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Lead Peer Support Coach

Front St Master
May 07
Full-time
On-site
Santa Cruz, California, United States
$28 - $28.50 USD yearly
Peer Support
Description

SUMMARY: The Lead Peer Support Coach draws on their lived experience of recovery from mental health challenges, substance use, and/or personal history of being unhoused to provide mentorship and stabilization for residents of Harvey West Studios. In addition to direct service, this role provides Functional Zone leadership for Peer Coaches agency-wide, ensuring high standards of peer-led engagement, trauma-informed care, and service documentation.

LEADERSHIP & FUNCTIONAL ZONE RESPONSIBILITIES

Agency-Wide Peer Mentorship

  • Lived Experience Leadership: Serves as the senior mentor for Peer Coaches across the HSTEAM, Harvey West, and IHART teams, providing technical support on how to effectively share lived experience to drive client outcomes.
  • Housing Focus Mentorship: Guides Peer Coaches in leveraging their own lived experience to support residents through the emotional challenges of transitioning to permanent housing, including move-in trauma and anxiety.
  • Staff Onboarding: Assists in the training of new peer staff, specifically focused on the requirements and site-specific safety at Harvey West.
  • Peer Advocacy: Acts as the primary advocate for the peer perspective within the agency’s clinical leadership, ensuring program rules and engagement strategies remain low-barrier and trauma-informed.

Data & Compliance Oversight

  • Service Tracking Lead: Ensures that all peer staff understand and meet the BHBH requirement of tracking 100% of service units in the County EHR.
  • Outcome Monitoring: Assists the Peer Team Manager in monitoring the goal of ensuring  at least 80% of Harvey West residents receive at least two peer contacts per month.

HARVEY WEST DIRECT SERVICE & STABILIZATION

  • Site-Based Engagement & Trust Building
  • Move-In Stabilization: Draws on lived experience to build trust and reduce barriers to engagement during the critical first 30 days of tenancy at Harvey West, applying trauma-informed principles to meet residents where they are and support early housing stability.
  • Tenancy Skills: Models and teaches the specific life skills needed to maintain a unit after long-term homelessness, including  managing a private space and neighbor relations.
  • Crisis De-escalation: Acts as a lead responder for behavioral health crises at Harvey West, utilizing lived-experience perspectives to de-escalate residents and prevent police or hospital involvement when possible.
Social Integration & Community Building
  • Group Facilitation: Leads peer-run support groups and social activities at Harvey West to foster a sense of community and reduce resident isolation.
  • Community Linkages: Proactively connects residents to natural supports (recovery groups, faith communities, and social networks) within the first 60 days of their residency.


Qualifications

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Lived Experience: Self-identified current or former consumer of mental health or substance use services and/or an individual with lived experience of homelessness

  • Education: High School Diploma or GED; completion of a recognized Peer Support Specialist training program preferred.
  • Experience: 2+ years of experience in a Peer Support role. Demonstrated ability to lead or mentor others is required
  • Certification: Valid First Aid/CPR and NVCI (Non-Violent Crisis Intervention) certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire)
  • Skills: Excellent communication and boundaries; ability to work effectively in streets, shelters, and permanent supportive housing environments. Proficiency in basic computer applications for documentation