Peer Support Specialist - Residential Treatment Center - Friday - Tuesday 2:45pm - 11:15pm in Santa Cruz, California at Janus of Santa Cruz

At Janus Perinatal Center, we are dedicated to supporting pregnant and parenting individuals and their families on their journey toward health, wellness, and recovery. As part of Janus, a trusted community provider since 1976, our Perinatal Center offers compassionate, evidence-based services that promote healthy pregnancies, positive birth outcomes, family stability, and long-term recovery.

We believe every individual deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and understanding. Our team fosters an inclusive and supportive environment where clients are empowered to achieve their goals while building healthy futures for themselves and their children. If you are passionate about helping families thrive and want to make a meaningful impact in your community, we invite you to join our dedicated team.

The schedule for this position is Friday - Tuesday 2:45pm - 11:15pm. Please note this location will be moving to Watsonville at the end of the year.

You must have a valid California Driver License, and been in possession of this license in good standing for the past three years.

As a Peer Support Specialist, you will play a vital role in supporting pregnant and parenting clients as they navigate recovery, wellness, and family-centered care. Drawing on your lived experience, you will provide encouragement, mentorship, advocacy, and practical support to help clients engage in treatment, access community resources, and progress toward self-defined recovery goals.

You will work collaboratively with clients and multidisciplinary care teams to foster hope, resilience, empowerment, and lasting change. This role requires a strong commitment to person-centered care, cultural humility, confidentiality, and trauma-informed practices.

• Empower clients to access, engage in, and maintain substance use disorder treatment and recovery services.
• Provide regular one-on-one peer support, encouragement, and recovery coaching.
• Assist clients in developing individualized recovery, wellness, and family-support plans.
• Connect clients with community resources, including healthcare, prenatal care, parenting support, housing, nutrition assistance, childcare resources, and support groups.
• Help coordinate medical appointments, behavioral health services, and other recovery-related services.
• Promote healthy lifestyle choices, wellness practices, and self-care strategies.
• Support clients in identifying strengths, overcoming barriers, and developing coping skills.
• Monitor client progress toward recovery and wellness goals.
• Collaborate with clinical and case management staff to ensure coordinated care.
• Document services, referrals, and client interactions in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Assist with program data collection, outcome tracking, and reporting requirements.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Empower individuals to access or maintain SUD treatment, recognizing the validity of “multiple pathways to self-defined recovery.”
• Explore all resources to help someone achieve recovery, including healthy nutrition.
• Meet with clients regularly to offer one-on-one support and counseling.
• Develop recovery plans, coping methods, and rehabilitation strategies with the client.
• Arrange medical appointments, therapy sessions, support groups, and other resources to aid the client.
• Monitor the client’s behavior, schedule, medication, and activities.
• Report any unusual behavior, conflicts, or recovery deviations to relevant professionals and assist with data-tracking requirements related to peer support care.
• Coordinate the client’s logistics, such as medical appointments and therapy sessions.
• Conduct assessments and provide feedback to the client, medical professionals, and the family.
• Generate recovery reviews and performance documents to track the rehabilitation process and support program enrollees in care plan goal completion.
• Use eHR for data entry and care coordination/referral documentation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Government-issued photo identification.
• Self-identify as an individual with lived experience in recovery from substance use and/or behavioral health challenges.
• Demonstrated commitment to recovery and wellness.
• Willingness to appropriately share personal recovery experiences to support and inspire others.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Basic computer skills and ability to document services electronically.
• Commitment to following the California Department of Health Care Services Code of Ethics for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.

• Experience working with pregnant and parenting individuals and families.
• Knowledge of community resources and family support services.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.
• Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification or willingness to complete required training and certification.

At Janus of Santa Cruz, the well-being of our employees is paramount to our planning and policies.

• We provide unlimited counseling (telehealth and in-person) at zero cost to our employees.
• We also provide competitive retirement plans for full-time, part-time, and on call employes with generous matching after six months of consecutive employment.
• Amazing Benefits: Enjoy comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, 12 paid holidays, retirement benefits, no-cost mental health counseling services, and 12 paid sick days per year.
• Impactful Work: Be at the forefront of transforming lives and communities.
• Collaborative Environment: Work with a dedicated team of professionals committed to holistic care and rehabilitation.
• Professional Growth: Seize opportunities to attend, participate, and speak at local and state-level meetings, events, conferences, and training.
• Supportive Culture: Thrive in a workplace that values your contributions and supports your professional development.

Janus of Santa Cruz maintains and promotes a working environment free from discrimination and harassment; and provides all current and prospective employees with equal opportunity in employment regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, disability, medical condition, sex, gender identity, physical characteristics, marital status, age, sexual orientation, organizational affiliation, veteran status, or past justice related situations.