Certified Peer Support Specialist/Trainee - Transitional Age Youth

County-of-Riverside; California; On-site; USD 28,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is seeking a Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee to support the Friday Night Live (FNL) division and youth-focused prevention activities. The role emphasizes peer outreach, engagement, and linking youth to behavioral health and community resources in Riverside County.

Candidates with experience engaging youth or TAY and willingness to obtain Medi-Cal certification within two years are preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification must be obtained within two years of start date.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer outreach, engagement, and support for youth/TAY in school and community settings.
• Deliver cannabis and substance-use prevention education and assist with Friday Night Live programs.
• Assist youth/TAY in accessing, navigating, and linking to behavioral health and community resources.
• Maintain documentation and program records in accordance with Medi-Cal/County standards.
• Participate in school outreach, community events, trainings, and prevention campaigns.

Skills

Peer support

Youth engagement

Public speaking

Education

High school diploma or GED

Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification eligible within 2 years

Tools

California Driver's License

Job description

Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is recruiting for a Certified Peer Support Specialists/Trainee to support the Friday Night Live - Prop 64 Division.

This position provides peer-to-peer outreach, engagement, and supportive services to youth and Transitional Age Youth (TAY) within Riverside County. The role focuses on youth substance-use prevention, early intervention, education, and leadership development, with an emphasis on reducing youth cannabis and other substance use and improving access to behavioral health and community resources.

Competitive candidates will have previous experience engaging with youth or Transitional Age Youth (TAY).

Schedule: Monday – Friday 5/40 Schedule 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Hourly Salary Range:

• Peer Support Specialist Trainee : $20.2151-$27.7092
• Certified Peer Support Specialist : $24.2363-$32.9854

A valid California Driver’s License and CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification may be required depending on the specific position and program assignment.

Meet 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

• Provide meaningful self-disclosure of lived experience, as appropriate, to build rapport and support engagement with youth and Transitional Age Youth (TAY), in alignment with California Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist requirements.
• Conduct peer-to-peer outreach, engagement, and support for youth/TAY in school and community settings.
• Deliver cannabis and substance-use prevention education and assist with implementing youth-focused prevention activities, including Friday Night Live (FNL) leadership and engagement programs.
• Support youth/TAY in accessing, navigating, and linking to behavioral health, substance-use, educational, and community resources.
• Participate in school outreach, community events, presentations, trainings, conferences, and prevention campaigns representing youth/TAY perspectives and promoting program initiatives.
• Assist in facilitating youth engagement activities, leadership development opportunities, and peer-led discussions or groups related to prevention, wellness, resiliency, and decision-making.
• Use culturally responsive and youth-appropriate communication to promote understanding, acceptance, and trust within diverse communities.
• Collaborate with schools, behavioral health programs, community organizations, and County partners to support youth/TAY engagement and resource connection.
• Help youth articulate their needs, goals, and concerns, empowering them to develop advocacy skills and increase participation in wellness and prevention activities.
• Provide support to youth and those who assist them by fostering connection to positive peer networks, community involvement, and pro-social opportunities.
• Maintain required documentation, outreach logs, program records, and data in accordance with program expectations and Medi-Cal/County standards.
• Monitor and remain responsive to youth/TAY satisfaction with services, engagement experiences, and the program environment.
• Contribute to the development of youth-focused prevention materials, activities, and resources that support program goals and youth leadership.

Peer Support Specialist T trainee Recruiting Guidelines:

Education:

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

Experience:

Current or previous recovery experience as a consumer of behavioral health and/or substance abuse services.

Other Requirements:

• Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification must be obtained within two (2) years of the employee start date. Failure to obtain a Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification may lead to termination.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.

Knowledge of:

The basic needs and difficulties faced by ethnically diverse consumers, 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.

Ability to:

Learn the basic principles of the behavioral health system and effectively work within the system; represent and advocate for the consumer perspective within the community and behavioral health system; understand 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; establish and maintain working relationships with a wide range of community agencies and organizations; obtain and record accurate information for case documentation and other reports.

Certified Peer Support Specialist Recruiting Guidelines:

Education:

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

Experience:

current or previous recovery experience as a consumer of behavioral health and/or substance abuse services.

AND

California State Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification.

A valid Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification must be obtained prior to the employment start date. Employees holding a Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification must be re-certified every two (2) years. Failure to maintain a valid Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification may lead to termination.

Other Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.

Knowledge of:

The needs and difficulties faced by ethnically diverse consumers, families and caregivers 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; and methods to effectively communicate with consumers, families and caregivers, the community and the behavioral health treatment team.

Ability to:

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; establish 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.