Turning Point of Central California, Inc. was founded in 1970. For over 50 years now, we have been transforming lives across the state of California. From Mental Health to Community Corrections, Children’s Services, Housing Programs, Recovery Services, Substance Abuse Disorders & more; we serve people in need. Our desire is to see individuals reach their full potential, and create lasting change that will stand the test of time. 

JOB SUMMARY

Are you looking for a meaningful role in behavioral health and have the desire to help people develop skills, motivation, and resources to become productive members of society; healthy in body, mind, and spirit? If you are passionate about serving people in need, we invite you to join the Turning Point family!

Hope House Madera and Oakhurst Mountain Wellness Centers are drop-in wellness and recovery programs that serve adults and transitional-age youth. Services follow a community center model, allowing membership for residents of Madera County. We provide social activities, peer support, mental health education, and life skills building.

This position’s primary worksite is the Oakhurst Mountain Wellness Center, located at 49774 Road 426, Suite B, Oakhurst, CA 93644. The Peer Support Specialist I reports to the management team that oversees the position and is responsible for holding hope for those they serve. The role of the Peer Support Specialist I is to partner with those they serve to envision and achieve a meaningful and purposeful life. Peer Support Specialists help program participants identify and build on strengths and empower them to choose for themselves, recognizing that there are multiple pathways to wellness and recovery.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide wellness and recovery-focused peer-to-peer support in a community center setting.
2. Use active listening, motivational interviewing, and peer support skills to understand an individual’s needs and respond appropriately.
3. Serve as an advocate and mentor, modeling and demonstrating competency in effective coping skills, self-help strategies, and wellness and recovery principles.
4. Develop and maintain professional peer support relationships that are respectful, trusting, empathetic, collaborative, and mutual with the person served to empower the individual to identify specific wellness and recovery hopes, preferences, and goals.
5. Lead wellness and recovery groups and activities to support participants in building daily life skills, social skills, mental wellness, and physical wellness, reducing harm, stress management, building self-esteem, enhancing social connections, and developing interpersonal effectiveness skills.
6. Provide member orientation for new participants, including a tour of the center and a review of participant guidelines, services, activities, and group schedules.
7. Provides peer assistance and mentoring to promote engagement in supportive networks, natural supports, and activities within and outside the behavioral health system, such as crisis hotlines, counseling services, or other community support options.
8. Maintain confidentiality and respect the confidential nature of conversations held with individuals seeking support and adhere to professional boundaries, ethics, and legal guidelines.
9. Outreaches to unengaged individuals, face-to-face or by phone.
10. Work collaboratively with other members of the team to ensure a coordinated and effective response to each individual served.
11. Participate in training and professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills related to peer support and crisis intervention.
12. Ensure members and visitors comply with program policies and schedules. 
13. Remain flexible and adaptable to changes in workload and assignments
14. Provide the management team timely reports on any unusual occurrences that might impact the overall program operation or the health and safety of participants, family members, guests, or employees. 
15. Think and act quickly and efficiently in emergencies. 
16. Physical presence at the office is required.
17. Will drive on Agency business and travel between wellness centers as needed. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. High school diploma or equivalent, and three (3) months of recent paid or volunteer experience in behavioral health support, performing duties such as interacting with individuals or clients concerning behavioral health or social service matters, answering questions and providing information about behavioral health or social services and facilitating peer support groups is preferred.
2. Must satisfy all requirements and successfully complete a Peer Support Services (PSS) training program that will qualify for state-recognized PSS certification within the first 12 months of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to work with individuals and staff members of diverse cultural backgrounds.
2. Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
3. Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and specialized software applications and programs.
4. Possessing CPR and emergency first aid certification is preferred.
5. Basic computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Office 365, and Teams; Zoom and other communication/meeting platforms.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

1. Be on-site at the assigned location during regularly scheduled work hours. 
2. Must complete at least 40 hours of assigned training on an annual basis.
3. Must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to a dependable means of transportation that is properly insured and operated in accordance with all laws throughout the course of employment in this position. Agency insurer authorization is required. 
4. Pass a criminal background check and maintain compliance with Program requirements.
5. Pass a pre-employment TB test and drug screen; maintain compliance with Program requirements as related to TB Testing and organizational policies as related to substance use

COMPANY BENEFITS:

• Pay Range: Class 100 ($16.63 - $20.23/hour)
• Company paid benefits package including medical, dental, vision, Employee Assistance Program, Pension Fund and many other voluntary benefits
• Qualified non-profit for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
• Regular work schedule (Monday through Friday, 8am - 5pm)

We are a diverse, inclusive and equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age (40 ), disability status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Turning Point of Central California, Inc. will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Turning Point of Central California, Inc. is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage.