Certified Peer Support Specialist

Redwood Community Services Inc; Lakeport (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Redwood Community Services, Inc. Lakeport, CA seeks a Certified Peer Support Specialist to provide recovery-oriented, culturally sensitive services.

This full-time, 40-hour position focuses on engagement, self-sufficiency and trauma-informed care, using lived experience to support clients with mental health or substance use challenges. Qualified applicants have a High School Diploma or equivalent and must complete an 80-hour training within six months.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Possess a High School Diploma or equivalent degree.
• Must have experience with recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer or as a family member.
• Must pass the 80-hour training within 6 months of employment for Peer Support Specialist via CalMHSA-approved training.
• Funding is available to support certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized guidance, coaching and support aligned with clinical assessment goals.
• Assist individuals in identifying steps toward recovery goals.
• Connect individuals to housing, employment, education, transportation and other resources.
• Promote self-sufficiency and empowerment within the community.
• Support crisis recognition, planning and coping strategies.
• Help individuals develop self-help skills and social supports.
• Facilitate groups to build social, recovery and self-advocacy skills.

Job description

Job Details:

Job Location: Lake Campus - Lakeport , CA, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: High School/GED, Salary Range: $20.77 - $24.57Hourly, Travel Percentage: Personal Vehicle Use, Job Shift: Day, Job Title: Certified Peer Support Specialist

Department: Healthy Opportunity for Mothering Experiences (H.O.M.E.) Outpatient

Location: Lakeport, CA

Status: One (1) Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary: $20.77 per hour before certification/$24.57 per hour after certification / Additional Differentials Must Qualify

Open Date: September 18, 2026

Close Date: Open until filled

Pay Differentials Offered (must qualify through testing or verification):

• Language Translation - Bi-cultural Spanish: $1.00 per hour
• Bimodal Bilingualism - ASL Sign Language: $1.00 per hour
• Bimodal Multilingualism - ASL Sign Language: $2.00 per hour

A Cover letter is required, please provide "lived life experience" in your Cover Letter. Because this information is so vital, applicants that do not submit a Cover Letter will not be considered.

Overview:

Certified Peer Support Specialists work with clients to provide recovery-oriented, culturally appropriate services that promote engagement, socialization, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, natural supports and are trauma aware. Certified Peer Support Specialists serve as an advocate for individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance, or substance use disorders providing information and support, and assisting individuals through the recovery process. Services are provided in individual and group settings and are focused on the identified client or significant support person for the identified client. Certified Peer Support Specialists are integrated into various direct service programs within the organization and work with general and specialist populations. Preference given to those with lived experience in Substance Use Recovery within families.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide individualized, ongoing guidance, coaching and support in accordance with goals that have been developed in the clinical assessment process. Assist individuals in giving voice to self id personal goals.
• Assists individuals in determining the steps needed to achieve recovery goals
• Advises and connects individuals to community resources, including housing, employment, education, transportation, recreation, health, religious/spiritual, and other resources to meet their individual recovery goals
• Provides an environment of mutual respect, empowerment, and opportunity to promote self-sufficiency within the community
• Provides individuals with support and guidance on recognizing the early signs of crisis, developing crisis plans, and implementing identified coping strategies
• Assists individuals with recognizing their strengths
• Plans and facilitates activities aimed at increasing client’s engagement in services
• Shares personal recovery stories and describes personal experiences to inspire and support individuals throughout the recovery process
• Supports individuals with problem solving related to their mental health or substance use needs
• Assists individuals with developing and maintaining positive personal and social support networks
• Assists individuals with developing their self-help skills and cultivates their ability to make informed, independent choices
• Plans and facilitates practical activities for individuals to increase their self-worth and improve their self-concepts, learn coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills to help the client’s achieve desired outcomes
• Facilitate groups for individuals and their families to promote skill building for the beneficiaries in the areas of socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of skills learned in other support services.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Possess a High School Diploma or equivalent degree
• Must have experience with the process of recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent, caregiver or family member of a consumer.
• Must pass the 80-hour training requirements within 6-months of employment for a Peer Support Specialist through CalMHSA-approved training entity.
• Funding is available to support certification completion.
• https://www.calmhsa.org/peer-certification/

Conditions of Employment:

• May work across all agency programs as needed.
• Occasional flexible work schedule required to meet individual client needs.
• Must possess a valid CA Driver’s License, current auto insurance, and a clean DMV printout (no more than 3 points).
• Must pass a clear background check with DOJ, CACI, FBI, CCL.
• CPR and First Aid Certified.
• TB Exam and Physical at the time of employment.

Driving Requirement:

Driving is a required function of this position. Employees must use a personal vehicle that meet all agency requirements, including maintaining liability insurance that meets or exceeds state requirements.

Employees are responsible for ensuring the timely renewal of their vehicle insurance policies and providing updated documentation to the agency to remain in good standing and compliant with position requirements.

Training Provided:

Comprehensive onboarding including CPR/First Aid, Crisis Communication/Pro-ACT, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Collaborative Problem Solving.

Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package available.

Equal Opportunity:

Redwood Community Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce.