Peer Support Specialist Instructor  

Fueled by driven, passionate people, our client, Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is seeking a Peer Support Specialist Instructor based in Sacramento. The mission of MHAC is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, spirituality, religion, age or socioeconomic status who require mental health services and supports are able to live full and productive lives, receive, the mental health services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services.  

This role is responsible for ensuring that students receive regular classroom instruction to prepare them to take the Statewide Peer Support Specialist Certification and to enhance their employability skills; as part of CAPS (California Association of Peer Supporters) ACADEMY, the statewide collaboration with MHAC and Project Return Peer Support Network (PRPSN); and potentially travel to conferences and events to promote our agency and training program.      

What You Get To Do:  

• Reports to Director of Workforce and Education. 
• Required to work 3 days in the Sacramento California office during the week to ensure hybrid (onsite and/or virtual) classroom instruction. Cohorts of classes occur at a variety of times that include a combination of normal business hours, evenings, and occasional Saturdays.  
• Execute evidence-based training focused on mental health, peer-oriented skill building practices, public health interventions, and California’s Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program for the greater mental health community. 
• Promote the training program and agency in community meetings.  
• Provide hands on support and guidance to students through one-to-one meetings and student support groups through scheduled office hours and as needed when a situation arrives with a student.  
• Provide constructive feedback to students to maximize their ability to succeed.  
• Track student attendance and assignments. 
• Complete Train the Trainer (TTT) program in order to successfully instruct all 17 California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) core competencies based upon CAPS ACADEMY’s curriculum.  
• Maintain Instructor Portal and Student Syllabus by updating and uploading presentations and assignments. 
• Assist with the facilitation of cohort Orientation and Graduation events. 
• Welcome, engage, build, and maintain rapport with trainees, employers, CAPS ACADEMY employees, and community members. 

What We Expect From You: 

Encouraged:   

• Formerly incarcerated individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. 
• Individuals from historically marginalized groups are encouraged to apply. 
• Worked in the mental health field, other social services, and possessing relatable life experience and transferrable work skills.  

Preferred: 

• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred, preferably in education, social service, or similar field or four years of experience that corresponds with the responsibilities of the job position.  
• Proficient in learning management systems or related platforms for digital training use. 
• Possess professionalism, a non-bias attitude, sensitivity, and discretion when interacting with individuals, co-workers, students, family members and community partners.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, Zoom, MS Access and PowerPoint.  

Mandatory:  

• You are a Peer (someone who has/had experience with mental health challenges). 
• High School diploma or GED.  
• Possess a current Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification OR 

• If not, CAPS Academy would train the employee to achieve Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification.  
• Must meet qualifications to become Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certified: https://caps.academy/trainings-peer-supporters-academy.html 

• Possess strong organizational skills, excellent communication skills, and a passion for teaching. 
• Willingness to infrequently travel throughout California Must be able and willing to travel to our partners across the State of California (our organization will cover the cost of travel for the purpose of work outside of our Sacramento office). 

• Possess current Class C driver’s license (car not required). 
• Ability to relate and collaborate with a variety of personalities, cultures and communities.  
• Commitment to MHAC and CAPS mission. 

What You Can Expect From Us: 

• Professional, empathetic, and mission-minded team. 
• A competitive salary starting at $66,560 a year.  
• Exceptional benefits include 100% employer paid medical (and up to 3 dependents), dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture, life insurance, employee assistance program, 403(b) retirement plan. 
• Yearly Paid Time Off: 16 paid holidays, 10 days accrued vacation, and 10 days accrued sick leave. 
• 37.5 hours work week. 
• Dedication to your professional growth. 
• The chance to work with a great team of people, make a difference, and most importantly, the room to be yourself. 

Required Documents for Submitting Application: 

• Resume 
• Cover letter that answers the following questions:  

1. How do you directly relate to the role as a Peer Support Specialist? 

2. How have you provided hands-on mental health or behavioral health support and/or guidance to anyone in your life, community members? 

• Email your resume and cover letter to HR@mhac.org and write “Peer Support Specialist Instructor” in the Subject Line.