Senior Certified Peer Support Specialist

Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is seeking a qualified Senior Certified Peer Support Specialist to support the Mental Health Services Act Family Advocate program in Riverside, CA.

Senior Family Advocates draw upon their lived experience supporting a family member with behavioral health or substance use challenges, along with their formal Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification, to provide individualized, person-centered support to families across Riverside County. In this role, incumbents conduct community outreach, reduce linguistic and cultural barriers, and engage hard-to-reach or underserved families who may struggle to access mental-health services.

Senior Family Advocates deliver psychoeducation presentations, assist families in understanding the behavioral-health system, and promote equitable access to care.

They collaborate closely with clinical teams, model recovery-oriented and trauma-informed practices, and help families navigate resources, treatment processes, and system-level supports. Senior Family Advocates serve as role models within the peer workforce, offering guidance and support to other Family Advocates while ensuring services reflect RUHS-BH values of hope, empowerment, inclusion, and resilience.

Competitive candidates will possess a CALMHSA state certification and prior Certified Peer Support Specialist work experience.

Schedule: 9/80, Monday-Friday, Every other Friday or Monday off.

Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is a leading provider of mental health and substance use services in Riverside County. With a dedicated team of professionals, including psychiatrists, clinicians, peer specialists, and paraprofessionals, RUHS-BH serves over 45,000 individuals annually.

We are committed to delivering culturally competent, evidence-based care across all ages. Our programs, including Mental Health Services, Substance Use Services, and the Public Guardian’s Office, address the diverse needs of our community.

At RUHS Behavioral Health, you’ll join a compassionate, innovative team where your skills make a real difference. We offer opportunities for growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact.

If you’re passionate about advancing your career while improving mental health in Riverside County, RUHS Behavioral Health is the place for you!

For more information, please visit www.ruhealth.org/behavioral-health

• Provide meaningful self-disclosure regarding lived experience supporting a family member with behavioral health or substance use challenges, in accordance with State Peer Support Certification requirements.
• Conduct community outreach throughout Riverside County to engage underserved, lower-income, or hard-to-reach families and improve access to behavioral-health services.
• Reduce linguistic and cultural barriers by providing support, education, and resources to families who may have difficulty understanding or navigating mental-health diagnoses and services.
• Deliver psychoeducation presentations to families and community groups (averaging 25–60 participants per month) to increase understanding of mental illness, recovery, and available supports.
• Provide individualized, person-centered guidance to families of adults with serious mental illness, helping them navigate behavioral-health systems, resources, and treatment processes.
• Promote equitable access to services by building trust, fostering engagement, and advocating for families’ needs within the behavioral-health system.
• Collaborate with clinical teams, Outreach & Engagement staff, and community partners to support family involvement in treatment and recovery planning.
• Represent and communicate the family perspective within the behavioral-health system to support…