OCERS
Peer Support Specialist (Mental Health Worker II)
OCERS, Santa Ana, California, United States, 92725
Overview
PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST (Mental Health Worker II) Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization. This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until the needs of the County are met. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The first round of consideration will be Friday, October 3, 2025. The recruitment will establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Mental Health Worker II positions and may be used to fill positions in similar or lower classifications throughout the County.
Agency, Department and Programs
THE AGENCY County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is dedicated to promoting optimal health for individuals, families and the community. The Agency operates with a leadership team and five service areas: Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Specialized Medical Services and Public Health Services. THE DEPARTMENT Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division provides a client-centered system of behavioral health services for all eligible County residents in need of treatment for alcohol and other drug use and mental health care. THE PROGRAMS Adult and Older Adult (AOA) outpatient behavioral health services emphasize recovery, needs-based planning, and involvement in service delivery. Children and Youth Services (CYS) provides outpatient behavioral health services to Medi-Cal eligible or uninsured children and youth, including case management, therapy, evaluation and medication support.
Opportunity
The immediate vacancy is within the CYS program. The Peer Support Specialist assigned to CYS will serve as a Parent Partner or Youth Partner, delivering peer support services to children, youth and families. Activities may include individual and group skill-building, referrals and linkage to resources, transportation support, and collaboration with clinicians to support treatment goals. Possession of a California Class C Driver License is required for CYS positions to drive to community sites and attend appointments. Mileage is reimbursed for work-related travel.
Desirable Qualifications & Core Competencies
The ideal candidate will have at least two (2) years of experience providing peer support in a behavioral health setting, and a High School diploma or GED (or higher) may be required for some positions. Lived experience with a mental health condition is required or strongly encouraged, with one of the following options: Past or current consumer of mental health services Providing support to an adult family member in mental health recovery Parent/caregiver advocating on behalf of a child/youth receiving mental health services Mental health recovery considerations exclude developmental or cognitive disorders. For some Parent/Youth Partner positions, lived experience with Juvenile Justice or Child Welfare systems is highly desirable. Experience working with the target population (children/youth and their families, adults or older adults) is highly desirable. Bilingual skills in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, and Farsi are highly desirable.
Competencies Professional and Technical Expertise | Using Technology Understanding of recovery and peer support practices within behavioral health Provide client/family and parent/caregiver services in field/community settings Offer consistent support, guidance and concrete assistance to parents/caregivers Support life skills, coping strategies, budgeting, housing access, transportation assistance Coordinate services with community resources and assist with access paperwork Promote recovery knowledge to educate clients, families, and team members Plan and facilitate meaningful activities involving clients and families Collect data on interventions and outcomes Meet with clients and families to assess needs and develop care plans Facilitate wellness and recovery skills groups; attend trainings Use a computer to complete forms, prepare reports, log data and track referrals
Building and Maintaining Relationships | Professional Impact Establish meaningful, safe, welcoming relationships with clients and families Maintain frequent contact to build trust Model recovery and support client goals; help remove access barriers Participate in collaborative meetings with service providers and peers
Written and Oral Communication | Presentation Communicate effectively with participants, referral sources and the treatment team Present information clearly in writing or in person Convey appropriate information concisely for the audience Maintain client confidentiality
Minimum Qualifications
Refer to the minimum qualifications for Mental Health Worker II for full details. A California Driver License may be required if appointed to CYS.
Recruitment Process
HRS screens all applications to identify qualified applicants. Qualified applicants are referred to the next step. Applicants will be notified by email of status. Veterans employment preference is provided where applicable. Online assessments may be used and the most successful candidates placed on an eligible list. The selection procedures may be modified as needed and candidates will be notified of changes.
