Peer Support Specialist Trainee

County of Santa Barbara; Lompoc (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual allowance

Job summary

County of Santa Barbara is seeking two full-time Peer Support Specialist Trainee positions (Bilingual English/Spanish) to support clients and caregivers in behavioral health, with one vacancy in Santa Barbara and one in Lompoc. Selected staff will travel regularly between Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc to deliver outreach, education, and recovery-oriented support within a multi-disciplinary team.

These entry-level roles offer training toward Peer Certified status and require travel

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience in behavioral health helpful.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required; Mixteco proficiency desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide information, support, and advocacy for clients and caregivers/family members of behavioral health clients.
• Train, support, and empower peers and family members in coping strategies.
• Engage with the community through outreach, education, and events.
• Help clients and families identify needs, access resources, and navigate services.
• Serve as a positive role model and participate in inter-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Description

Salary Range: $28.00 - $33.33 Hourly

Bilingual allowance, when applicable

Are you passionate about making a difference in behavioral health and supporting others on their recovery journey? The Behavioral Wellness Department is seeking dedicated individuals to fill two (2) Bilingual (English/Spanish) full-time Peer Support Specialist Trainee positions, with one (1) vacancy in Santa Barbara and one (1) vacancy in Lompoc. The selected candidates will be required to travel between operational sites in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc as part of their regular duties.

We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list for current and future full-time, part-time, extra help (temporary) and 1414* Peer Support Specialist Trainee vacancies in multiple locations which include Santa Barbara, and Lompoc for the Behavioral Wellness Department. Therefore, you must check the Individual Location(s) on the application and work types where you would be willing to accept an assignment for current and future employment. If you qualify for this position and pass the required selection steps, your name may be sent to the hiring managers of the programs where you have expressed interest in working.

• 1414 vacancies may occur as a result of a leave of absence (Civil Service Rule 1414), and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under Civil Service Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department. The 1414 position is eligible for Full-Time benefits.

BENEFITS

For more information on County of Santa Barbara benefits click on the Benefits Tab above or visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/3085/SEIU-Local-620

Additionally, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.

The Position

Under direct supervision, provide information, support, assistance and advocacy for clients and/or caregivers/family members of clients of behavioral health services (mental health and co-occurring substance use disorder). Incumbents in this class provide training, support, encouragement, and related duties to assist clients and family/caregivers in coping with immediate situations. Incumbents in these classes work within a system of interdisciplinary departmental teams and will provide feedback and perspective to the behavioral health system relative to the impact and effectiveness of the services provided.

This is the entry-level classification in the Behavioral Wellness Peer Specialist series. Incumbents may advance to the Peer Certified Support Specialist classification by successfully completing the Peer Support Specialist Certification Program, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and meeting the minimum qualifications of that classification. The certification program may be completed while serving in the trainee role.

Current Vacancies

The two current vacancies are part of the Community Engagement team, with a focus on outreach, engagement, and education related to First Episode Psychosis (FEP). If interested in the current vacancies, please ensure you select the appropriate program option on question 9 of the supplemental questionnaire.

The First Episode Psychosis (FEP) program provides specialized, coordinated services for individuals experiencing the early signs or first episode of psychosis. The program follows California’s Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) model, supported by Early Psychosis Intervention California (EPI-CAL), the state’s designated Center of Excellence (COE) for this evidence-based practice.

The goal of the FEP program is to identify psychosis early, engage individuals in treatment as quickly as possible, and provide coordinated, recovery-oriented services that help people remain connected to their families, education, employment, and communities.

Peer Support Specialist Trainees assigned to the Community Engagement team will provide outreach, engagement, and education within the community to increase awareness of First Episode Psychosis, help individuals recognize early signs and symptoms, and connect individuals and families with appropriate resources, including the FEP program when needed.

