Job Details

Position Title: Peer Support Specialist (Certified)
Company Description: NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a nonprofit organization that provides free education, support services, and advocacy to improve the quality of life of everyone affected by mental health conditions.
Primary Responsibilities/Functions: NAMI is in partnership with UPAC (The Union of Pan Asian Communities) with UPAC as the lead agency and NAMI as the subcontracted for the Alternatives to Incarceration program, a program that provides "comprehensive care coordination, service navigation, peer support, and housing-related assistance to individuals who have interacted with the legal system or at risk of justice involvement, and are at risk of/or experiencing homelessness." Our multi-disciplinary team, includes: Peer Support Specialists, Housing Specialist, Case Managers, Admin Support and a Program Manager. This position will work at a UPAC office, work collaboratively with UPAC Staff, and report to UPAC's Program Manager for Alternatives to Incarceration. Given that this program provides support 24/7, this position includes rotating weekend and overnight shifts.
Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will provide outreach and engagement, deliver direct services, and promote recovery and resiliency for persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) and involvement within the criminal justice system.
Duties and Responsibilities:
* Inspire clients towards recovery and resiliency by being a compassionate and effective role model utilizing motivational interviewing, coaching, trauma-informed model, and housing first language.
* Provides a message of hope, empowerment, self-efficacy by being a supportive person for the
* Provide direct services in the community including advocacy, transportation support, accompaniment to appointments and support expanding social interactions and networks.
* Connect clients to supportive services for participants to address safety, health, social and material
* Conduct effective street outreach to promote program services as
* Provide culturally competent services, work well with people involved with the criminal justice system, TAY, PEH, immigrants, refugees, and other culturally diverse participants.
* Complete special projects in a timely manner, and able to maintain strict confidentiality, with regard to, sensitive or proprietary information or materials.
* Provide documentation compliant to agency, state and county requirements in timely
* Complete assigned work timely and effectively for the program to meet contracted annual performance goal and
* Provide all other related services required by county contract's Statement of
* All the duties and responsibilities shall be delivered in compliance with County of San Diego and other relevant
* Other duties as assigned.
Accountability: Reports to UPAC's Program Manager for Alternatives to Incarceration
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.
* Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
* Prolonged periods of standing and walking.
* Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
Minimum Requirements, including linguistic and cultural skills, education, experiences, licenses and certifications:
* High School diploma, GED or equivalent,
* Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification from CalMHSA; OR CalMHSA-approved 80-hour peer support training in-progress or completed prior to hire and certification obtained within 90 days of employment.
* Have a minimum of one year of recovery from lived experience with justice system involvement, experiencing homelessness, and/or behavioral health diagnosis.
* Ability to establish and maintain supportive relationships with persons of diverse cultural backgrounds.
* Must be open and able to appropriately share their own experiences navigating the justice system, behavioral health services or experience of homelessness personally.
* Demonstrated success completing accurate and timely documentation.
* Must have Certified First Aid and CPR training (including infant CPR) or be willing to obtain certification.
* Must be able to drive (when needed) for business purposes to locations in San Diego County, at times using a company car and at others using your personal vehicle (mileage reimbursed).
* Must have a satisfactory driving record.
* Clear TB Test.
* Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
* Intermediate knowledge of computer software (Microsoft Office, Word, Excel) and web navigation.
* Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
* Reliable and consistent attendance.
* Preferred: Bilingual, bicultural in one of the County of San Diego threshold languages (Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Persian, Somali, Filipino (Tagalog), Vietnamese.