Peer Support Specialist I

Under immediate supervision, utilizes lived experience to build rapport and provide support, guidance, education, and advocacy to clients and their families; assists clients with accessing and navigating behavioral health care services, resources, and systems of care; encourages full client engagement in services to promote wellness and recovery; transports clients to and from appointments; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.The job functions listed below are not inclusive or exclusive and are intended only as illustrations or examples of the various types of work that may be performed. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.

Some duties may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level positions.

• Provides peer to peer support services in the office and/or in the field including, but not limited to outreach, support, encouragement, guidance, advocacy, and referrals to external resources and services for clients and their families; builds rapport with and empowers clients and their families through sharing stories of lived experience, resilience, and recovery.
• Encourages and supports clients and family members/caregivers to fully engage in services; provides outreach and assists clients in addressing and overcoming barriers to treatment.
• Provides resources and referrals to address basic needs and other barriers to wellness and recovery including food, housing, clothing, transportation, and other financial resources.
• Screens and interviews peer clients to obtain medical, family, financial, and other relevant information; assists clients and families in understanding behavioral health problems and steps to recovery.
• Provides support and guidance in navigating systems and obtaining additional support services; transports clients; attends meetings and therapy sessions with clients; assists with completing applications and forms; and ensures client concerns are addressed and processes understood.
• Provides advice and guidance to clients and staff related to area of expertise, based on lived experience.
• Promotes skill building for clients in the areas of socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, and self-advocacy.
• Participates as a member of multidisciplinary treatment teams; addresses client concerns, barriers, progress, and other relevant information to enhance treatment services; assists and supports clients in maintaining cooperative and effective relationships with treatment teams.
• Serves as mentor to teach and show peer clients and family members how to function more independently and in finding community resources; assists with access/linkage to community resources such as housing, transportation, education, and employment.
• Attends and participates in a variety of meetings, trainings, peer review activities, and other functions involving supervision, case consultation and public information and education.
• Maintains accurate, detailed, and thorough documentation, case records, and notes of all client interactions, activities and services related to client care; completes necessary documentation for billing purposes.
• Performs routine administrative program support; assists in the gathering, compilation, and evaluation of data; maintains files and records.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Some knowledge and abilities may be performed by positions at the entry level in a learning capacity.

Knowledge of:

• County and department programs, goals, policies, and procedures.
• Operations and services provided through a peer support program.
• Behavioral health issues within targeted population groups.
• Behavioral health care systems and services.
• Principles and practices of building and maintaining strong relationships and connections to peers.
• Program policies and procedures.
• Community resources and service agencies, including both private and other public agencies.
• Basic needs and challenges for individuals and families accessing behavioral health services, including cultural barriers.
• Community socio-economic and cultural demographics.
• Methods and techniques of providing outreach services to the community.
• Methods and techniques of communicating program services to a diverse community.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language to effectively perform the work.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Provide peer mentoring and advocacy support and services to clients and their families/caregivers.
• Engage and encourage clients to participate in treatment services by sharing stories of lived experience and inspiring hope.
• Provide referrals for services within the County and the community.
• Provide a safe and welcoming environment for clients.
• Understand the socio-economic and cultural differences in a diverse community and how they impact peer client behavior.
• Work as a member of a team to deliver effective program services.
• Demonstrate strong active listening skills.
• Maintain files and records.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive personal information.
• Prepare clear and concise correspondence, client case documentation, and other written materials.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to the work performed.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Direct experience either personally or as a caregiver of someone who has recovered from mental illness and/or substance use disorder and six (6) months of full-time experience providing peer related services in a behavioral health services program.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate California driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.

Only qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the examination process which may be administered by a written examination, oral interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.

Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for the assessment listed below. Passing score is 70% out of 100%.

THE APPRAISAL PANEL (100%) IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026

To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our websitehttps://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/maderacountyca. All job postings are also included via the TDD phone at 559-675-8970 and the 24-hour job line at 559-675-8685. Please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded) to your application or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application.

For an open recruitment, applicants claiming veteran's preference must submit a copy of their DD-214 form along with the application. Candidates who attain ranking on an eligible list and are involuntarily called to active duty may be considered for eligibility reinstatement upon their return.

PLACEMENT ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST:
The Civil Service Commission may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the examination process. If two or more candidates have the same total final score on an examination, they shall be ranked in order of their scores in that portion of the examination which has the greatest weight. The names of two or more eligibles having final ratings which are identical shall be grouped on the eligible list as tie names with equal rank for certification and appointment purposes.

Candidates who are successful in all phases of the examination process will be placed on an eligible list, in rank order based on a calculation of their total score from the examination process. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of six (6) months or one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to section 6-4 (b) and may be extended for up to an additional year by the Commission.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:
As a condition of employment with the County of Madera, a candidate must submit to a Tuberculosis (TB) screening, and related follow up testing as necessary. Designated classifications* are also subject to a medical examination, which includes a review of medical history. TB screenings and medical exams are administered by the Madera County Public Health Department and/or health care professional designated by the County.

Designated classifications required to submit to an employment medical examination generally include those that are physical in nature or as may be required by law. If you have any questions about the pre-employment requirements, please contact the Department of Human Resources at (559) 675-7705 orhr@maderacounty.com.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT:
You will be required to submit verification of your identity and citizenship or legal right to work in the United States at the time of and as a condition of an offer of employment.

As a condition of employment, all prospective employees shall be required to be fingerprinted.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Madera County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, political affiliation, or any other basis protected by Federal or State law.