La CLAVE is an evidence-based mental health outreach program and public health campaign designed to help the Latinx community identify symptoms of serious mental illness, specifically psychosis, and seek early professional treatment. Individuals selected for these positions will receive specialized training in FEP and La CLAVE to support their community outreach, education, and engagement efforts.

Bilingual – Speaking, Reading, and Writing Required: The ability to converse, read, and write fluently in English and Spanish is required. Note: You must self-certify on your application that you are fluent in English and Spanish. Hiring departments may test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications or removed from the employment list, in accordance to Civil Service Rules. Proficiency in Mixteco is highly desirable, but not required.

The Ideal Candidate For The Behavioral Wellness Department

• Has lived experience, or is a parent, guardian, caregiver or family member of someone with a behavioral health, alcohol or substance use disorder
• Is willing and able to share that experience with consumers to build credibility and empathy and to model recovery and real-life coping strategies
• Has experience serving people with severe and persistent mental illness
• Builds strong working relationships with diverse people and works well with all staff levels and contracted agencies
• Uses sound judgment in answering questions, releasing information, and weighing the consequences of decisions and recommendations
• Contributes to and documents client biopsychosocial evaluations, assessments and written plans of care
• Is computer literate for electronic health record documentation
• Recognizes and reports medication effects and side effects, and signs of substance intoxication or withdrawal
• Educates clients and families about the client’s disposition and helps incorporate discharge planning into care

About The Department

Founded in 1962, it is the mission of the Department of Behavioral Wellness to promote the prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction among individuals, families and communities, by providing effective leadership and delivering state-of-the-art, culturally competent services. The Department provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to 10,000 clients with mental illness and substance use disorders annually through its professional staff of over 400, in addition to its many contracted Community-Based Organization (CBO) providers.

For more information, please visit: www.countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness

Examples of Duties

Depending on the area of assignment, duties may include, but not limited to, the following:

• Provides personal lived experience of behavioral health related to recovery and resiliency to the people served in the behavioral health system of care.
• Supports the work of PEER Certified Support Specialists in informing, training, and empowering clients and families/caregivers of clients who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services.
• Attends and participates in special events, conferences, workshops and trainings within the mental health system and in the community.
• Assists individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges, including first-episode psychosis, and their family members in identifying their needs, accessing available resources, and navigating support services.
• Serves as a role model for clients.
• Supports the appropriate acceptance and understanding of social and cultural factors in the provision of behavioral health services.
• Provide community members perspectives and information on services offered within Behavioral Wellness and how to access services and support.

Employment Standards

Qualifications

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must provide detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet the employment standards (minimum qualifications) listed below:

A high school diploma or GED equivalent; AND,

• Experience interacting with behavioral health services or their systems of care; or
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Additional Qualifications

Incumbents must complete CalMHSA Peer Support Specialist training within the first year of hire.

Driver’s License

A valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at the time of appointment depending on programmatic needs.

Knowledge of

basic English grammar and usage; characteristics of human behavior; and safe driving practices.

Ability to

learn and work effectively within the behavioral health system; advocate for and represent the client perspective; understand cultural and social factors that influence behavior; communicate behavioral health services and processes to clients, families, caregivers, and support systems; build and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations; gather and document accurate information; understand the needs of diverse individuals and families affected by behavioral health conditions; and connect clients with appropriate community resources and support services

Working Conditions

Will have occasional contact with clients who become hostile or violent and may be required to drive long distances in varying weather conditions

Supplemental Information

Application & Selection Process

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
• Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Candidates' response to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 12 qualified candidates.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS

Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD-214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the closing date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

Additional Information

• Fingerprinting for the purpose of a criminal record check as authorized by Section 16501 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code and Section 11105.3 of the California Penal Code may be required for some positions.

Conditional Job Offer

• Live Scan and Background Check: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidate's appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a Live Scan and background check which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. A Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice. Further instructions about when and how to complete the Live Scan will be included in the offer letter. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.
• The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of accommodation needed from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Disaster Service Worker

Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE

11/24/2026 at 4:59 PM PST. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty