Behavioral Health Peer Specialist

Behavioral Health Peer Specialist

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 6/9/26, 7/14/26, 8/11/26, 9/8/26, 10/13/26, 11/10/26, 12/8/26. Under general supervision, provides peer support such as sharing recovery stories, identifying wellness goals, and providing emotional support to consumers of behavioral health services and their families.

Knowledge of applicable laws, rules and regulations related to behavioral health services; public and private agency services available for families, children, and adults with behavioral health and recovery challenges; crisis intervention techniques; needs and difficulties faced by ethnically diverse consumers and families/caregivers of consumers of behavioral health services; methods and techniques to communicate effectively with behavioral health consumers, families/caregivers, the community, and treatment/care teams; cultural and social factors affecting behavioral health and recovery; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other specialized applications related to area of assignment; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; principles of effective customer service.

Ability to read and understand written and verbal rules, policies, and procedures; maintain client confidentiality; compose and maintain accurate and appropriate records of services provided; meet required timelines for referrals, follow-up, and coordination of care; establish and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, other agencies, and the general public; communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; effectively organize and prioritize work assignments; interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; apply customer service skills, including the identification of customer needs and follow up to ensure customer commitments have been met.

Minimum Qualifications: Currently or previously a consumer of behavioral health services (such as mental health or substance use), or a parent or family member/caregiver of a behavioral health consumer. Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

General Qualifications: Criminal History and Background Checks: The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies, and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate's ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.

License Requirement: A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, shall be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Certification/Training Requirement: Incumbents in this class will be required to complete Federal or State required training and/or certification upon written notice from the appointing authority. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate certification or training may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.

Child and Elder Abuse Reporting: Persons selected for employment in this class must, as a condition of employment, sign a statement agreeing to comply with Section 11166 of the California Penal Code and Section 15630 of the Welfare and Institutions Code relating to child and elder abuse reporting.

Physical Requirements: Positions in this class require the incumbents to: be exposed to emotionally disturbed or mentally ill persons and/or confrontational interpersonal situations; work in dangerous, high crime areas of the community; work during non-routine hours, including evenings, holidays, and weekends; work outside in all types of climatic conditions including inclement, very hot or very cold weather.

Probationary Period: The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.

Application and Testing Information: Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit an online County of Sacramento employment application by 5:00 PM on the posted cut-off date.