Peer Support Specialist II (HLT)

AMI Housing, Inc; Auburn (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Certificate program funding

Pay differential after certification

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

AMI Housing, Inc. in California is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to provide recovery-oriented, person-centered support to individuals facing homelessness and serious mental health challenges.

You will use lived experience to build trust, navigate services, and help participants pursue their personal recovery goals within a collaborative team. The role involves outreach in the community, assisting with housing resources, transportation, and crisis support, while maintaining confidentiality

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Lived experience recovering from mental illness or as a caregiver for someone with a mental illness or substance use disorder is required.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.
• Strong computer proficiency and use of electronic records systems with little direction.
• Desire to help others through recovery and advocacy.
• Compassion, patience and tolerance for vulnerable populations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an active caseload of participants requiring intensive, community-based support.
• Build trusting relationships and model recovery principles.
• Collaborate with clinical staff and multidisciplinary team for coordinated care.
• Provide outreach and engagement in community settings (homes, shelters, hospitals).
• Assist participants in accessing housing resources, benefits, and healthcare services.
• Develop individualized recovery and wellness plans with participants.
• Provide practical support such as transportation and appointments.
• Document services in compliance with agency and program requirements.
• Advocate for client needs within the team and link to resources.
• Share lived experience appropriately while maintaining boundaries.

Skills

Lived experience

Empathy

Advocacy

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Teams/Zoom

Google Docs

Electronic health records

Job description

Founded in 2003, AMI Housing is a California-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to house and support the most vulnerable residents of the Sierra Region by enhancing the lives of people with mental illness by providing housing, employment, and supportive services

Position Summary:

The Homeless Liaison Team provides recovery-oriented, person-centered support to individuals living with serious mental health challenges who may be experiencing homelessness, justice system involvement, frequent hospitalizations, or other significant barriers to stability. Through lived experience, mentorship, and advocacy, Peer Support Specialists build trusting relationships, help participants navigate essential services, and support individuals in achieving their self-defined recovery goals. The team works collaboratively with behavioral health providers and community partners to promote long-term wellness, independence, housing stability, and community integration.

The ideal peer is someone:

• With personal lived experience recovering from a mental illness and/or substance use disorder OR
• With lived experience as the primary family member or caretaker of someone with a mental illness and/or substance use disorder AND
• Is enthusiastic, eager to learn, and passionate about using their lived experience to help others

Job Responsibilities (but not limited to):

• Maintain an active caseload of FSP participants requiring intensive, community-based support.
• Build trusting relationships with participants by modeling recovery principles such as self-determination, empowerment, mutual support, and resilience.
• Collaborate closely with clinical staff, case managers, psychiatrists, and other multidisciplinary team members to support coordinated care.
• Provide outreach and engagement services in the community, including homes, shelters, encampments, hospitals, and other community settings as needed.
• Assist participants in accessing housing resources, benefits, healthcare services, and other community supports that promote stability and recovery.
• Support participants in developing individualized recovery and wellness plans aligned with their personal goals and strengths.
• Provide practical support such as transportation, accompaniment to appointments, court dates, housing meetings, and other essential services.
• Help participants identify early warning signs of relapse or crisis and develop strategies to maintain stability.
• Facilitate peer support groups, skill-building activities, and wellness-focused programming when appropriate.
• Document services in compliance with agency, county, and program requirements, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and confidentiality.
• Advocate for client needs within a multi-disciplinary team
• Remain up to date on community resources and link clients to appropriate resources
• Document client progress utilizing an electronic health record system
• Evoke hope, recovery, and wellness
• Provide some amount of client transportation in personal vehicle, dependent on team needs and part of scope of service, and reimbursable by AMIH
• Ability to share lived experience when appropriate while maintaining professional boundaries
• Report to multiple supervisors and manage position on multiple teams
• Manage workplace stress and remain calm, especially while dealing with client crises

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation is required.
• Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certificate is preferred and pay differential is offered. (AMIH can fund and facilitate the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certificate to active employees.)
• Lived experience recovering from a mental illness and/or substance use disorder OR lived experience as the primary caretaker for someone with a mental illness and/or substance use disorder
• Strong computer proficiency (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft Teams/Zoom, SurveyMonkey, Google Docs, internet, and Calendar) and use electronic records systems with little to no direction.
• Strong desire to help others through the recovery process and provide advocacy and support.
• Compassion, patience and tolerance for working with vulnerable populations
• Excellent time management skills and ability to work independently
• A positive attitude and ability to work well with different personalities

Pay Structure and Peer Certification

PSS II start at $23.00 per hour ($25.00 per hour with Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certificate)

AMIH will fund and facilitate the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certificate upon employment and offer a pay differential when certificate is obtained.

AMIH is an equal opportunity and drug free employer.