Sacramento: Peer Specialist (CST)

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  ONGOING

TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST COMPLETE CAL VOICES’ ONLINE JOB APPLICATION.

CLICK HERE OR PASTE THE LINK BELOW INTO YOUR WEB BROWSER TO ACCESS THE APPLICATION.

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/3266206/Cal-Voices-Employment-Application 

YOU WILL NEED THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THIS POSTION TO COMPLETE PARTS OF THE ONLINE APPLICATION. CLICK HERE OR PASTE THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE JOB DESCRIPTION. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CZjHIYSAcTWZ_b4CTRq0kNk0TsfJpkMg/view?usp=drive_link

PLEASE CAREFULLY READ AND FOLLOW THE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AT THE END OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT. INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL NOT BE INTERVIEWED. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

Cal Voices is seeking a full-time Peer Partner Specialist for its Community Support Team (CST). The CST responds to individuals of all ages in the community experiencing mental distress or at risk of suicide to help prevent emergency room visits, inpatient hospitalizations, law enforcement interventions, and incarcerations. This position is directly employed by Cal Voices but is co-located within Sacramento County’s facilities and works in close collaboration with the County’s CST clinicians, staff, and law enforcement partners. Under the supervision of Cal Voices’ Peer Program Manager and two Lead Peer Partner Specialists, Peer Specialists use their personal lived experience of wellness, resilience, and recovery to provide short-term peer mentoring and emotional support, wellness/recovery planning, education, linkage, and referrals to clients and families. Peer Specialist must possess thorough knowledge of available resources in Sacramento County and be capable of supporting others using strength-based, recovery-focused approaches. This is a fast-paced work environment where new tasks unexpectedly arise and priorities frequently shift, so organization, effective time management, personal flexibility, internal motivation, and a sense of humor are also essential. Employees in this position will be required to maintain Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification.  

Cal Voices is a peer-run, grassroots behavioral health advocacy agency. As such, this position must be held by someone with personal lived experience of recovery from a behavioral health challenge or personal lived experience as the primary caretaker of an adult, youth, or child with complex behavioral health needs. Applicants must be familiar with California’s Public Behavioral Health System (PBHS), key elements of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), behavioral health and social services in Sacramento County, and core principles of the recovery model, self-help, and peer support. Qualified individuals who have received behavioral health services from any California county, are bilingual/bicultural, or identify as members of traditionally underserved populations (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, veterans, immigrants/refugees, former foster youth, past experience with homelessness or justice system involvement, etc.) are strongly desired.  Fluency in Spanish or another threshold language is also desired. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Personal Lived Experience
  • Of recovery from a behavioral health challenge; or
  • As the primary caretaker of an adult, youth, or child with complex behavioral health needs
• Education and Work Experience
  • A high school diploma or its equivalent plus:
    • Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification that is current and in good standing; or
    • Completion of at least 40 hours of structured peer support education/training (WISE U graduates desired) and at least 1,000 hours of work experience providing peer support services, or 
    • At least two years or 2,500 hours of work experience providing peer support services 
• A valid class “C” California driver license
• Immediate access to reliable personal transportation throughout the workday
• An auto insurance coverage that meets the minimum legal requirement in California
• Ability to perform all of the Job Duties for this position, with or without a reasonable accommodation
• Possession of the Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for this position 
• Ability to meet all of the Physical and Mental Requirements for this position
• Ability to pass a criminal background screening, if offered this position

DOWNLOAD THE JOB DESCRIPTION HERE OR PASTE THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW THE JOB DUTIES AND REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES FOR THIS POSITION, YOU WILL NEED THE JOB DESCRIPTION TO COMPLETE PARTS OF THE ONLINE APPLICATION. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CZjHIYSAcTWZ_b4CTRq0kNk0TsfJpkMg/view?usp=drive_link

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The frequencies listed below are based on estimated annual averages. Actual frequencies may vary. 

