Peer Support Specialist (43527)

Join us at St. Anne’s Family Services: Making a Difference in Families' Lives

About Us: St. Anne's Family Services is dedicated to transforming lives and communities. We're committed to providing unwavering support to families, from pregnancy to parenthood and childhood to adulthood. Our work brings about life-changing transformation, and we're seeking a Peer Support Specialist  to join our team and be a vital part of this mission.

Why Choose Us:

• Making a Difference: Every day, you'll contribute to breaking the cycles of poverty and ensuring families stay together, creating a lasting impact by supporting our teams.
• Collaborative Environment: Join a passionate team dedicated to our mission, where your insights and expertise are valued.
• Professional Growth: We support your career development and offer training to help you grow.
• Community Impact: Become part of a trauma informed organization that makes a positive difference.
• Work-Life Flexibility: We offer hybrid schedules for many roles and a 9/80 work schedule.

Salary and Benefits:

• Pay Range: $21.35 -26.95 /hourly
• Paid Time Off: 10 paid holidays, and a generous PTO policy
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Medical, Non-Stop Benefits Card (we pay for most medical services and copays!)
• Dental, and Vision Insurance, Pet Insurance
• Chiropractic and Acupuncture services, 20+ visits per year
• Disability Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• 403(b) Company Match
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• And more!

Compensation: In accordance with California law, the expected salary range for this position is posted with this position.  The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.

About the Program: Residential Treatment Program (STRTP): This short-term residential therapeutic program provides services to pregnant, parenting, and at-risk young women (and their children) ages 13-18 in the foster care and/or juvenile justice system. These youth are typically placed by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or Probation Department.

Salary and Schedule:

• Pay Range: $21.35 - $26.95 per hour 
• Schedule: Monday - Thursday 10am-7pm, with a flex Friday 10am-6pm

Work Location Requirement: Based on operational needs, employees may be assigned to work at either 155 N. Occidental Blvd or the I-STRTP location at 134 N. Occidental Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, located across the street. Flexibility to work at either site is required.

JOB SUMMARY:

Provide advocacy services to all program participants.  Maintain a healthy, therapeutic, and safe environment for all participants.  Must have the ability to communicate both verbally and in writing to participants and fellow employees.  Ensure an environment which addresses the spiritual, physical, emotional and developmental needs of all participants and their children. 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

1. Provide participants with linkage and referrals.
2. Consult with treatment team regarding cases.
3. Provide advocacy services for participants and their families to include obtaining information, identifying needs/barriers, engage in problem solving, and linkage to appropriate resources.
4. Provide in-home support services and related activities as outlined in the treatment plan.
5. Serve as a member of team to address needs of the participants  and families.
6. Help identify and determine strategies to manage needs and/or triggers to escalation and barriers to treatment progression. Report concerns the appropriate team members.
7. Act as a liaison with the Department of Children and Family Services, Probation Department and other community resources as well as communicate through fax and telephone contact with licensing bodies when appropriate.
8. Research community resources and provide information to participants and assist with making use of available community resources.
9. Ensure accuracy in work and that all deadline expectations are met.
10. Actively participate in administrative and clinical supervision and meetings.
11. Follow up with supervisor in a timely manner regarding significant issues.
12. Document clients’ progress within Department of Mental Health documentation guidelines and standards.
13. Demonstrate ownership of work responsibilities by incorporating feedback, taking initiative, and interacting in a professional manner within assigned role and adhering to agency guidelines.
14. Provide in-home support services and related activities as outline in the services plan.
15. Serve as a member of a team to address the needs of clients and families.
16. Always maintain professional boundaries with clients.
17. Maintain consistent and regular attendance. Must work onsite to fulfill duties.
18. Maintain confidentiality as required by licensing, HIPAA, and other regulatory agencies.
19. St. Anne’s values the dignity and worth of every person we serve. Employees are expected to support children’s emotional and social development by encouraging understanding of others and promoting positive self-concepts. All employees must have the ability to treat those served by our agency in a caring and respectful manner, mindful of individual differences and cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity.
20. As providers of social services, St. Anne’s employees work with clients dealing with complex emotional and mental health issues, many of whom are facing significant personal crises on a daily basis.  Employees must remain aware of any personal emotions, transference, and/or countertransference that may hinder the ability to remain professional.  As such, employees are expected to maintain composure during all interactions and crisis situations, implement a self-care plan, and utilize crisis communication to deescalate client crisis and prevent any serious bodily injury or harm.

SECONDARY JOB DUTIES

1. Participate in mandatory trainings, in-services, and meetings.
2. Travel to clients’ homes and provide transportation as necessary.
3. Participate in the Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) of the agency.
4. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelors of Arts or Bachelors of Science degree, or at least one year of work experience in a similar field.
2. Recipient of DMH, DCFS, probation and/or school-based services, or with lived experience required.
3. Previous case management experience preferred.
4. Previous experience working with children and adolescents preferred.
5. Must posses and maintain a valid CA drivers’ license, automotive liability insurance, and a driving record acceptable to agency’s insurance carriers.
6. Good oral, written and organizational skills.
7. Physical ability to administer first aid/CPR and operate a motor vehicle.
8. Ability to receive and implement constructive feedback.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. 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; While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, use hands to finger, hand or feel objects, tools or controls and talk or hear.  The employee is often required to stand and sit; reach with hands and arms; at times may be required to stoop, kneel, crouch, to crawl.
2. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
3. Employee may occasionally be required to drive a motor vehicle. This position requires up to 30% in-state travel during the workweek.
4. Physical ability to provide Pro-Act
5. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.