County of Riverside
Mental Health Peer Specialist (Consumer) Desert Region (Finance)
This position is located in Indio, CA
Under close supervision, provide information, support and assistance and advocacy for consumers and/or caregivers/family members/young adults of consumers of mental health services that are related to Substance Use Disorder that assist those with a Substance Use Disorder, to promote wellness, and long-term recovery/sober living lifestyle. The Peer Support Specialist for this position contributes their experience, appropriate self-disclosure and empathy to outreach, network, and support and engage with consumers of the agency
This is the entry and trainee level class in the Mental Health Peer Specialist series. Incumbents are expected to promote to the journey level position of Mental Health Peer Specialist upon meeting the minimum qualifications and with satisfactory work performance.
Incumbents in this class report to either a program supervisor or a regional manager; team with mental health professionals in the provision of consumer treatment, directly assist consumers and families/caregivers in the utilization of appropriate community resources, provide education and information to consumers and the community; and provide a unique consumer perspective to the mental health team.
Incumbents in this class provide basic information, training, support, encouragement, advocacy, service effectiveness assessment and related services in order to assist the consumer and family/caregiver in coping with immediate situations. The consumer and family/caregiver perspective is provided in the development of programs and services and in formulation of treatment strategies. Incumbents of this class do not attempt to modify or change the consumer's personality structure. Classes in this series differ from those in the Clinical Therapist series in that the latter, due to advanced education and experience, use independent judgment in making diagnoses, developing treatment plans, and providing a wide range and variety of mental health services including psychotherapy. This series differs from the Behavioral Health Specialist series in that the latter does not require the unique experience of having been the recipient or having been closely associated with the direct recipient of mental health services.
***Valid CA Driver License will be required.***
***Bilingualcandidates are encourage to apply***
***Work Schedule 9/80 7:30 am - 5:00 pm with every other Friday off***
Meet the Team!
RUHS-Behavioral Health
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• In a training capacity: informs, trains, supports and empowers consumers and families/caregivers who directly or indirectly receive mental health services.
• Communicates, represents and promotes the consumer and families/caregivers' perspective within the mental health system.
• Facilitates self-help groups for consumers, youth, family members and caregivers.
• Attends and participates in special events, conferences, workshops and trainings within the mental health system and in the community.
• Develops activities, programs and resources which support consumers and family/caregivers in achieving their goals.
• Supports the appropriate recognition, acceptance and understanding of social and cultural factors in the provision of mental health services.
• Develops effective working relationships with agencies and organizations to advocate for consumer and family/caregiver empowerment.
• Helps prepare and support clients and families/caregivers at case staffings and at a variety of formal and informal hearings.
• Helps consumers and those who support them to articulate their needs.
• Focuses on and is sensitive to consumer and family/caregiver satisfaction with the services received and general satisfaction with mental health services.
• Assists and promotes consumers and those who support them in support networks and activities.
• Documents all activities as required.
• Provide peer support, appropriate self-disclosure, empathy to outreach and engage with consumers of the agency.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:Depending on the assignment, current or previous experience as a consumer of mental health services or lived experience as a consumer.
Knowledge of: The basic needs and difficulties faced by ethnically diverse consumers, caregivers and families of mental health consumers; the public and/or private agency services available for families, children and adults with serious mental health needs, such as schools, social services and other systems.
Ability to: Learn the basic principles of the mental health system and effectively work within the system; represent and advocate for the consumer perspective within the community and mental health system; understand the cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns; effectively communicate the workings of the mental health system to service consumers, parents, family members and caregivers; establish and maintain working relationships with a wide range of community agencies and organizations; obtain and record accurate information for case documentation and other reports.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Condition of Employment
In accordance with the California Department of Public Health Order dated August 5, 2021, health care facility workers who work in indoor settings where care is provided to patients or where patients have access for any purpose must be vaccinated against COVID-19 as follows: first dose of a one-dose regimen or second dose of a two-dose regimen, by September 30, 2021. Consideration may be given to candidates who are in the process of completing their vaccination regimen.
The Order allows for workers to be exempt from the vaccination requirements by providing the facility with a declination form signed by the individual stating either of the following: (1) the worker is declining vaccination based on Religious Beliefs; or (2) the worker is excused from receiving any COVID-19 vaccine due to Qualifying Medical Reasons. Workers who are exempted from the vaccination requirements must observe all other infection control requirements, including face coverings and regular COVID testing at the frequency required by their work site.
A requirement of employment is to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or a completed COVID-19 Vaccination Declination form (filled out by the candidate and their medical provider as appropriate), during the pre-employment process. Failure to submit the required documentation may render a candidate ineligible to move forward in the process. The County has a Veterans Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 (or NGB-22) indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. See the policy here: https://www.rivcocob.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/C-3-Veterans-Preference-Program.pdf
Veterans' Preference:
Employment Documents:
Upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or (NACES) Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).
What's Next? This recruitment is open to all applicants.
Applicants who are current County of Riverside employees and/or current employees of the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of applications received.
Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.
For more information please contact Courtney Fairman via email cfairman@rivco.org
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note:
This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.
If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.
VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)
Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.
SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance)
BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.
DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable Memorandum of Understanding.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.