Regularly: daily/ongoing; Often: 1-2 times/week; Occasionally: 1-2 times/month; Rarely: 1-2 times/year

The person in this position is required to:

• Regularly perform all of the Job Duties for this position, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Regularly apply the Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for this position 
• Regularly work 7.5 hours per day and 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday during business hours
•  Regularly work onsite/in-person at least three days per week
• Occasionally work additional hours during evenings and/or weekends
• Often drive to/from various locations in the Sacramento area
• Often attend meetings, activities, and events held both virtually and in-person
• Rarely travel overnight to attend conferences, trainings, and events held in distant locations 
• Regularly use a computer, the internet, electronic equipment, and digital devices
• Regularly perform substantial typing 
• Regularly sit or remain stationary for most of the workday
• Regularly write notes or otherwise document and organize important information 
• Regularly communicate clearly and effectively with others, both orally and in writing 
• Regularly read, analyze, summarize, and organize information from a variety of sources
• Regularly explain concepts to individuals with varied levels of education and understanding 
• Regularly perform basic math calculations (counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, averaging)
• Regularly manage distractions and interruptions; maintain focus and productivity throughout the workday
• Regularly make decisions and engage in ongoing problem-solving 
• Regularly maintain resilience and utilize effective coping techniques in response to work-related stressors
• Regularly address issues, problems, and challenges with their Manager or Lead, as soon as they arise

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Disclaimers:  Employment at Cal Voices is strictly at-will. Position sustainability relies on the continuity of existing contracts and funding levels. Although not guaranteed, future pay increases may be given based on revenue growth, demonstrated skills, quality of work performance, and/or value of the employee’s contributions to the agency. 

• Starting Compensation:  $22.56 per hour 
• Benefits:  This position is eligible for employer-paid medical (up to 95%), dental (100%), vision (100%), and life insurance (100% of $50,000 policy) plans. Eligible employees may purchase family/dependent health benefits and additional life insurance through these plans. Optional benefits include voluntary participation in Cal Voices’ 403(b) retirement plan, pre-tax health and dependent care accounts, long term disability plan, and more. 
• Paid Time Off:   Up to 20 days per year 
• Paid Holidays:   Up to 13 days per year

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS  (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

• You must complete Cal Voices’ online application. Submitting your name and contact information in response to this job announcement is not sufficient. We will not consider resumes or other application materials by email, fax, mail, in-person, or any other method outside of our online application. The link to the online application is provided in this job announcement. 
• Do your homework. We want to hire the right person, not a warm body. Do not apply if you do not meet all of the Minimum Qualifications for this position. Learn about Cal Voices, who we are, and what we do before you apply. Check out our website (www.calvoices.org, www.wiseup.work, www.accesscalifornia.org and www.californiapeers.org) to read about our programs, values, and governing philosophies. Your application will reveal your level of interest in this position and desire to work at Cal Voices. 
• Be prepared. A link to the job description is provided in this job announcement. Download the job description for this position and read it thoroughly to confirm this opportunity is right for you. Keep a copy of it with you when completing the online application, as several questions will ask you to respond to specific information in the job description. You must upload an electronic copy of your resume in the online application. A separate cover letter is not required or desired. The online application asks you to provide the names and contact information for two professional references, so make sure this information is up-to-date and ready to go. 
• Take your time. The online application may take up to 30 minutes to complete, as it replaces the need for a cover letter and screening interview. You can save your progress at any time and return later to complete your application before the deadline. When reviewing your application, we will consider how your responses reflect your qualities as a potential employee. Your ability to follow instructions and pay attention to detail, as well as demonstrate your thoughtfulness, thoroughness, accuracy, spelling, and grammar all matter. Slow down and make your responses count. 

If you have any questions about this position, please contact: 


Contact Person:          Andrea Housley, Program Manager

Email/Phone:              ahousley@calvoices.org / 916-390-7238

Email Subject Line:  CST Peer Specialist Position

APPLICATION LINK:     https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/3266206/Cal-Voices-Employment-Application