Peer Support Specialist

JOB SUMMARY: Sycamores is partnering with the 988 mental health crisis hotline to provide support to people experiencing a mental health crisis. The 988 hotline will provide initial phone support to all callers and triage calls to the Sycamores Mobile Crisis Outreach Program for in-person support. The Mobile Crisis Outreach Program responds 7 days a week from 7:30pm to 8:30am, broken down by shifts. The Mobile Crisis Outreach Peer Support Specialist will respond, in conjunction with the Mobile Crisis Outreach Program clinician, to provide timely support including crisis stabilization, safety planning, community resources and provide follow up support. Utilizing the Mobile Crisis Outreach Program vehicle to respond to calls, this role is an integral part of the Sycamores larger Mobile Crisis Outreach Program including close partnerships with the 988-call center, Riverside County Dispatch Center, police, sheriff, psychiatric hospitals, and ambulance transport companies. 

The Mobile Crisis Outreach Peer Support Specialist has lived experience as a recipient of mental health services, and/or houselessness and/or system involvement, and can utilize these unique personal, practical, valuable experiences, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and consumers i.e., Adults, Youth, Children and their families as well as the community.

The Mobile Crisis Outreach Program Peer Support Specialist provides the Mobile Crisis Outreach Program with expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and consumers persistence to lead a satisfying life in society. Mobile Crisis Outreach Peer Support Specialist is also responsible for providing care, advocating for client voice and choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services. Mobile Crisis Outreach Peer Support Specialist will provide consultation to consumers regarding community resources, crisis intervention, and available community services i.e., housing, mental health services, medical treatment, and substance abuse services. 

The Mobile Crisis Outreach Department evaluates the individual in "crisis" out in the field and takes measures to ensure the individuals safety (i.e., If clinically necessary, the Peer Support Specialist works with the Clinician in locating hospitals, ambulances, coordinating care etc.…). The Mobile Crisis Outreach Program team responds to an individual's need for in person evaluation for safety within specified geographical area (i.e., Desert, Mid-County and Western Regions). The Mobile Crisis Outreach Program utilizes Sycamores vehicles to co-respond (two staff at a time) to provide added support and security measures.

Starting Pay Range:

$68,640 - $70,580 per year for Full-Time employment (starting pay will be based on previous work experience and educational background.)

Shift Schedule: Sunday - Wednesday 6 pm - 4 am

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
• Be self-identified as having experience with the process of recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services.
• Be willing to share their lived experience.
• Have a strong dedication to recovery.
• Agree, in writing, to adhere to the Code of Ethics.
• Certification in Peer Support is preferred but not required. If not certified, upon hire the peer support specialist must successfully complete the training requirements for a peer support specialist and pass the certification examination or go through the process to become certified.
• Valid California Driver License and a driving record acceptable to the Agency's insurance carrier.
• Ability to use agency vehicle with appropriate insurance for all transporting consumers and adhering to federal, state, and local motor vehicle safety standards when transporting children.
• Maintains all required licenses and certifications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The ability to physically manage and/or de-escalate consumers/residents.
• Frequent driving in the community with consumers.
• Frequent/continuous intermittent standing/walking, occasional/intermittent sitting.
• Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities in fine motor activities requiring fingering, grasping, and forward reaching between waist and chest level.
• Reaching at or above shoulder level may be necessary.
• Bending, squatting, kneeling, pushing/pulling, twisting, and climbing.
• Occasional/intermittent lifting and carrying objects/equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Continuous use of near vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills in handling telephone calls, interacting with customers and co-workers and performing job duties.
• Requires physical presence in the office during shift.
• Ability to practice physical intervention for safety of consumers according to training and policy.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

All candidates who are presented with a conditional offer of employment must satisfy a pre-employment background check, drug, and health screen.

Sycamores is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Further, Sycamores is a Fair Chance employer and complies with California Government Code Section 12952, Employment Discrimination: Conviction History.