Peer Support Specialist

Overview

Join us in making a difference in the lives of youth and their families.

Are you a caregiver who has navigated the complexities of child welfare, foster care, or adoption? Your journey, filled with both challenges and triumphs, has equipped you with invaluable insights and resilience. We are seeking passionate individuals like you to become a Peer Support Specialist at Seneca Family of Agencies. As a Peer Support Specialist, you'll use your lived experience to offer genuine support and advocacy to youth and families. Your role will involve providing one-on-one and group peer support, drawing from your personal journey to engage and guide others in navigating their own paths. You’ll be a beacon of hope and perseverance, showing families that change is possible even when systems have fallen short.

ABOUT WRAPAROUND

Seneca offers intensive "Wraparound" services to children and youth at risk of placement in a high-level residential treatments or juvenile hall. The Wraparound programs are strengths-based, family-driven, flexible, and creative, with the goal of helping the family develop the skills and supports to prevent or reduce the possibility of residential placement of their child. A family-based team addresses the needs of the entire family, not just the at-risk child. This family-based team consists of family members, Seneca's Care Coordinators, Youth counselors, Peer Support Specialists, Permanency Specialist and other community members who have an important role in the family,

ABOUT SENECA 

Seneca Family of Agencies has been nominated among the Bay Area’s Top Workplaces for several consecutive years. We’re committed to providing traditionally marginalized communities with a network of excellent mental health, community-based, and educational services. We are committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourage people of color to apply. Our programs deeply engage in conversations and training on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to bring equity and justice to the youth and families we serve.

Responsibilities

• Provide and communicate guidance, expertise, and support for youth, families, and/or any other natural supports one-on-one and in group settings.
• Demonstrate high level engagement and alignment skills, to build trust and rapport with youth, families, and collateral supports.
• Work as a "collaborative advocate," helping youth, caregivers, and family members understand the mandates and perspectives of other team members while navigating through county systems.
• Use knowledge of community resources, school systems, or other mental health services to help youth and families identify and connect to a family safety network and/or natural support team in the community.
• Provide coaching and support related to safety planning/self-control plans as well as self-care plans for youth/families.
• Attend and participate in mental health awareness activities in the community.
  • Participate in peer forums which may include public speaking engagements.
• Complete all training requirements as indicated by the supervisor.
• Participate in weekly supervision/mentorship with the supervisor or designee.
• Maintain accurate and high-quality documentation and paperwork including but not limited to mental health notes, timesheets, expense reports, and mileage.
• Participate in on-call rotation, if applicable per program requirements.

Qualifications

REQUIRED

• High school diploma/GED
• Personal, lived experience as a caregiver of a youth that has navigated child welfare/foster/adoption services
• At least 18 years of age
• TB test clearance, fingerprinting clearance, and any other state/federal licensing or certification requirements
• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and insurability through Seneca Family of Agencies' insurance policy
• Proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination or an HR-approved medical/religious exemption

SKILLS OF AN IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work with diverse population
• Strong organization and communication skills

Schedule

• Full-time
  • Monday -  Friday
  • 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Benefits

• Starting range is $23.51 - $26.01 per hour
  • Actual salary dependent of creditable experience above the minimum qualifications for the role
  • Additional compensation provided upon passing bilingual language proficiency exam
  • Salary increases each year
• Comprehensive employee benefits package, including: 
  • Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture, and fertility coverage
  • Long-term disability, family leave, and life insurance
  • 50% paid premiums for dependents 
  • 403b retirement plan
  • Employer-paid Employee Assistance Plan
• Seneca is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer
• 5 weeks of flexible paid time off and 11 paid holidays
• Abundant professional development, scholarship, and promotional opportunities