The Peer Counselor, CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist for our Community Wellness Response Team (CWRT) program is responsible for the provision of field-based direct services and provides engaging peer support in a self-help format to individuals and their families working towards their recovery. The Peer Counselor uses their personal experiences to coach individuals and families through their wellness and recovery goals and plans. This work will entail all aspects of field-based service including needs for assessment, carrying out the plan of care, individual peer counseling and rehabilitation support, crisis support and referrals/linkages to more long term supports that promote an individual's wellness. The Peer Counselor will work independently and as part of a team and will manage their own schedule for the outreach, engagement, participant appointments, and extensive local travel that are pertinent to a participant's plan of care. The position will adhere to all regulatory productivity/direct service expectations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Duties are to be delivered in the field)

• Ensures program offerings are welcoming, engaging, and barrier free from a peer perspective.
• Provides mentoring (responsibility modeling) and shared experience counseling to participants and families where they are in the community.
• First Outreach: Completes initial contact (phone, outreach, etc.) to new participants, either as part of a team or individually, to assess their initial eligibility and interest in service. Follows the approved priority system for eligibility.
• Participates and leads street and other outreach to locate potential participants or to generate program referrals.
• Participates in ongoing peer support visits with current participants on a regular determined basis according to program standards to support their continued engagement in service.
• Provides individualized peer support, peer counseling, skill-building, and intervention based on the plan of care and individual needs of the participant as well as coordinated needs of the program.
• Provides crisis support to individuals based on emergent needs of the participant as well as coordinated needs of the program.
• Provides individualized linkages to other services based on the plan of care and individual needs of the participants as well as the coordinated needs of the program.
• Provides orientation to self-help resources to program members based on recovery and wellness principles.
• Maintains a defined caseload of participants as indication by the program design and team model. Works with all participants in the program flexibly when needed and based on program design.
• Maintain a complex calendar of appointments with participants, dedicated time for engagement, appointments with other providers and natural supports, etc.
• Documents all services in to progress notes and billable services according to contract and regulatory guidelines.
• Meets defined productivity guidelines set by the program.
• Works in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team by providing team coordination and collaboration.

COMPETENCIES

• Draws on lived experience to maintain a professional, strength-based, whatever it takes approach to working with an individual/family member.
• Creates safety and promotes health and wellness in a milieu setting.
• Welcomes everyone in to services using their own guided experience.
• Works well with others and behaves professionally and ethically while developing professionally.
• Works independently and as a member of a team.
• Adaptable and open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. Adjusts rapidly to new situations warranting attention and resolution.
• Balances interests of a variety of clients; readily readjusts priorities to respond to pressing and changing client demands, anticipates and meets the need of clients; achieves quality end-products; is committed to continuous improvement of services.
• Understands public and private community-based resources and makes referrals as needed.
• Expresses facts and ideas verbally and in writing in a clear, concise and organized manner.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications of Word, Outlook and systems-based documentation platforms. Documents services effectively and efficiently.
• Able to work in diverse communities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Peer certification required. CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist or equivalent. 
• Peer support experience required.
• High school diploma required.
• Use of a computer or electronic platform to document work is required.
• Bilingual in threshold language as stated in BACS policy preferred.
• Experience navigating the social services system personally highly preferred.
• Experience working in various community settings and navigating unique characteristics of communities.

BENEFITS/PERKS

• Highly competitive compensation. $25/hr starting pay rate then $26 per hour after 90 days and successful completion of all job duties and requirements 
• Fully paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage for employees and children.
• 32 days off (PTO/Holiday), increasing with tenure, includes your birthday off. 
• +3% per hour differential for tested ability in Sacramento county designated threshold languages ( Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian)
• 403b with BACS matching contribution after one year of service, BACS matching contribution.
• After 1 year of service - $3,000 per year student loan debt payment, tuition or continuing ed costs. Up to $15,000 over 5 years.
• One month PAID sabbatical after 4 Years – not charging PTO.
• Free iPhone with unlimited data for personal/professional use + laptop for easy mobility.
• Significant internal growth opportunities.

BACS Overview

Bay Area Community Services is a CARF accredited non-profit, community-based agency celebrating 70 years of serving Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento and Solano Counties by providing mental health and social services. BACS’ mission is to uplift under-served individuals and their families by doing whatever it takes. We are proud to be one of the leading agencies producing real outcomes to tough social problems. BACS owes its reputation as an innovator to our innovative and entrepreneurial staff.  We are seeking individuals who want to transform clinical practice to be client-centered and effective in the field and who want to lead empowered teams to meet goals.   

How to apply:

Submit a resume with a cover letter highlighting your relevant experience.

BAY AREA COMMUNITY SERVICES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER