Peer Support Specialist; Mental Health Worker II

PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST (Mental Health Worker II)

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the needs of the County are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

The recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Mental Health Worker II positions. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County.

County of Orange Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Specialized Medical Services and Public Health Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division consists of the following service areas:
Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Health, Children and Youth Services, Quality Management Services, Mental Health Services Act Office, Data Analytics and Evaluation, Crisis and Acute Care Services, Substance Use Services, and Forensics and Justice Involved. These services provide a culturally competent and client-centered system of behavioral health services for all eligible county residents in need of treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse and mental health care.

Adult and Older Adult (AOA) provides outpatient, recovery oriented, behavioral health services which emphasize individual needs, strengths, choices, and involvement in service planning and implementation. Adults and older adults who have a serious and persistent mental disorder and may have a co‑occurring substance use disorder and impairment in their ability to function in the community or who have a history of recurring substantial functional impairment, hospitalization or symptoms can access services.

Children and Youth Services (CYS) provides outpatient behavioral health services to Medi‑Cal eligible or uninsured children and youth who need medically necessary treatment to ameliorate their mental and behavioral health conditions. CYS provides case management, assessment, individual, group and family therapy, psychological testing, psychiatric evaluation and medication support, and therapeutic behavioral services to children and youth in Orange County.

The immediate vacancies are within the CYS program.

The Peer Support Specialist assigned to a CYS program will serve as a Parent Partner or Youth Partner. This position will work with children, youth and their families providing peer support services which may include individual and group skill building, referral and linkage to resources, transportation support, and other related duties. They will also work with other disciplines such as Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists and Behavioral Health Clinicians and as an adjunct to treatment to assist children and youth reach their treatment goals and objectives.

• 50% or more of time spent providing field‑based rehabilitation services with clients and/or caregivers, including case management and transitions of care across higher or lower levels of care.
• 25% or more of time spent providing clinic‑based rehabilitation services with clients and/or caregivers, facilitating groups, and supporting transitions of care.
• 5–10% of time spent completing documentation of services.
• 5–10% of time spent attending staff and treatment team meetings and coordinating with the multidisciplinary team.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Working with clients and parents/caregivers on life skills (e.g., coping skills, self‑care, budgeting, nutrition, hygiene,…