County of Orange
Peer Support Specialist (Mental Health Worker II)
County of Orange, 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 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day 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 that will be used to fill current and future Mental Health Worker II positions. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County.
THE AGENCY The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Specialized Medical Services and Public Health Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.
THE DEPARTMENT The Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division consists of the following service areas: Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Health, Children and Youth Services, Quality Management Services, Mental Health Services Act Office, Data Analytics and Evaluation, Crisis and Acute Care Services, Substance Use Services, and Forensics and Justice Involved. These services provide a culturally competent and client-centered system of behavioral health services for all eligible county residents in need of treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse and mental health care.
THE PROGRAMS Adult and Older Adult (AOA) provides outpatient, recovery oriented, behavioral health services which emphasize individual needs, strengths, choices, and involvement in service planning and implementation. Adults and Older Adults who have a serious and persistent mental disorder and may have a co-occurring substance use disorder and impairment in their ability to function in the community or who have a history of recurring substantial functional impairment, hospitalization or symptoms can access services.
Children and Youth Services (CYS) provides outpatient behavioral health services to Medi-Cal eligible or uninsured children and youth who need medically necessary treatment to ameliorate their mental and behavioral health conditions. CYS provides case management, assessment, individual, group and family therapy, psychological testing, psychiatric evaluation and medication support, and therapeutic behavioral services to children and youth in Orange County.
THE OPPORTUNITY The immediate vacancies are within the CYS program. The Peer Support Specialist assigned to the CYS program will serve as a Parent Partner or Youth Partner. This position will work with children, youth and their families providing peer support services which may include individual and group skill building, referral and linkage to resources, transportation support, and other related duties. They will also work with other disciplines such as Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists and Behavioral Health Clinicians and as an adjunct to treatment to assist children and youth to reach their treatment goals and objectives.
Possession of a California Class C Driver License is required for positions in CYS as they will need to drive to various sites in the community to provide services and attend appointments with clients. Mileage will be reimbursed for all work-related travel.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES The ideal candidate will have at least two (2) years of experience providing peer support services in a behavioral health setting on a paid or unpaid basis. A High School diploma or GED (or higher) may be required for some positions, including proof of education if selected for these positions. Additionally, the ideal candidate must have lived experience with a mental health condition by at least one of the following options below and be willing to self-identify and share their experiences to assist consumers and their family members with their recovery journey.
A past or current consumer of mental health services
Providing support to an adult family member in mental health recovery
As a parent/caregiver advocating on behalf of child/youth who is receiving or has received mental health services
Mental health recovery refers to recovery from conditions such as major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Serious Emotional Disturbance (for youth) and other such conditions. It does not include developmental disorders such as autism or cognitive disorders such as dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. For some Parent/Youth Partner positions, lived experience with the Juvenile Justice or Child Welfare System, either directly or as a parent/caregiver is highly desirable.
Experience working with the target population (children/youth and their parents/caregivers, adults or older adults) is highly desirable.
Bilingual skills in the following languages are also highly desirable: Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, and Farsi.
In addition, the ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and/or experience in the following competencies:
Professional and Technical Expertise | Using Technology
Understanding of recovery and resilience and peer support practices within the behavioral health context
Providing client/family and parent/caregiver services in the field/community
Providing consistent and reinforcing support, guidance and concrete assistance to parent/caregiver
Working with clients and parents/caregivers on life skills (e.g., coping skills, self-care, budgeting, nutrition, hygiene, managing stress, socialization, accessing and sustaining housing, obtaining transportation assistance)
Coordinating services with various community resources, including assisting with paperwork needed to access resources
Promoting knowledge of personal recovery and resilience when appropriate, to help educate clients, family members, parents/caregivers and team members in recovery principles, modeling and providing consultations
Planning and facilitating meaningful social and recreational activities and projects involving clients and parents/caregivers, maximizing their skills, talents, engagement, and leadership
Collecting data on intervention activities, client demographics, and outcome measures.
