Peer Support Specialist-CARES

Except in the case of an undue hardship, La Familia provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities when the accommodations are necessary to enable the persons to perform the essential functions of the job. The Agency also provides reasonable accommodations when necessary based on religious needs. Individuals requiring workplace accommodations must discuss their needs with La Familia Human Resources. Individuals seeking accommodations for disabilities are typically required to provide medical documentation supporting the existence of a disability, the need for the accommodation, and what workplace modifications will enable the employee to perform the essential functions of the job.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

We are seeking a Peer Support Specialist to join the team at our CARES Navigation Center mental health diversion program, which partners with Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement officers to divert individuals with mental illness and substance use disorder away from the criminal justice system and helps them connect to support services. The team consists of peer staff with lived experience in the criminal justice system. CARES Navigation Center will provide brief respite, de-escalation, assessment, case management planning, resource and referral provision,  support and follow-up to individuals who have or may immediately commit low-level criminal offenses. This team will provide services throughout Alameda County.

This role will uphold and champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture. 

This position is covered under the  SEIU 1021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition to the established base pay, members will receive negotiated annual increases as follows:

• January 2027: 3% base pay increase

Future increases will be subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• The Peer Support Specialist will meet law enforcement officers at point of engagement onsite and in the community to assess and transport individuals to our navigation center and to treatment services.
• Perform outreach to build relationships with clients using a trauma-informed peer support model, offers emotional support and/or crisis support from shared experiences focusing on connection, empowerment and validation, while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Engage clients with goal setting methods to identify services, resources, and partners relevant to their situation and to develop action steps and timelines based to increase success towards client’s self-determined goals, and monitor success.
• Perform assessments, gather and maintain data for grant reporting requirements; including documenting progress and uploading case records.
• Work with team around assessments and individual Risk Reduction Plans for each client
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, regular training sessions, and other meetings as required
• Maintain contact, as indicated by program guidelines, offering support and resources in limited on-going capacity. 
• Collaborate with the Program Supervisor and Clinician in daily reviews on a client-by-client basis to debrief and establish service recommendations
• Provide complete and thorough documentation, e.g. Salesforce Peer Assessment, progress notes, and report client progress to supervisors and enter into Salesforce database
• Work with team to keep the center and transport vehicle sanitized and clean for the safety of clients and staff
• Respond to work-related calls and emails in a timely manner
• Utilize motivational interviewing and other assigned interventions to assist clients
• Must maintain confidentiality concerning clients access and maintain electronic records and files
• Maintain compliance with all quality improvement measures and County requirements

Other 

• Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines.  Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, policies, standards and prescribed procedures.   

• Demonstrates an awareness of and sensitivity to clients including cultural and ethical beliefs; and implements care in a thorough, skillful, consistent and continuous manner.

• Knowledge of community resources for client referrals.
• Attends work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness.  Provides adequate notice to supervisor and management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests. 
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal issues including client confidentiality and risk management in all aspects of client care and department functioning. 
• Performs other duties as necessary.
• Attend trainings and participate in events relevant to key responsibilities.
• Track and regularly report on key metrics for the responsible function areas.
• Leads and collaborates on projects supporting Agency objectives. 

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Leading the self:

• Demonstrates ethics and integrity 
• Displays drive and purpose
• Manages self and adapts to change
• Exhibiting leadership stature
• Practice self-awareness and continuous learning 

INCLUSION, RESPECT, AND COLLABORATION:

