordance with Felton Institute documentation and program compliance standards.
• Maintain accurate, detailed observation and progress records for electronic data entry.
• Complete administrative tasks within required timelines, including chart completion and meeting attendance.
• Contribute to team meetings and case conferences by presenting cases, discussing clinical issues, and exchanging information and ideas.
• Follow laws regarding confidentiality and reporting requirements.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to meet program goals and objectives.

Benefits

• Fully paid medical and dental plans.
• Health reimbursement card.
• Paid time off, including personal, vacation, and sick time.
• 403(b) with company match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED