Peer Support Specialist - Extra-Help Peer Support Specialist at Merced County, CA

About the Department

Please Note: This recruitment is being established to obtain a current eligible list for both Full-Time and Extra-Help vacancies. Extra-Help are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week. Extra-Help pay is up to $18.40 per hour.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Learns to interview and participate in educational and clinical settings; assist consumers to complete forms.
   
• Learns to assist outreach Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Social Services, or Probation staff in linking consumers with resources and in appropriate level of care.
   
• Learns to lead activity groups and prevocational groups in a program setting.
   
• Learns to identify and utilize appropriate community agencies for referral of consumers.
   
• May work in non-traditional settings such as community shelters, outreach programs, etc.
   
• Prepare routine reports and correspondence and maintain consumer records.
   
• Participates in in-service or other training courses and staff meetings.
   
• May assist consumers in various skills needed for craft activities and transport to various activities.
   
• May assist therapists, social workers, or probation officers with communication with non-English speaking consumers.
   
• Helps provide a therapeutic climate for patients by listening and socializing with them.
   
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Duties

Experience:
Background with Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Child Welfare, or Criminal Justice System as a consumer, family member, or significant other of a consumer.

Education:
Must be able to read and write at the level required by the specific job assignment. 

Special Requirement:
Possess a valid California Driver License at the time of appointment and maintain, for some positions in this classification.  

Desirable:
Background in assisting persons with histories of alcohol and drug abuse.

Six (6) months experience with direct contact in a behavioral health and recovery service, medical, probation, or human service setting.

Six (6) months experience in a health related field providing services to consumer and/or continuous consumer contact.

High school diploma or equivalent.

Bilingual is preferred.

SOME POSITIONS IN THIS CLASSIFICATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS PURSUANT TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECTION 2, B

Minimum Qualifications

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
 

• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
  
  
• Meet deadlines under stressful conditions; complete multiple projects with conflicting deadlines.
  
  
• Ability to identify potential conflicts and refer appropriately.
  
  
• Effectively work with culturally diverse populations.
  
  
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
  
  
• Understand and ensure compliance with policies, procedures and regulations.
  
  
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
  
  
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
  
  
• Kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance and crawl; occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
  
  
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
  
  
• Frequent use of data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motion.
  
  
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

• Basic knowledge of principles, procedures, techniques, and trends of providing rehabilitation services for Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Social Services, or Probation consumers and/or those with alcohol and drug addictions.
  
  
• Basic knowledge of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services characteristics, Social Service Agencies, and the Criminal Justice system.
  
  
• Have knowledge of scope, availability, and activities of community resources, including other Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Social Service Agencies, and/or Probation.
  
  
• Knowledge of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Social Services, and/or Probation Services from a consumer's perspective.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with consumers and families, co-workers and those contacted during the course of work.
  
  
• Organize and coordinate basic living skills activities.
  
  
• Assist with development and implementation of consumer plan of care.
  
  
• Maintain the confidentiality of consumer information.
  
  
• Prepare reports and notes within timelines; understand and follow oral and written instructions.
  
  
• Document consumer progress on stated goals and objectives.
  
  
• Empathize with consumers; understand and accept differences in human behavior.
  
  
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing; benefit from training.