Recovery‑Oriented Peer Support Specialist I​/II

County of San Mateo, CA

San Mateo County Health's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is seeking compassionate, recovery-oriented Peer Support Specialists to support adults navigating mental health and/or substance use recovery. This is an opportunity to use lived experience, peer mentorship, and recovery-focused support to help individuals build stability, independence, wellness, and connection within their communities.

• Older Adult System of Integrated Services (OASIS) – 1 Part Time, Regular
• SB43 Specialty Program – 1 Full Time, Regular
• South County Adult Outpatient Services – 1 Full Time, Regular

Travel throughout the County and surrounding Bay Area may be required depending on assignment.

• Provide peer‑based recovery support, encouragement, and mentorship using lived experience.
• Build supportive relationships with clients and promote hope, self‑advocacy, and wellness.
• Assist clients in accessing behavioral health, substance use, medical, housing, benefits, vocational, educational, and community resources.
• Support individuals in developing independent living, recovery, and wellness skills.
• Assist clients with navigating County systems, appointments, transportation, and telehealth services.
• Provide field‑based outreach and engagement services.
• Facilitate or co‑facilitate support groups and recovery‑focused activities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, hospitals, clinics, community providers, and other partners.
• Participate in case conferences, treatment planning, and team meetings.
• Assist with documentation, data tracking, and reporting activities.
• Support clients experiencing social isolation, housing instability, hospitalization, or other complex barriers to care.

• Possesses lived experience as a consumer of mental health services and can draw upon their recovery journey.
• Understands recovery‑oriented and trauma‑informed approaches to care.
• Builds trust and effectively engages individuals from diverse communities and backgrounds.
• Connects clients to behavioral health, housing, medical, and community resources.
• Works effectively both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Adapts to a variety of program settings, including clinic‑based, field‑based, and community‑based work.
• Demonstrates strong communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Has experience supporting individuals experiencing complex behavioral health and social service needs.
• Experience working with adults and older adults, co‑occurring disorders.
• Experience in field‑based outreach, housing instability, or multidisciplinary behavioral health setting is highly desirable depending on assignment.
• Bilingual skills are highly desirable for some assignments.

• Make a meaningful impact supporting individuals on their recovery journey.
• Build experience supporting diverse Adult System of Care programs and populations.
• Strengthen skills in advocacy, engagement, communication, case management, and peer counseling.
• Expand collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, hospitals, and community partners.
• Develop expertise navigating behavioral health, housing, and social service systems.
• Help individuals build greater stability, independence, wellness, and community connection.

• Peer Support Specialist I ($31.78 – $39.72 hourly): entry‑level class learning program operations and peer support practices, working under close supervision.
• Peer Support Specialist II ($35.09 – $43.85 hourly): experienced‑level class independently performing the full range of duties with greater judgment and discretion.

• Peer Support Specialist I:
  Proof of completion of peer‑support specialist training and, within eighteen (18) months from hire, obtain certification as a Medi‑Cal Peer Support Specialist.
• Peer Support Specialist II:
  Certification as a Medi‑Cal Peer Support Specialist issued by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CMHSA).
• Must meet experience requirements established by the funding source of assignment.
• Some positions may require possession of a valid California driver license or equivalent.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer.