Bilingual Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS)

Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. (CPLC); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 66,124,800 - 67,364,640; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid remote

Paid holidays

Recognition program

Paid time off

Wellness rewards

Family health coverage

HSA/FSA

Life and disability

Job summary

Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. in Los Angeles is seeking a Certified Peer Support Specialist to empower clients on their recovery journey. This hybrid role blends in-office and community-based work to deliver trauma-informed, client-centered housing support services.

Applicants should have a CA DHCS CalMHSA certification, lived experience with mental health challenges, and the ability to work with Spanish-speaking clients. We offer a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Must be actively certified as a Peer Support Specialist through CA DHCS or CalMHSA.
• Lived experience overcoming mental health/substance-use challenges.
• Experience with homelessness populations preferred.
• Must have valid driver's license and clean MVR.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer-based support, coaching, mentoring, outreach, crisis intervention, wellness planning, independent living skill development, and culturally responsive services.
• Coordinate housing and supportive services; work with multidisciplinary teams and community partners; assist clients in navigating behavioral health, housing, and social service systems; transportation support when needed.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation; meet productivity and service delivery standards; ensure HIPAA compliance.
• Participate in required meetings, supervision, training, and continuing education; maintain certifications.
• Provide Spanish-language translation support and assist with evolving program priorities.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Trauma-informed care

Communication

Client service

Education

High School Diploma

Certified Peer Support Specialist (CalMHSA)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Telemedicine & Concierge Services
• 1200 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles

Someone inspired your New Beginning, now you can inspire someone else. Amanecer is excited to bring on our first ever Certified Peer Support Specialist - that can be you!

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

$23.10 - $23.56 plus benefits

• Hybrid remote flexibility
• Generous Paid Holiday
• Employee Recognition Program
• Paid Time Off & Paid Sick Days
• Free Preventative Services & Wellness Rewards
• Medical, Dental, and Vision for Spouse/Domestic Partner & Children to age 26
• Health Savings Account & Flexible Spending Account
• Life + Disability options
• Employee Assistance Program
• Telemedicine & Concierge Services
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Pet Care, Life Mart Purchase Discounts
• Tuition Reimbursement for qualifying degrees
• Mileage Reimbursement for qualifying roles
• Identity Theft Protection& Voluntary Benefits

HYBRID REMOTE & LOCATION

• 1200 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
• Each week, you'll work in office, in the community and remotely from home, always staying committed to prioritizing client needs.

About Amanecer

Amanecer aims to remove the barriers that have historically kept underserved and marginalized populations from seeking and receiving vital mental health care services. We empower underserved kids, adults, and domestic abuse victims to overcome barriers and significant life challenges through culturally competent, comprehensive mental health, psychiatric, and case management services.

In Spanish, Amanecer roughly translates to “New Beginning”. We use that phrase to describe the meaningful differences our clients see in their lives after treatment. Since 1975, with help from the county, foundations, and donors, we have provided hundreds of thousands of New Beginnings.

WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT CERTIFIED PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST?

• Your deep commitment to trauma-informed care principles, always demonstrating a culturally inclusive, strengths-based, non-judgmental approach.
• Your lived experience that empowers and encourages clients in their recovery journey and transition to stable housing.
• Your ability to navigate local housing markets, rental programs, and landlord relations.
• Your adaptability, critical thinking, and proactive mindset to navigate evolving priorities driven by contractual and program requirements.
• Your certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist and ability to support low-income, diverse populations, including Spanish-speaking clients and families.

HOW WILL YOU MAKE AN IMPACT?

As the Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS), you serve as an integral member of the intensive services programs, providing support grounded in lived experience to engage, motivate, and empower clients in their recovery journey. You will work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to deliver trauma-informed, client-centered housing support services. To be successful, you will need a community-based, adaptable and client-centered approach, providing telehealth and in-person services to meet clients where they are most able to receive processes - in the community, office, and/or home.

As our CPSS, you will get the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting individuals in their journey toward recovery, stability, and housing security.

• Client Services & Direct Care: Provide peer-based support, coaching, mentoring, outreach, crisis intervention, wellness planning, independent living skill development, and culturally responsive services to promote client recovery, engagement, and self-sufficiency.
• Care Coordination & Collaboration: Coordinate housing and supportive services, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and community partners, assist clients in navigating behavioral health, housing, and social service systems, foster relationships with housing resources, promote recovery-oriented care, and provide transportation support for client service-related activities when needed.
• Compliance, Ethics & Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely documentation, meet productivity and service delivery standards, and ensure compliance with agency policies, professional ethics, credentialing requirements, applicable laws, and HIPAA regulations.
• Professional Development: Participate in required meetings, supervision, training, and continuing education activities while maintaining certifications and staying current with peer support best practices.
• Organizational & Program Support: Provide Spanish-language translation support for clients as needed and perform additional duties to support evolving program, departmental, and agency priorities.

COMPETENCIES

• Effective communication skills across diverse audiences, including Spanish/English populations.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Collaboration and teamwork in cross-functional settings.
• Professionalism, ethics, and reliability.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn as dynamics evolve.
• Client service and community-centered mindset.
• Organizational skills, with proven ability to follow up and meet deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Background:

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent education required.
• Must be actively Certified Peer Support Specialist through a California Department of Health Care Service (CA DHCS) recognized certification program, such as the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA).
• Lived experience demonstrating a personal history of overcoming mental health and/or substance-use challenges.
• Previous experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• This position requires driving on behalf of the company. Candidates must hold a valid driver's license, meet the company's motor vehicle record (MVR) standards, meet company's insurance eligibility, and comply with all state and federal driving requirements. Ongoing employment is contingent upon maintaining an acceptable driving record.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, especially Microsoft teams).

Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CPLC knows it takes variety of thought, culture, background, and perspective to create a truly impactful workforce. As CPLC grows, we are seeking talented employees with varying backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our innovation and creativity. CPLC commits to a continued focus on fair and just hiring, training, promotional practices, and policies. We work for real change and progress in equal opportunity recruitment, hiring, and advancement. Learn more by visiting https://www.eeoc.gov/poster

California Residents: Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc and its subsidiaries will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Right’s Department Fair Chance Act webpage.