Mobile Crisis Outreach Team Pacoima - Peer Support Specialist
About The Position
Sycamores partners with the 988 mental health crisis hotline, which provides initial phone support and triages callers to Sycamores Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT) for in-person assistance. The team responds 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on a shift basis. Working alongside an MCOT clinician, the Peer Support Specialist provides timely crisis stabilization, safety planning, referrals to community resources, and follow-up support. The position uses an MCOT van to respond to calls and works in partnership with the 988 call center, police, sheriff, psychiatric hospitals, and ambulance transport companies. The Peer Support Specialist brings lived experience as a recipient of mental health services and/or experience with houselessness or system involvement. This personal and practical insight supports consumers—including adults, youth, children, and families—and the broader community. The specialist contributes expertise about recovery, symptom management, and living a satisfying life in society, while advocating for client voice, choice, self-determination, and participation in treatment, rehabilitation, and support-service decisions. The role provides consultation about community resources and services, including housing, mental health care, medical treatment, and substance-use services. In the field, the team evaluates people in crisis and takes measures to support their safety. When clinically necessary, the Peer Support Specialist works with the clinician to locate hospitals, arrange ambulance support, and coordinate care. Teams respond within a designated geographic area and use Sycamores vehicles, with two staff members responding together to provide added support and security.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Self-identify as having experience with recovery from mental illness or a substance-use disorder, either as a consumer of these services.
- If lived experience includes substance use, have at least two years of continuous sobriety before employment and maintain sobriety throughout employment.
- Willingness to share lived experience.
- Strong dedication to recovery.
- Agree in writing to adhere to the Code of Ethics.
- Maintain all required licenses and certifications.
- Valid California driver's license.
- Acceptable driving record under Agency policy.
- Proof of auto insurance meeting minimum coverage requirements.
- Complete a pre-employment background check, drug screen, and health screen after receiving a conditional offer.
- Ability to physically manage and/or de-escalate consumers or residents.
- Ability to perform frequent community driving with consumers.
- Ability to stand and walk frequently or continuously, and sit occasionally or intermittently.
- Ability to continuously use both upper extremities for fine motor tasks, including fingering, grasping, and forward reaching between waist and chest level; reaching at or above shoulder level may be necessary.
- Ability to bend, squat, kneel, push, pull, twist, and climb.
- Ability to occasionally lift and carry objects or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to use near vision, hearing, and verbal communication continuously for telephone calls, interactions, and job duties.
- Physical presence in the office during the shift.
- Ability to practice physical intervention for consumer safety according to training and policy.
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Nice To Haves
- Peer Support certification is preferred but not required.
Responsibilities
- Respond to crisis calls alongside an MCOT clinician and provide timely in-person support.
- Assist with crisis stabilization and safety planning, and provide follow-up support.
- Contribute lived experience and expertise about recovery and symptom management to the MCOT.
- Advocate for client voice, choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of services.
- Consult with consumers about community resources, including housing, mental health services, medical treatment, and substance-use services.
- Help evaluate individuals in crisis in the field and take measures to support their safety.
- Work with the clinician, when clinically necessary, to locate hospitals, coordinate ambulance support, and coordinate care.
- Drive the company vehicle to respond to calls and transport or accompany consumers in the community as required.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
High school or GED
