Certified Peer Support Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides recovery experience support, advocacy, and assistance to clients in the substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program. This position draws on lived experience and peer support principles to foster recovery, resiliency, and empowerment among clients. Working closely with the multidisciplinary treatment team, Peer’s provide feedback and perspective to improve the effectiveness of behavioral health services, while modeling positive recovery practices. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Support & Advocacy

• Communicate, represent, and promote the perspectives, needs, and strengths of clients and their families/caregivers within the SUD program.
• Facilitate peer led and self help groups for clients, family members, and caregivers, consistent with program guidelines and PPS principles.
• Shadow and support individual and group therapy sessions, demonstrating understanding of substance use disorders, codependence, recovery principles, and group dynamics, within the scope of the PSS role.
• Support discharge planning and continuity of care activities, including assistance with employment resources, housing coordination, and community reintegration supports.
• Maintain respectful, professional, and recovery oriented interactions while modeling healthy boundaries and supporting individual client recovery goals.
• Transport clients to offsite appointments, community resources, and recovery related activities, ensuring a safe, supportive, and professional environment in accordance with company policies.

Program Engagement & Participation

• Attend and actively participate in special events, conferences, workshops, and required trainings as assigned.
• Participate in case conferences, utilization reviews, and interdisciplinary staff meetings, contributing peer perspective and client centered feedback when appropriate.
• Engage in required in service trainings, continuing education, and professional development activities to maintain competency and regulatory compliance.

Team Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate effectively with clinical staff, family members, probation officers, social workers, and other multidisciplinary team members.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and professional communication with supervisors, team members, families, and referral sources.
• Identify and report client concerns, behavioral issues, safety risks, or program needs to appropriate supervisory staff in accordance with policy.
• Support and adhere to organizational policies, procedures, and operational goals established by leadership.

Administrative & Operational Duties

• Assist with routine administrative tasks as assigned by the Program Manager or supervisor to support program operations.
• Ensure compliance with attendance standards and timely completion of required trainings and documentation (e.g., Relias).
• Support and uphold all safety standards, including risk management practices, emergency procedures, and facility protocols.

Additional Duties and Scope of Responsibility

• The duties listed represent the essential functions of the position and are not exhaustive.
• Employees may be assigned additional job related duties, consistent with their role, training, licensure (if applicable), and applicable laws, to support operations, regulatory compliance, safety, and client care.

COMPETENCIES  

Continuous Learning

• Assesses own strengths and weaknesses, seeks feedback to improve performance, pursues training and development opportunities, strives to continuously build knowledge and skills, and shares expertise with others.

Customer Service

• Displays courtesy and sensitivity, manages difficult or emotional customer situations, meets commitments, responds promptly to customer needs, and solicits customer feedback to improve services.

Planning and Organization

• Prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, plans for additional resources, integrates changes smoothly, sets goals and objectives, works in an organized manner.

Problem Solving

• Identifies problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully, develops alternative solutions, resolves problems in early stages, and works well in group problem solving situations.

Teamwork

• Balances team and individual responsibilities, exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views, gives and welcomes feedback, contributes to building a positive team spirit, and puts the success of the team above own interests.

Use of Technology

• Demonstrates required skills, adapts to new technologies, troubleshoots technological problems, uses technology to increase productivity, and keeps technical skills up to date.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Licensure

• Must maintain active and current registration through a recognized body such as CalMHSA. (required) 
• Ongoing credential maintenance is required as a condition of employment. (required)

Experience

• Lived Experience Requirement: Minimum of one (1) year of lived experience in behavioral health or substance use disorder (SUD) recovery, either through personal recovery or direct involvement in the recovery journey of a close family member. Candidates must demonstrate meaningful engagement with the recovery community and a willingness to share their recovery story when appropriate, in a way that supports and inspires others. (Required)

• Bilingual in English and Spanish (read, write, and speak proficiently). (Preferred)

Education

• High School Diploma or GED. (required)

Certifications

• Must hold current CPR and First Aid certification or obtain certification within 30 days of hire (training provided by employer).

Other Requirements

• Valid California Driver’s License (required) and insurability under company policy.
• Successful completion of FBI/DOJ fingerprint clearance, negative TB test, and pre employment drug screening, consistent with regulatory requirements.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight shifts as operationally required.

Regulatory & Program Compliance Requirements

As an employee of a licensed substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facility, staff must meet and maintain all regulatory requirements, including:

• Adhering to the Company’s drug free workplace standards and all DHCS licensing requirements.
• Employees in recovery from substance use must maintain a minimum of two (2) years of continuous sobriety, consistent with SUD program standards for client facing, safety sensitive, and supportive care roles.
• This position is classified as safety sensitive and requires ongoing compliance with the Company’s drug free workplace, safety, and emergency response policies, including random drug testing, consistent with applicable law and regulatory requirements to ensure client and workplace safety.

Knowledge & Skills

• Familiarity with substance use disorder treatment program structure, facility operations, and organizational policies.
• Proficiency in clinical documentation, daily reports, and electronic health record (EHR) systems.
• Demonstrated skill in crisis deescalation, safety planning, and behavioral intervention techniques consistent with program protocols.
• Strong interpersonal, professional communication, and boundary setting skills when working with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast paced, client centered treatment environment.
• Working knowledge of HIPAA, confidentiality standards, and regulatory requirements applicable to licensed SUD treatment facilities.

PHYSICAL, SENSORY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATIONS

The physical and environmental conditions described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions, in accordance with applicable law.

Physical Requirements

This position primarily operates in an office or clinical environment. The role requires sufficient physical ability and mobility to:

• Sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods, including movement between buildings and use of stairs as required for job related and emergency response duties. 
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling up to 50 pounds as required for client care, safety, or operational needs 
• Assisting with client mobility and repositioning as necessary. 
• Performing repetitive hand movements, including keyboarding, grasping, and reaching to operate standard office and medical equipment (e.g., computer, telephone, blood pressure cuffs). 
• Occasionally stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and twisting. 
• Performing CPR and other emergency response procedures as required by the position, following training and organizational protocols.

Vision Requirements

• Ability to effectively perform job duties requiring close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to visually monitor work areas, read documents, and use computer systems and medical equipment.

Communication Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, clients, and medical professionals, verbally and in writing, with or without reasonable accommodation. 
• Ability to receive and respond to auditory information necessary for job performance and emergency situations, with or without assistive devices.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in an office and/or clinical setting with frequent client interaction and occasional interruptions. 
• May involve exposure to bodily fluids, odors, cleaning agents, and other environmental conditions consistent with a healthcare setting. 
• Must be able to respond to emergencies throughout the facility, including areas that may require stair access, subject to reasonable accommodation where feasible.