Peer Connector

A Peer Connector is someone who is living with mental illness, has established stability, and is committed to their own recovery. This Community Peer Program role provides non-clinical support, hope, and encouragement to program participants from their lived experience with mental illness. Connectors must be current residents of Santa Clara County.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The Peer Connector will perform the following duties including, but not limited to, the following:

• Draw upon their lived experience with mental illness to support a participant assigned to them.
• Be a role model in their commitment to their own wellness and recovery.
• For up to four (4) months the Peer connector will provide support to the Participant in the following ways:
• Initiate two (2) phone calls per week from a Peer, lasting 15 – 30 minutes
• Schedule and meet with the participant once a week for 1–3 hours within the local community (Santa Clara County).
• Meet their participant in an agreed upon location within Santa Clara County for their weekly in person meetings using either a personal or public transportation.
• Create a safe and non-judgmental space for their participant and facilitate their growth without fixing, advising, saving or setting them straight.
• Facilitate space for participants to set goals, practice self-care techniques, increase independence, and strengthen self-advocacy.
• Build rapport and explore lifestyle/habit changes with their participant to reach their wellness goals.
• Share resources, promote self-advocacy, and present options for growth according to the participant’s needs.
• At no time will the Peer Connector act as a counselor, case manager, or therapist.
• Attend the mandatory weekly trainings on Thursdays between 2-3pm. Additionally, complete required trainings and meetings as advised by supervisor.
• Maintain accurate records of phone calls and in-person meetings with the participant through timesheets provided by NAMI-SCC.
• Promptly respond to emails and phone messages from the Community Peer Program Coordinator, Programs Manager, and NAMI-SCC staff within 24-48 hours.
• Be in regular communication with their supervisor and report any issues or concerns related to assigned matches.

Qualifications:

Education:

Completion of at least one of the following requirements:

• Graduate from NAMI Peer-To-Peer Education Course, or
• Be a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist with an active status, or
• Graduate from a Peer Support Specialist Core Competency Training listed on California Mental Health Services Authority’s (CalMHSA) website within the last two (2) years

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Must have a lived experience of mental illness from which to draw upon as an example of living in wellness and recovery (Required)
• Agree to an employee background screening (Required)
• Ability to travel to independently using either a personal vehicle or public transportation (e.g., bus). (Required)
• Must have a strong knowledge base coming from NAMI’s Peer-to-Peer class, the WRAP process, and/or other related training experiences.
• Must be comfortable with using a computer for email notifications and filing activity reports.
• Be familiar with NAMI programs, basic knowledge of mental health conditions, treatments, and resources in Santa Clara County.

Proficient use of computers for:

• Microsoft Office 2010 (Outlook, Excel, Teams)
• E-mail
• Internet

Personal characteristics:

• Listening skills: Must have strong active listening skills with the ability to listen without judgment and provide empathetic support.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak and write in a respectful, clear way and reply to emails and messages in a timely manner.
• Maintain Confidentiality: Must have a demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality. Information related to participants should be discussed only your supervisor.
• Be inclusive: Ability to work respectfully with all people who may be from different races, ethnicities, identities, and religions. Connectors should never discriminate based on any of these areas.
• Ability to maintain and model professional boundaries in accordance with the program guidelines.
• Must have proven organizational skills and complete required paperwork in a timely manner.
• Be willing to take feedback and direction from a supervisor and work collaboratively with CPP team.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and punctuality.

Job Details:

• Up to 5 hours a Week
• Pay is $21 per hour

To Apply:

Download and complete the Peer Connector Application found at https://www.namisantaclara.org/community-peer-connector/

Send the completed form to the Community Peer Program Coordinator...

• By email: [email protected]

OR

• By mail to the following address:

Community Peer Program Coordinator

NAMI-Santa Clara County

1150 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 24

San Jose, CA 95128

Pay: $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 5.0 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: Hybrid remote in San Jose, CA 95128