Meeting with clients, family members and parents/caregivers (children & youth) to assess needs, address barriers to accessing services, and assist in the development and implementation of individualized care plans
Facilitating and co-facilitating wellness and recovery skills groups to target population
Attending trainings to increase knowledge and staff capacity about resources, services and how to engage the target population
Using a computer to complete program forms, prepare reports, log data, and track referrals and linkages
Building and Maintaining Relationships | Professional Impact
Establishing meaningful relationships with clients, family members and parents/caregivers, creating a safe and welcoming space
Maintaining frequent contact with clients to develop trust with the target population
Acting as a role model for clients, family members and parents/caregivers, and recognize the value of every individual's recovery experience
Providing assistance and guidance to clients, family members and parents/caregivers and help develop and assess vocational, educational, and other personal goals; help remove barriers to access
Attending collaborative meetings with other service providers, team members, and other peer support specialists to share information, discuss best practices, and case conference
Written and Oral Communication | Presentation
Communicating issues effectively while building relationships with participants, referral sources, and treatment team members
Presenting information clearly and concisely in person and/or in writing
Delivering the right amount of information in the time given and varies style and tone to fit the purpose and audience
Maintaining confidentiality of clients, records, and information
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Click here to learn more about that minimum qualifications for Mental Health Worker II.
Physical Characteristics, Mental Requirements and Environmental Conditions are described in the full job bulletin and may include requirements such as driving to community sites, flexible hours, and the ability to interact with clients in various settings.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via e-mail of their status in the process.
Veterans Employment Preference: The County is committed to providing preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews. Please review the policy.
Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
Online Assessment (Weighted 100%): Candidates who closely match the ideal candidate profile based on the bulletin requirements will be invited to participate in an online assessment. The most successful candidates will be placed on an eligible list.
Eligible List: Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
NOTES Email notification is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Click here for additional FAQs. For questions regarding this recruitment, contact the recruiter at the provided phone or email. Orange County is an equal employment opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
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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 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day 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 that will be used to fill current and future Mental Health Worker II positions. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County.
THE AGENCY The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Specialized Medical Services and Public Health Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.
THE DEPARTMENT The Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division consists of the following service areas: Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Health, Children and Youth Services, Quality Management Services, Mental Health Services Act Office, Data Analytics and Evaluation, Crisis and Acute Care Services, Substance Use Services, and Forensics and Justice Involved. These services provide a culturally competent and client-centered system of behavioral health services for all eligible county residents in need of treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse and mental health care.
THE PROGRAMS Adult and Older Adult (AOA) provides outpatient, recovery oriented, behavioral health services which emphasize individual needs, strengths, choices, and involvement in service planning and implementation. Adults and Older Adults who have a serious and persistent mental disorder and may have a co-occurring substance use disorder and impairment in their ability to function in the community or who have a history of recurring substantial functional impairment, hospitalization or symptoms can access services.
Children and Youth Services (CYS) provides outpatient behavioral health services to Medi-Cal eligible or uninsured children and youth who need medically necessary treatment to ameliorate their mental and behavioral health conditions. CYS provides case management, assessment, individual, group and family therapy, psychological testing, psychiatric evaluation and medication support, and therapeutic behavioral services to children and youth in Orange County.
THE OPPORTUNITY The immediate vacancies are within the CYS program. The Peer Support Specialist assigned to the CYS program will serve as a Parent Partner or Youth Partner. This position will work with children, youth and their families providing peer support services which may include individual and group skill building, referral and linkage to resources, transportation support, and other related duties. They will also work with other disciplines such as Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists and Behavioral Health Clinicians and as an adjunct to treatment to assist children and youth to reach their treatment goals and objectives.
