Hanna Boys Center·Sonoma, California
The Peer Specialist leverages lived experience with psychosis to provide advocacy and support for participants in the Hanna Ahead Program. They facilitate socialization groups, maintain a caseload of participants, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to help individuals achieve self-directed goals.
Job Title: Peer Specialist
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
Department: MHH
Reports to: Program Manager
O.5 FTE
06.01.26
The Peer Specialist will serve as a peer to the participants primarily receiving Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) services in the Hanna Ahead Program and may also support additional programs, initiatives, and grant funded/RFP services as needed.
The Peer Specialist will use their lived experience as someone who has experienced psychosis to advocate for and represent our participants' perspectives while working as part of a CSC Team and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across programs.
The Peer Specialist will provide individual and group-based peer support services to participants, their support of persons, educators, and community members.
The Peer Specialist will be thoroughly trained in peer supportive services.
This role requires flexibility to adapt to evolving program needs and funding opportunities.
This position is community/office based.
Essential functions
Provides a peer perspective based on lived experience to the provider team, participants, and their caregivers/support persons.
Attends and actively participates in all required team, management, and consultation meetings on a regular basis (including weekly and monthly meetings).
Attends and participates in all assigned training for professional, program, and agency development. May also participate in training related to new programs.
Assists with community outreach and education efforts.
Maintains caseload of around 40 participants and meets expectations of 66% direct service hours monthly.
Meets with participants on a monthly, biweekly, or weekly basis depending on participant needs.
Supports participants in attaining self-directed goals, connecting to community resources, developing a sense of belonging, and building self-advocacy skills in interactions with providers.
Facilitate socialization groups and supports participant engagement including transportation to appointments as needed
Rotates in Co-leading weekly Multi-family Groups in the evenings 5:30-7:30pm on a bi-weekly basis.
Advocates for participant perspectives during case discussions, team meetings, IEPs, and other settings where the participant may not be present.
Collaborates and coordinates on a weekly basis with other team staff including but not limited to psychotropic medication provider, mental health therapist, employment and educational specialist, and family peer support specialist.
Creates and maintains a resource materials (i.e. resource binder) for distribution to the team and participants.
Comply with all federal regulations, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), for the privacy and security of client information.
Maintains timely and accurate clinical documentation (including progress notes within 72 hours) in compliance with insurance, MediCal/MediCare, and quality assurance standards.
Supports implementation of new services, pilot programs, or grant-funded initiatives as assigned, ensuring alignment with peer support principles.
Additional duties as needed.
Core competencies
Leverage lived experience with psychosis to provide empathetic, person-centered support and advocacy.
Engages in consistent, effective communication with a multidisciplinary team in support of participant goals and evolving program needs.
Assists participants in accessing local resources, building connections, and engaging with the community across a variety of service settings.
Maintains accurate, timely documentation and adheres to healthcare regulations, payer requirements, and quality standards
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Ability to receive, incorporate, and act on feedback.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently meet deadlines
Ability to complete assignments independently and submit high-quality work products with minimal revisions required.
Adapts to varied work settings and hours while supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds and demonstrates flexibility in response to new programs and initiatives.
Typical office and clinical environment. Responsibilities may include offsite meetings, trainings, or other activities as required by business needs, including participation in community-based program settings.
Physical demands
Sit for extended periods of time and the ability to manage repetitive hand/wrist movements while using a computer keyboard and/or the phone. Bend, squat, stoop, and walk- up a flight of stairs.
Lift and/or carry up to 20 lbs., occasionally. Duties are primarily performed in an office environment at a desk or computer terminal.
Must clear background check for a Community Care Licensed facility, including physical, TB, and drug test.
Hanna is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be subject to change at any time. Other duties may be assigned as needed to support organizational goals.
Market context
In California, Peer Specialist roles are often tied to behavioral health, recovery, and homeless services programs, where employers look for candidates who can combine lived experience with practical field skills. These positions can be competitive because the required mix of a high school diploma, personal recovery experience, a valid California driver’s license, clean DMV record, and six months of homeless-services experience narrows the candidate pool. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your experience aligns with the outreach and documentation duties before applying.