Notifications and Contacts
Email notifications are primary; ensure a valid email address is on file. Do not share user accounts. Check governmentjobs.com and ocgov.com domains for correspondence and update your profile at governmentjobs.com if your email changes. For questions, contact the recruiter at the listed number or email.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST (Mental Health Worker II) Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization. This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until the needs of the County are met. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The first round of consideration will be Friday, October 3, 2025. The recruitment will establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Mental Health Worker II positions and may be used to fill positions in similar or lower classifications throughout the County.
Agency, Department and Programs
THE AGENCY County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is dedicated to promoting optimal health for individuals, families and the community. The Agency operates with a leadership team and five service areas: Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Specialized Medical Services and Public Health Services. THE DEPARTMENT Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division provides a client-centered system of behavioral health services for all eligible County residents in need of treatment for alcohol and other drug use and mental health care. THE PROGRAMS Adult and Older Adult (AOA) outpatient behavioral health services emphasize recovery, needs-based planning, and involvement in service delivery. Children and Youth Services (CYS) provides outpatient behavioral health services to Medi-Cal eligible or uninsured children and youth, including case management, therapy, evaluation and medication support.
Opportunity
The immediate vacancy is within the CYS program. The Peer Support Specialist assigned to CYS will serve as a Parent Partner or Youth Partner, delivering peer support services to children, youth and families. Activities may include individual and group skill-building, referrals and linkage to resources, transportation support, and collaboration with clinicians to support treatment goals. Possession of a California Class C Driver License is required for CYS positions to drive to community sites and attend appointments. Mileage is reimbursed for work-related travel.
Desirable Qualifications & Core Competencies
The ideal candidate will have at least two (2) years of experience providing peer support in a behavioral health setting, and a High School diploma or GED (or higher) may be required for some positions. Lived experience with a mental health condition is required or strongly encouraged, with one of the following options: Past or current consumer of mental health services Providing support to an adult family member in mental health recovery Parent/caregiver advocating on behalf of a child/youth receiving mental health services Mental health recovery considerations exclude developmental or cognitive disorders. For some Parent/Youth Partner positions, lived experience with Juvenile Justice or Child Welfare systems is highly desirable. Experience working with the target population (children/youth and their families, adults or older adults) is highly desirable. Bilingual skills in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, and Farsi are highly desirable.
Competencies Professional and Technical Expertise | Using Technology Understanding of recovery and peer support practices within behavioral health Provide client/family and parent/caregiver services in field/community settings Offer consistent support, guidance and concrete assistance to parents/caregivers Support life skills, coping strategies, budgeting, housing access, transportation assistance Coordinate services with community resources and assist with access paperwork Promote recovery knowledge to educate clients, families, and team members Plan and facilitate meaningful activities involving clients and families Collect data on interventions and outcomes Meet with clients and families to assess needs and develop care plans Facilitate wellness and recovery skills groups; attend trainings Use a computer to complete forms, prepare reports, log data and track referrals
Building and Maintaining Relationships | Professional Impact Establish meaningful, safe, welcoming relationships with clients and families Maintain frequent contact to build trust Model recovery and support client goals; help remove access barriers Participate in collaborative meetings with service providers and peers
Written and Oral Communication | Presentation Communicate effectively with participants, referral sources and the treatment team Present information clearly in writing or in person Convey appropriate information concisely for the audience Maintain client confidentiality
Minimum Qualifications
Refer to the minimum qualifications for Mental Health Worker II for full details. A California Driver License may be required if appointed to CYS.
Recruitment Process
HRS screens all applications to identify qualified applicants. Qualified applicants are referred to the next step. Applicants will be notified by email of status. Veterans employment preference is provided where applicable. Online assessments may be used and the most successful candidates placed on an eligible list. The selection procedures may be modified as needed and candidates will be notified of changes.
Notifications and Contacts
Email notifications are primary; ensure a valid email address is on file. Do not share user accounts. Check governmentjobs.com and ocgov.com domains for correspondence and update your profile at governmentjobs.com if your email changes. For questions, contact the recruiter at the listed number or email.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr