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Senior Certified Peer Support Specialist

County of Riverside
May 17
Full-time
On-site
Throughout Riverside County, California, United States
$57,324.80 - $84,801.60 USD yearly
Peer Support
For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section.
ABOUT THE POSITION



Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is seeking a qualified Senior Certified Peer Support Specialist to support the Peer Certification program in Riverside, CA.
Senior Certified Peer Support Specialists draw upon their advanced lived experience in behavioral health or substance use recovery, combined with formal State Certification, to provide leadership, training, mentorship, and direct peer support services. In this role, incumbents facilitate certification trainings, support trainees, collaborate with clinical teams, and model recovery-oriented practices while promoting hope, empowerment, and resilience. Senior Peer Specialists serve as role models within the peer workforce, offering guidance, structured training, and ongoing support to new and existing Peer Support Specialists. They ensure that peer services are delivered in alignment with state standards, trauma-informed practices, and RUHS-BH values.
Competitive candidates will possess a CALMHSA state certification and prior Certified Peer Support Specialist work experience. 

Application Information:
Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received.


Schedule: 9/80, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5: 30 PMMeet the Team!
Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is a leading provider of mental health and substance use services in Riverside County. With a dedicated team of professionals, including psychiatrists, clinicians, peer specialists, and paraprofessionals, RUHS-BH serves over 45,000 individuals annually.
We are committed to delivering culturally competent, evidence-based care across all ages. Our programs, including Mental Health Services, Substance Use Services, and the Public Guardian’s Office, address the diverse needs of our community.
At RUHS Behavioral Health, you’ll join a compassionate, innovative team where your skills make a real difference. We offer opportunities for growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact.
If you’re passionate about advancing your career while improving mental health in Riverside County, RUHS Behavioral Health is the place for you!
For more information, please visit www.ruhealth.org/behavioral-health







EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Provide meaningful self-disclosure of personal lived experience of behavioral health-related or substance abuse-related recovery and resiliency to the people served in the system of care and the peer employees train, support and mentor (required by State Certification)

• Act as a resource person for and assist in the training, work assignment and supervision of other peer specialists. 

• Provide guidance and leadership in the solution of the most complex consumer service and case related situations. 

• Inform, train, support, and empower consumers, families and caregivers who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services.

• Communicate, represent and promote the consumer, families and caregivers' perspective within the behavioral health system. 

• Develop and co-facilitate self-help groups for consumers, youth, family members, and caregivers. 

• Attend, participate and take a leadership role in special events, conferences, workshops, and trainings within the behavioral health system and in the community. 

• Develop and promote activities, programs and resources which support consumers, families and caregivers in achieving their goals.

• Support the appropriate recognition, acceptance and understanding of social and cultural factors in the provision of behavioral health services. 

• Develop effective personal and departmental working relationships with agencies and organizations to advocate for consumer, family and caregiver empowerment. 

• Help prepare and support consumers and families/caregivers at consumer progress consultation meetings and at a variety of formal and informal hearings.

• Help consumers and those who support them to articulate their needs. 

• Focus on and is sensitive to consumer, family and caregiver satisfaction with the services received and general satisfaction with behavioral health services; investigate the most sensitive complaints.

• Assist and promote consumers and those who support them in support networks and activities. 

• Document all activities as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Possession of a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency or high school proficiency certificate is required.

Experience: Depending on the assignment, current or previous recovery experience as a consumer of behavioral health and/or substance abuse services or as a family member/caregiver of a former or current behavioral health consumer. 

AND 

One year as a Medi-Cal Certified Peer Support Specialist, or an out of state peer support certification holder with two (2) years of direct full time peer support work experience, with the understanding that Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification is required within six (6) months of the employment start date. 

Knowledge of: The basic principles and practices of leadership and training; the needs and difficulties faced by clients, caregivers and families of behavioral health and/or substance abuse consumers; the public and/or private agency services available for families, children and adults with serious behavioral health needs, such as schools, social services and other systems; the self-help and consumer oriented treatment models; methods to effectively communicate with consumers, families and caregivers, the community, and the behavioral health treatment team. 

Ability to: Act in a lead capacity; understand the principles of the behavioral health system and effectively work within the system; effectively represent and advocate for the consumer perspective within the community and behavioral health system; understand and articulate the cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns; effectively communicate the workings of the behavioral health system to service consumers, parents, family members, and caregivers; develop and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of community agencies and organizations; obtain and record accurate information for case documentation and other reports.

Other Requirements
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.

A valid Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification must be obtained within six (6) months of the employment start date. Employees holding a Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification must be recertified every two (2) years. Failure to maintain a valid Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification may lead to termination.



SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Application Status: To confirm your application was received or check on the status of your application, log-in to www.GovernmentJobs.com, click on your name in the upper right corner, and click on “Applications & Status.”
Sign Up for Job Alerts: Go to www.RC-HR.com, click on “Careers,” click on “County Job Openings,”  and click on “Subscribe to Job Alerts” icon.
For questions regarding this recruitment:
Please contact Edgar Manzo at (951) 555 - 0951 or EMCardenas@rivco.org.
Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.
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APPLICATION INFORMATION
Veteran's Preference 
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application.  Documents include a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, a letter of spouse's disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veteran's Administration. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here:  https://rivcocob.org/board-policies

 
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability 

 
Proof of Education 
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).
 
Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

 
Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

 
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment).  A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

 
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

 
General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies. 

 
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
 
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com. 
 
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