Peer Support Specialist (Crisis Walk-in) (Part-Time & Per Diem + Up to $45/hr)

Description

Highlights

Total Potential: Up to $45.00/hour via differentials

• Base Pay: $35 - $40/hour
• Overnight Shift Differential: +$3.00/hour
• Bilingual Differential: +$2.00/hour (Spanish/English)
• Job Type: Part-Time at 12 paid hours per week at a minimum
• Schedule: 
  • Part-time: Sunday fixed
  • Per Diem: As needed on any shift
• Hours: (includes mandatory rest and meal periods) 
  • Day: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Night: 7:00 PM - 7:30 AM

Ultimate Flexibility:

• Part-Time (PT): a guaranteed, fixed Sunday shift, perfect for those with heavy weekday obligations, while also receiving opportunities to pick up extra coverage.
• Per Diem (PRN): arranged for maximum flexibility as needed across the week to supplement your income, gain essential experience, or complete clinical hours.

OUR MISSION

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a novel national public health organization comprised of a multidisciplinary team of population and public health experts with backgrounds in infectious disease, public health, emergency medicine, primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health work (CHW), nursing and advanced practice pharmacy. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing healthcare disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH) that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the following:

• People experiencing homelessness
• Indigenous communities
• Immigrant communities
• Rural communities
• BIPoC communities
• LGBTQIA+ communities
• Justice-impacted communities

Indio Crisis Walk-in Center

WEA’s Crisis Walk-In (CWI) Center, located on the behavioral health campus of Riverside University Health System in Indio, CA, offers 24/7 walk-in, voluntary crisis services for adults and children ages 5 and older. Designed to provide immediate, accessible care, the center serves up to 20 patients at a time, including both youth and adults.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Part-Time Sunday Peer Support Specialist provides essential stabilization and peer-led support during our Sunday shifts. We are currently seeking Peer Experts for two specific windows:

• Day Shift: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM
• Night Shift: 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM (Eligible for additional Night Differential)

Per Diem Peer Support Specialists may choose to be available to cover any shift during the week as the need arises. 

In this role, you aren't just a staff member; you are a Peer-Expert who uses your own lived experience with mental health or substance use recovery to build immediate, non-clinical rapport with neighbors. Whether you are working the day or night block, your primary tool is your authentic story. You are here to replace fear with hope and to ensure that no one walks their recovery path alone.

Key Responsibilities

1. High-Impact Crisis De-escalation

• The First Voice: Serve as the primary point of contact for adults entering in distress, using lived experience to model calm and hope while lowering the "temperature" of the room.
• Active Engagement: Utilize non-clinical, peer-based de-escalation techniques (such as the "Intentional Peer Support" model) to build immediate rapport.

2. Collaborative Safety Planning

• Peer-Led Planning: Facilitate the creation of individualized Safety Plans that focus on the participant's strengths, triggers, and preferred coping strategies.
• Wellness Tools: Introduce participants to wellness tools (like WRAP) that they can take home as tangible resources for self-management.

3. Expert Community Navigation

• Warm Handoffs: Personally assist participants in navigating social services, housing resources, and outpatient programs.
• Bridge to Recovery: Act as the liaison between the CWIC and community-based peer organizations.

Requirements

Qualifications & Requirements

1. The Core Requirement: Lived Experience

• The Peer Foundation: You must have personal, lived experience with mental health challenges and/or substance use recovery.
• The Goal: You are comfortable and skilled at using your own recovery journey as a professional tool to inspire hope.

2. Certification & Education

• California PSS Certification: Must possess (or obtain within 6 months of hire) a valid Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification issued by CalMHSA.
• Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent or higher is required.

3. Essential Skills

• Crisis Competency: Ability to remain grounded and empathetic in a fast-paced environment.
• Cultural Humility: A deep commitment to serving a diverse population in the Coachella Valley.

4. Preferred Skills

• Certified Parent, Caregiver, and Family Member (CPCF) Specialization highly preferred.
• Youth/Transition-Age Youth (TAY) Peer Specialization highly preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish): Fluency in Spanish qualifies for a stackable pay differential.

5. Compliance & Background

• Clearance: Must be able to pass a standard background check and drug screening.
• Transportation: Must have reliable transportation to the Indio site for shift starts.

Culture

1. Flexibility & Growth

• Fixed Sunday Block or True Per Diem Flexibility: Perfect for those with other weekday commitments or those looking to stay active in the peer community.
• Additional Earning Potential: While Sunday is your primary day, you will have the option to pick up extra shifts to cover vacations or center needs, allowing you to maximize your earnings at the higher per-diem rate.
• Premium Pay: Hourly rate includes a 15% premium in lieu of a standard benefits package.
• Peer-Led Culture: Our clinical team views your lived experience as a vital stabilization tool.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Because we serve a diverse community in the Coachella Valley, we actively encourage applications from people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with unique recovery backgrounds.