Peer Support Counselor

Stars Behavioral Health Group; Yucca Valley (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Generous time off

Employer-paid medical, dental, and vis

Paid CEU opportunities

Career development programs

AMFT/ACSW/APCC supervision

Employee recognition & rewards

Job summary

Stars Behavioral Health Group in Yucca Valley, CA is seeking a Peer Support Counselor to provide outreach, engagement, advocacy and direct services leveraging lived experience with mental health and related systems.

The role emphasizes serving as a role model, supporting clients toward recovery and helping them integrate into their communities, with specific shifts and a focus on crisis-informed care. Salary starts at 18.00-21.00 USD per hour and includes benefits.

Qualifications

• Personal lived experience as a consumer in child welfare, probation, or mental health systems.
• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED/HiSET).
• One year of full-time experience performing consumer-directed services in mental health or social services.
• Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification preferred or able to obtain within one year.
• Valid California Driver's License with acceptable driving record.
• First Aid certification from approved provider or obtained on hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach, engagement, advocacy and direct services leveraging lived experience.
• Serve as a role model, educator and advocate to clients across age groups.
• Support clients in moving toward recovery and meaningful life roles.
• Collaborate with teams to coordinate crisis-related supports and services.

Skills

Lived experience

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification (preferred)

First Aid certification

California Driver's License

Job description

Job Title

Peer Support Counselor

Division/Program: Yucca Valley: Morongo Basin Crisis Walk In Center

Starting Compensation: 18.00 - 21.00 USD Per Hour

Working Location: Yucca Valley, CA

Working Hours/Shift: Monday/Tuesday- 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM - Friday/Saturday - 3:00 PM -11:30 PM

Why Join Our Team?

• Competitive Compensation: Offering a salary that matches your skills and experience.
• Generous Time Off: Enjoy ample vacation and holiday pay.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Additional voluntary benefits to support your lifestyle.
• Professional Growth Opportunities: On-the-job training with access to paid CEU opportunities.
• Career development programs designed to help you grow.
• Supervision for BBS hours for AMFT, ACSW, and APCC professionals (where applicable).
• Employee Recognition & Rewards: A culture that celebrates and rewards your hard work and dedication

What You Bring to SBHG (Qualifications)

• Experience & Background: Personal Lived Experience: Self-identified personal experience as a consumer in the child welfare, probation, or mental health systems.
• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSET, etc.).
• Professional Experience: One (1) year of full-time experience performing non-professional, consumer-directed services (preferably within a mental health, healthcare, or social services agency serving individuals with disabilities).
• Certifications & Licensure: Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification preferred (or the ability to successfully complete the certification process within one year of employment).
• Valid California Driver's License with an eligible driving record per company policy.
• First Aid certification from an approved provider (such as the American Red Cross) or obtained upon hire.
• Meet agency driver eligibility criteria

How you will make a difference

The position has primary responsibility for using their lived experience and knowledge of the system to provide outreach and engagement, support, advocacy, and direct services to program clients of all age ranges. Peer Support Counselors are people who have lived experience in the mental health, judicial, and/or social service systems in some capacity. They serve as role models, companions, educators and advocates to our clients. The Peer Support Counselors will support clients in moving toward recovery, creating a meaningful role in their life, which is separate from their illness.

Division/Program Overview

• Program: The Valley Star Crisis Walk-In Center (CWIC) is voluntary and offered on a 24/7 basis in an unlocked setting with a stay of up to 23 hours
• Population Served: All age groups - children, adolescents, adults, and older adults - who need immediate access to crisis mental health services.
• Facility & Setting: The Valley Star Crisis Walk-In Center (CWIC) is voluntary and offered on a 24/7 basis in an unlocked setting
• Clinical Services: Rapid mental health assessment and crisis intervention, the center provides important services to those in need of immediate crisis intervention and stabilization
• Length of Stay: stay of up to 23 hours
• Skills & Transition: Individuals admitted into the crisis stabilization unit will be provided with support and services to ensure their safe transition to the next level of care or back to the community.

Learn more about SBHG at: https://www.starsinc.com/stars-inc/ For Additional Information: [e-mail]

Join an organization dedicated to improving lives and supporting those facing mental health and behavioral challenges. At Stars Behavioral Health Group, we are seeking passionate professionals ready to make a lasting, positive impact on children, youth, families, and adults across California. As a leading statewide provider, SBHG brings together over 2,000 professionals across 70+ specialized programs and 60+ locations, delivering compassionate care to more than 40,000 individuals each year.

We are committed to diversity as we believe exceptional care begins with a diverse team. SBHG is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive work environment that celebrates LGBTQ+, cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity across every level of our organization.