Possession of a California Class C Driver License is required for positions in CYS as they will need to drive to various sites in the community to provide services and attend appointments with clients. Mileage will be reimbursed for all work-related travel.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES The ideal candidate will have at least two (2) years of experience providing peer support services in a behavioral health setting on a paid or unpaid basis. A High School diploma or GED (or higher) may be required for some positions, including proof of education if selected for these positions. Additionally, the ideal candidate must have lived experience with a mental health condition by at least one of the following options below and be willing to self-identify and share their experiences to assist consumers and their family members with their recovery journey.
A past or current consumer of mental health services
Providing support to an adult family member in mental health recovery
As a parent/caregiver advocating on behalf of child/youth who is receiving or has received mental health services
Mental health recovery refers to recovery from conditions such as major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Serious Emotional Disturbance (for youth) and other such conditions. It does not include developmental disorders such as autism or cognitive disorders such as dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. For some Parent/Youth Partner positions, lived experience with the Juvenile Justice or Child Welfare System, either directly or as a parent/caregiver is highly desirable.
Experience working with the target population (children/youth and their parents/caregivers, adults or older adults) is highly desirable.
Bilingual skills in the following languages are also highly desirable: Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, and Farsi.
In addition, the ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and/or experience in the following competencies:
Professional and Technical Expertise | Using Technology
Understanding of recovery and resilience and peer support practices within the behavioral health context
Providing client/family and parent/caregiver services in the field/community
Providing consistent and reinforcing support, guidance and concrete assistance to parent/caregiver
Working with clients and parents/caregivers on life skills (e.g., coping skills, self-care, budgeting, nutrition, hygiene, managing stress, socialization, accessing and sustaining housing, obtaining transportation assistance)
Coordinating services with various community resources, including assisting with paperwork needed to access resources
Promoting knowledge of personal recovery and resilience when appropriate, to help educate clients, family members, parents/caregivers and team members in recovery principles, modeling and providing consultations
Planning and facilitating meaningful social and recreational activities and projects involving clients and parents/caregivers, maximizing their skills, talents, engagement, and leadership
Collecting data on intervention activities, client demographics, and outcome measures.
Meeting with clients, family members and parents/caregivers (children & youth) to assess needs, address barriers to accessing services, and assist in the development and implementation of individualized care plans
Facilitating and co-facilitating wellness and recovery skills groups to target population
Attending trainings to increase knowledge and staff capacity about resources, services and how to engage the target population
Using a computer to complete program forms, prepare reports, log data, and track referrals and linkages
Building and Maintaining Relationships | Professional Impact
Establishing meaningful relationships with clients, family members and parents/caregivers, creating a safe and welcoming space
Maintaining frequent contact with clients to develop trust with the target population
Acting as a role model for clients, family members and parents/caregivers, and recognize the value of every individual's recovery experience
Providing assistance and guidance to clients, family members and parents/caregivers and help develop and assess vocational, educational, and other personal goals; help remove barriers to access
Attending collaborative meetings with other service providers, team members, and other peer support specialists to share information, discuss best practices, and case conference
Written and Oral Communication | Presentation
Communicating issues effectively while building relationships with participants, referral sources, and treatment team members
Presenting information clearly and concisely in person and/or in writing
Delivering the right amount of information in the time given and varies style and tone to fit the purpose and audience
Maintaining confidentiality of clients, records, and information
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Click here to learn more about that minimum qualifications for Mental Health Worker II.
Physical Characteristics, Mental Requirements and Environmental Conditions are described in the full job bulletin and may include requirements such as driving to community sites, flexible hours, and the ability to interact with clients in various settings.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via e-mail of their status in the process.
Veterans Employment Preference: The County is committed to providing preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews. Please review the policy.
Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
Online Assessment (Weighted 100%): Candidates who closely match the ideal candidate profile based on the bulletin requirements will be invited to participate in an online assessment. The most successful candidates will be placed on an eligible list.
Eligible List: Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
NOTES Email notification is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Click here for additional FAQs. For questions regarding this recruitment, contact the recruiter at the provided phone or email. Orange County is an equal employment opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr