Peer Support Specialist I/II

Peer Support Specialist I/II

Salary

$45,438.88 - $61,009.81 Annually

Location

Visalia, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-007630A

Department

Health and Human Services Agency

Opening Date

06/20/2026

Closing Date

6/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Health and Human Services Agency. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancy is with the Health and Human Services Agency located Visalia. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

Salary Range:

Level I: $6,786 - $4,614 Monthly

Level II: $4,171 - $5,084 Monthly

• This position is eligible for a 4% Cost of Living Increase effective 06/28/2026

Typical Duties

Level I:

• Attend trainings and apply learned techniques to serve the clients within assigned treatment programs.
• Operates a variety of office equipment.
• Manage a caseload by accurately documenting all supportive client services that have been provided.
• Provide casework consultation to staff members who participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Develops client rapport by supporting, advocating, and representing the peer and family/caregiver perspective

within the behavioral health system.

For a full list of duties for this position, please click here.

Level II:

• Operates a variety of office equipment.
• Communicate, represent, and promote the peer and family/caregiver perspective within the behavioral health system.
• Attend Behavioral Health or Substance Use Disorder activities in the community to engage with those who might benefit from behavioral health services or distribute promotional information.
• Openly share their own lived experience on their wellness and recovery journey from their Behavioral Health and/or substance use recovery experience, services and outcome with others to promote wellness and recovery of consumers and in the community at large.
• Teach others about stigma related to Behavioral Health/Substance Use Disorder challenges and treatment.

For a full list of duties for this position, please click here.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth(12th) grade.

Experience:

Level I:

• Be self-identified as having six months of experience with the process of recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent, caregiver, or family member of a consumer.

Level II:

• Six (6) months of experience or volunteer work equivalent to that gained as a Peer Support Specialist with Tulare County.

Knowledge of:

• The process of recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent, caregiver, or family member of a consumer.
• Good organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and communication skills.
• Programs and treatment techniques for the support and care of persons with mental illness or substance use, especially those who may be experiencing a life crisis or be unhoused .
• Concepts of mental illness and Behavioral Health or substance use and recovery: the physical, emotional, and social needs of persons with mental illness.
• Community resources and techniques for building rapport with peers.

Skill/Ability to:

• Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co- workers.
• Operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment.
• Complete multiple priority projects with strict deadlines.
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive case records.
• Effectively manage client caseload.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain a valid California drivers license.

Level II:

• Possess a valid Peer Support Specialist certification issued by the California Mental Health Services Authority.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Experience:

• Volunteer work experience with a Public Behavioral Healthsystem.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected may be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bargaining Unit 4

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:

2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)

3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)

4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)

5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)

Limit of 300 hours.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 60 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Career Incentive Pay

Employees who have completed five (5) or more Years of Service with Tulare County and meet the eligibility criteria described in Administrative Regulation - 52, earn additional pay according to the schedule below.

Years of Service

% Increase

Total

5

3%

3%

10

2%

5%

15

3%

8%

20

2%

10%

Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Disability Insurance: Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare Countys benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

01

The supplemental application form is an EXAMINATION. The supplemental application form will be used to select the most highly qualified candidates who will then advance to the next step in the selection process. All candidates are required to complete the questions at the end of the application. The supplemental application questions will be used to select the most highly qualified candidates who will then advance to the next step in the selection process. The questions that follow will be used to evaluate the extent to which a candidate has demonstrated and applied the knowledge, skills and abilities critical to successful performance for this position. You must respond to all required questions to be considered for this position. Have you ever been a Consumer or Family Member of a Consumer with the Tulare County Mental Health system?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have knowledge of and experience with or completion of a Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)?

• Yes
• No

03

Please describe what recovery means to you and how you would promote recovery when working with consumers within a public mental health system.

04

Please give an example of a time when you experienced conflict with a peer. Include in your response how you handled the conflict and the steps you took to resolve the conflict.

05

Describe a time when you worked through a crisis situation, either for yourself or assisting another person?

06

Describe a recent project in which you were involved and what your responsibility was.

Required Question

Employer County of Tulare

Address 2500 W Burrel Avenue

Visalia, California, 93291

Phone (559) 636-4900

Website http://www.tularecounty.ca.gov