• Practices cultural humility and cultural responsiveness when engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, while practicing appropriate boundaries. 
• Develop relationships with their teams and across the organization to foster cultural humility and cultural responsiveness, teamwork, and collaboration, ensuring positive outcomes for the organization both internally and externally. 
• Utilize effective communication skills to listen and respond with empathy, while adopting a proactive and collaborative approach to drive innovative change. This approach should be sensitive to the organization's culture and its role within the community.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or GED required 
• Lived experience working with mental illness, homelessness, and/or substance use recovery 
• Experience working with adults of diverse cultural backgrounds 
• Able to work independently, exercise good judgment, and have common sense  
• Able to work flexible hours 
• Proficient computer skills
• Exhibit excellent interpersonal/communication skills 
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English preferred but not required
• Experience in non-profit and community-based organizations preferred. 
• Demonstrates and models excellent “customer service” orientation and ability to work with diverse populations. 
• Exercises extreme discretion with the ability to hold, balance, and transmit public and confidential information needed by various parties. 
• Proficient in MS Office and Google Workspace products.
• Must have experience driving a passenger vehicle and have a valid CA Drivers License and clean driving record.
  • Auto insurance: If your vehicle is used for business-related purposes, it is recommended that you inform your auto insurance carrier.   
  • Must provide DMV printout.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates cultural awareness and provides respectful, client-centered care. 
• Maintains knowledge of community resources for client referrals 
• Attend work regularly, adhering to policies on absences and tardiness. 
• Understands and applies legal requirements, including confidentiality and risk management.

Timekeeping & Attendance Responsibilities

• Accurately record work hours each day by clocking in/out at scheduled start, break, lunch, and end times.
• Take all required meal and rest breaks in compliance with state, federal, and agency policies.
• Review and submit timesheets by established deadlines to ensure timely payroll processing.
• Notify supervisor promptly of any scheduling conflicts, absences, tardiness, or timekeeping issues. 
• Maintain consistent and reliable attendance to support team and program operations.
• Follow organizational policies and procedures related to overtime, schedule changes, and paid/unpaid leave.
• Correct and/or report any timekeeping discrepancies immediately to the supervisor for resolution.

TEAM COMMITMENT:

• Viewed by others as an effective team member who is flexible, cooperative, and willing to assist others, and acts as a resource to team members and clients, where appropriate.
• Handles difficult or conflict situations constructively and seeks appropriate assistance.
• Accepts accountability and constructive feedback.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and staff meetings as required, and actively participates in other departmental professional development, including providing training and consultation.
• Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, managers in other departments, senior management, executive staff, and community stakeholders.
• Handles requests, suggestions, and complaints from other departments and individuals in a tactful and effective manner to maintain goodwill within the agency.  

WORKING CONDITIONS and JOB SETTING:

• Ability to occasionally or frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms above the shoulders 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit, walk, talk, and hear, use hands to keyboard, fingers, handle, and feel, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, crawl, reach, and stretch.
• The employee is occasionally required to move around the office
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus 
• May require travel, dependent on agency needs
• Can work under deadlines
• Performing general physical activities such as picking up, moving, and using objects, tools, or controls
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds frequently.
• Ability to stand and move from one location to another daily. 
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to visually focus on near and far items, and to be able to switch between them.
• Ability to reliably report to work on time and perform the position's required tasks as scheduled
• Ability to grasp and carry items
• Ability to hear and effectively communicate with co-workers, clients, and the public
• Ability to identify potential issues within the workplace, determine an appropriate means of avoiding and/or resolving the issues, work with others to address the issues, and carry out organized strategies for resolving and preventing similar issues in the future
• Ability to process information and data for use within the organization

BENEFITS:

• Excellent Health benefits package for you and your family, including: 
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits with 95% employee and 80% dependent employer premium contributions, and employer-paid life insurance.
• Vacation, 15 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days upon accrual
• Employee Assistance Plan to support you and your family’s well-being and finances 
• Pet Plan Benefit: 
  • PetPlus Product and Prescription Discounts, Pet Assure Veterinary Discounts, AskVet 24/7 Pet Telehealth, and ThePetTag Lost Pet Recovery Service
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Work-life wellbeing & excellent work hours
  • La Familia understands the importance of work-life balance! Our therapists enjoy flexible scheduling options, including hybrid work arrangements, to ensure high-quality client care while maintaining their well-being.
• License and Certification renewals reimbursed.
• Supportive/Collaborative work environment 
• Opportunities for Growth and Professional Development
  • We believe in growing together. As a team member, you’ll have access to structured mentorship and ongoing training. Whether you’re pursuing licensure or looking to specialize in clinical psychology, we support your growth every step of the way.
• This position is covered under the  SEIU 1021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition to the established base pay, members will receive negotiated annual increases as follows:
  • January 2027: 3% base pay increase
  • Future increases will be subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement