SERVICE COORDINATOR I – PEER SPECIALIST

REPORTS TO: Program Manager

HOURS: Full-Time

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

Requisition #1822

SUMMARY:

Step Up’s Full-Service Partnership Intensive Case Management (FSP-ICM)

program provide intensive mental health services to adults and Transition Age Youth (TAY)

and young adult populations through community, field, and clinic-based settings. Members

are generally homeless or at risk of homelessness at enrollment or discharging from a hospital

or jail mental health setting prior to enrollment. Step Up’s FSP-ICM program is a Department

of Mental Health (DMH) contractor with BHSA funded services. Step Up embraces evidenced

based practices of Mental Health Recovery, Housing First, Trauma Informed Care, and

Motivational Interviewing. The team is an interdisciplinary structure and positions are a

combination of on-site and field-based. The team provides services to all members on the

census with a “whatever it takes and is appropriate” approach including adequate outreach and

engagement services prior to enrollment to ensure services will be successful.

The Peer Service Coordinator I (PSCI) is a member of Step Up’s FSP-ICM interdisciplinary team,

a field-based program for homeless and non-homeless TAY/Adults, ages 18 and older,

experiencing severe mental health challenges. The PSCI serves as a stable, positive role model

to help the client achieve stability and success with their individually stated goals using personal

experiences and trained knowledge.

DUTIES:

The following reflects essential functions for this job but does not restrict other tasks,

which may be assigned:

Leadership, Administration, Oversight

• Develop rapport with new and current clients and collaborate with treatment team to

determine appropriate case management and mental health service needs.

• Attend all staff and community meetings as requested by Program Manager.

• Engage in all scheduled supervision with management to consult aboutmembers and

discuss any pertinent issues related to consumer care and/or documentation.

Direct Service and Support

• Interact with members in the milieu on-to-one or in groups to provide peer support and

minor case management services (e.g. providing referrals to community resources).

• Assist with rehabilitation services, including meals, showers, laundry, and linkage to

necessary resources.

• Assure clients have access to local resources, including psychiatric and medical

care/appointments, housing, benefits establishment, community rehabilitation and

socialization activities, providing transportation and accompanying the client using

personal or public transportation when necessary.

• Within Scope of Practice and knowledge base, engage clients to achieve their goals and

objectives and report to the team and clinically qualified staff regarding changes in

clients’ level of functioning, support networks, adequacy of living arrangements,

financial status, physical health, level of self-care.

• Use personal experience and successes to promote wellness and hope in the recovery

process.

• Provides DMH rehabilitation and case management interventions to improve level of

functioning, reduce defined distress or stressors, and create positive community

linkages and relationships.

Documentation and Data Collection

• Complete all program-required paperwork such as DMH/Medi-Cal and maintain

documentation according to those program standards of practice in Electronic Health

Record – Welligent within prescribed timeframes as outlined in Step Up documentation

policy.

• Meet required billing quota as presented by Program Manager.

• Other duties as assigned or desired with guidance support and approval of the clinical

staff and management.

SKILLS:

Able to engage and work effectively with the young adult population. Knowledge of or
experience with benefits and services, mental health diagnoses and level of functioning, EBP’s
such as Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, Housing First, Harm Reduction, etc.
Knowledge of community resources and the ability to engage others in care. Ability to work
independently and collaboratively with others on a team. Initiative and solution focused
practice. Uses good time management skills and resources to balance drop-in responsibilities,
direct service, and paperwork. Works within skills and scope of practice asking for support and
training to improve abilities when needed. Ability to work as a team member in milieu and with
other community providers. Understands and promotes safety first to self and team members.
QUALIFICATIONS: Peer Specialist Certification and at least 1-year experience working with
mentally ill adults in a community setting or other relevant experience. Ability to work as a
team with community agencies, on the streets, and within the agency. California driver’s license
and insurance is required.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the
streets, in shelters, or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges
and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors,
individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health
symptoms, or poverty. Additionally, in working with our members, employees may encounter
instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical
expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical
contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated
successfully. All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate
crisis situations that may arise, and Step Up has established procedural safeguards for all
employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.
(Please Note: This position is part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU721)
Bargaining Unit.)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly
required to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and
hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The
employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required
by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability
to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required.
Step Up utilizes the principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery. These
principles inform our Core Values of Hope, Wellness, Voice and Choice, Respect, and
Collaborative Relationships. As representatives of Step Up, employees agree to adhere to these
values in their interactions with members, colleagues, supervisors, and associated community
members.

STEP UP CORE VALUES

HOPE – We believe all people have the capacity for positive growth and change. We use hope

to inspire and motivate ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

WELLNESS – We believe in promoting a culture that supports healthy and fulfilling lives. We use

a supportive environment to foster well-being for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and

our community.

VOICE AND CHOICE – We believe in the right to choose and be heard. We use voice and choice

to create meaningful outcomes and empowerment for ourselves, our members, our colleagues,

and our community.

RESPECT – We believe in promoting interactions that are non-judgmental, transparent. We use

respect to guide all of our words and actions with ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and

our community.

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS – We believe in forming partnerships to share resources,

knowledge, and experiences. We use collaborative relationships to strengthen

accomplishments for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

Step Up is committed to providing quality services that adhere to the highest ethical standards

and principles. All Step Up employees agree to adhere to the ethical policies and codes of

conduct, as outlined in the Employee Handbook and those specified for this grant.

Step Up provides equal employment opportunities without regard to age, ancestry, color,

creed, mental or physical disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race,

religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by

federal, state, or local laws.

STEP UP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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