Part Time Peer Support Specialist (IOP-PHP)

Casa De Amparo; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Casa De Amparo in San Marcos, CA is seeking a Part-Time Certified Peer Support Specialist to provide recovery-oriented services within the combined Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). You will draw on lived experience and formal training to support adults in recovery and collaborate with clinicians, nurses, and program staff to engage clients and maintain safety.

This role emphasizes boundaries, documentation, and linkage to community resources, aiming

Qualifications

• Must be associated with Casa de Amparo through CCL (FBI/DOJ/ CAC I clearance where applicable).
• Certified Peer Support Specialist or working toward certification with certification within 90 days of hire.
• Behavioral health lived experience and ability to use it professionally to aid clients.
• Complete harm reduction training within 60 days of hire (4 hours minimum).
• Knowledge of recovery principles, trauma-informed and culturally responsive care, self-advocacy, and boundaries.
• Experience with adults with behavioral health needs and related challenges is preferred.
• Work under supervision of Behavioral Health Professional and can bill for peer-specific codes when certified.
• Strong interpersonal, time-management, organizational, written/verbal communication; intermediate computer literacy; English proficient; bilingual Spanish preferred.
• Physical ability for activities including crouching, lifting 50 pounds, crawling, stairs; ambulatory, auditory, and visual skills.
• Ability to meet employment requirements including CPR/First Aid, TB and drug screening clearance, DMV record, and immunizations.
• Must be at least 21 years old.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support and recovery-oriented services using lived experience, formal training, and approved guidelines.
• Support client engagement, retention, participation, and connection to the therapeutic milieu of the IOP/PHP Program.
• Assist clients in identifying strengths, recovery goals, wellness strategies, coping skills, self-management, and supports.
• Support clients during group activities, recovery groups, and structured program activities within scope.
• Provide peer feedback and encouragement that supports symptom reduction and self-advocacy.
• Assist clients with linkage to community resources, benefits, outpatient services, and transportation/housing supports.
• Collaborate with Clinicians, Nurse, Program Manager, and team to support care, safety planning, and handoffs.
• Maintain professional boundaries and respect cultural norms.
• Complete required documentation, data entry, and service logs per program requirements.
• Participate in Treatment Team meetings, supervision, and trainings.
• Notify clinical staff of safety concerns, changes in client presentation, or requests needing follow-up.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Skills

Behavioral health lived experience

Interpersonal skills

Time-management

Written/verbal communication

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: MAIN OFFICE CKC ADMIN - San Marcos, CA 92069Position Type: Part TimeSalary Range: $27.00 - $30.00 HourlyJob Category: Nonprofit - Social ServicesProvides peer support and recovery-oriented services to adults enrolled in Casa de Amparo's combined Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). Uses behavioral health lived experience and skills learned through formal training to support clients in recovery from mental illness and/or co-occurring needs. Works under the direction of a Behavioral Health Professional and collaborates with the Program Manager, Clinicians, Nurse, Consulting Psychiatrist, and community partners to support engagement, recovery, skill building, self-advocacy, and successful transition to lower levels of care.

MAJOR TASKS:

• Provide peer support and recovery-oriented services using lived experience, formal peer support training, and approved practice guidelines.
• Support client engagement, retention, participation, and connection to the therapeutic milieu of the IOP/PHP Program.
• Assist clients in identifying strengths, recovery goals, wellness strategies, coping skills, self-management skills, and natural/community supports.
• Support clients during community/milieu meetings, skill building groups, recovery groups, and other structured program activities, within scope of role.
• Provide peer feedback and encouragement that supports symptom reduction, adaptive behaviors, self-advocacy, and transition to lower levels of care.
• Assist clients with linkage to community resources, benefits, outpatient services, support groups, transportation resources, housing-related resources, and other recovery supports as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Clinicians, Nurse, Program Manager, and other team members to support client care, safety planning, discharge planning, and warm handoffs.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and provide services that are respectful of differing cultures and the norms that exist within various cultures.
• Complete required documentation, data entry, and service logs in accordance with program, Medi-Cal, County, and agency requirements.
• Participate in Treatment Team meetings, staff meetings, supervision, case consultation, and required in-service trainings.
• Notify clinical staff promptly of any safety concerns, crisis indicators, changes in client presentation, or client requests requiring clinical follow up.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be able to be associated with Casa de Amparo through Community Care Licensing (CCL), if applicable to the program/site, which typically includes clearance by FBI, DOJ and CACI.
• Must be a Certified Peer Support Specialist or be working toward peer certification, with certification obtained within ninety (90) days of hire unless otherwise approved by the County Contracting Officer Representative (COR).
• Must self-identify as having behavioral health lived experience and be able to use lived experience appropriately and professionally to assist clients in recovery from mental illness and/or co-occurring needs.
• Must complete a one-time harm reduction training, minimum four (4) hours, within sixty (60) days of hire.
• Knowledge of recovery principles, trauma-informed care, culturally responsive care, self-advocacy, community resources, peer support ethics, and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Experience working with adults with behavioral health needs, serious mental illness, co-occurring needs, homelessness/housing instability, justice involvement, or transition from higher levels of care preferred.
• Ability to work under the direction of a Behavioral Health Professional and within the scope of peer support services, including billing only peer-specific codes upon certification when applicable.
• Must possess strong interpersonal, time-management, organizational, written/verbal communication skills, and intermediate computer literacy. English proficient/Bilingual Spanish preferred.
• Must have ambulatory, auditory, and visual skills to observe clients and staff.
• Must have the physical ability to participate in activities and perform related physical skills, including, but not limited to, crouching, lifting 50 pounds, crawling on hands and knees, and walking up and down stairs.
• Ability to comply with all employment requirements including, but not limited to CPR/First Aid, physical, TB and drug screen clearance, clear DMV record and approval from insurance carrier to drive agency vehicles. Must provide proof of immunization against influenza, pertussis, and measles.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.