Peer Support Counselor

Job Title: Peer Support Counselor
Department: Building Bridges, Homeless Resource Center
Location: Ukiah, CA
Status: One (1) Full-Time Overnight Shifts (40 hours per week) / Non-Exempt
Salary: $21.73 per hour / Additional Differentials Must Qualify
Open Date: October 21, 2026
Close Date: Open Until Filled

Pay Differentials Offered (must qualify through testing or verification):

• Language Translation - Bi-cultural Spanish: $1.00 per hour
• Bimodal Bilingualism - ASL Sign Language: $1.00 per hour
• Bimodal Multilingualism - ASL Sign Language: $2.00 per hour
• Overnight/Graveyard - Stay Awake Shifts: $1.00 per hour

Overview:

Building Bridges (B2) is a collaborative homeless resource center in Ukiah that provides shelter and housing-related services to individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis. Through partnerships with multiple community agencies, B2 offers a low-barrier approach to services, helping individuals access the support and resources they need.

This is a full-time, overnight position working as part of the B2 team. The Peer Support Counselor assists guests with accessing shelter, laundry and shower facilities, housing resources, and other available services. This position also involves engaging with guests to discuss their housing goals, providing support and encouragement, and helping maintain a safe, stable, supportive, and sanitary environment.

The ideal candidate is compassionate, empathetic, and accepting of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing homelessness, trauma, and other life challenges. The ability to remain patient, respectful, and supportive when working with individuals who may exhibit challenging behaviors is essential. Strong customer service skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse staff, guests, and community partners are key to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitors guest interactions and behaviors, intervening as needed to maintain a safe, stable, and supportive environment. Provides guidance and reminders to the guests to aid them with adhering to the policies of the facility.
• Regularly walk throughout the building and the perimeter of the facility to monitor for safety and security checks. Ensuring you engage with the guests as needed and intervene in disruptive incidents as they arise. Intervenes and de-escalates situations that would lead to dangerous behavior(s). Recommends or initiates other, non-physical, measures to redirect behavior.
• Communicates with on call supervisor, as needed and required, for assistance, direction, and to report incidents, according to policy.
• Provides services consistent with a person-centered, strength-based, low barrier, harm reduction, Housing First program foundation. Focuses on the underlying needs of the guests rather than the maladaptive behaviors they may be exhibiting to get those needs met.
• Learns about and maintains knowledge about substance use and the effects of various substances. Seeks out information and training on up-to-date best practices on harm reduction interventions. Learns the signs of an overdose and administers Narcan/Naloxone as appropriate for opioid overdoses.

Experience:

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working in a position related to homelessness, social services, hospitality, mental health, substance use, or similar areas
• Strongly desired – Candidates with lived/personal experience with homelessness

Other Qualifications:

• Candidates must be at least 21 years old
• Must have ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends (facility is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Strongly desired – Candidates that speak and/or are fluent in Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL).

Conditions of Employment:

• May work across all agency programs as needed.
• Occasional flexible work schedule required to meet individual client needs.
• Must possess a valid CA Driver’s License, current auto insurance, and a clean DMV printout (no more than 3 points).
• Must pass a clear background check with DOJ & FBI.
• CPR and First Aid Certified.
• TB Exam and Physical at the time of employment.

Training:

• Preferred – Training in harm reduction, Housing First, trauma-informed, low barrier service models.
• RCS provides an in-depth onboarding and training orientation, which includes CPR/First Aid, Crisis Communication/Pro-ACT, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Collaborative Problem Solving, introductions to all RCS departments, and other valuable trainings.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits package available.

To Apply:
Please visit our website at Redwood Community Services to apply or learn more about our values and services.

Redwood Community Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce.