Peer Support Specialist

JOB THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE SHASTA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICETHIS POSITION HAS A SUNSET DATE OF MAY 15, 2028ORAL EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 2026SEE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS SECTION REGARDINGPOSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVERS LICENSERESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIREDFINAL FILING DATE: FEBRUARY 10, 2026, AT 5:00 PMSALARY INFORMATION$3,089-$3,943 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $17.82-$22.75 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*This position is in the UPEC General bargaining unit. Please refer to the applicable bargaining unit labor agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) for potential future salary increases: Shasta County Labor AgreementsABOUT SHASTA COUNTYShasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.ABOUT THE DEPARTMENTFor over 20 years the Shasta County Public Defender’s Office has provided representation to those who are unable to afford an attorney. Our mission is to provide compassionate, holistic defense to those in need, ensuring that every client receives comprehensive legal representation tailored to their unique experiences, goals, and needs. We are dedicated to providing zealous, ethical, effective advocacy while protecting the dignity, rights, and humanity of each person we represent.We serve diverse communities, including those most marginalized in our society, with unwavering commitment to justice. Each year, our office represents hundreds of indigent defendants charged with misdemeanor, felony, and juvenile offenses. We also handle an array of civil matters including guardianships, termination of parental rights, and conservatorship matters. Our role is to protect the constitutional rights of justice-involved individuals and to hold the government accountable, ensuring that fairness and due process are upheld in every case.We foster a supportive and empowering environment where our attorneys and staff are encouraged to grow both professionally and personally. By investing in our team’s well-being and development, we create a culture of excellence, advocacy, and integrity. We are committed to building a sustainable criminal defense practice that serves our clients and our community for generations to come.ABOUT THE POSITIONThe Peer Support Specialist assigned to the Public Defender’s Social Work Team plays a vital, client-centered role in supporting individuals involved in the criminal legal system who are experiencing mental health challenges, substance use disorders, housing instability, or other complex social needs. Working as part of a multidisciplinary defense team that includes attorneys, social workers, investigators, and support staff, the Peer Support Specialist uses lived experience and formal training to build trust, promote engagement, and support clients in navigating systems that are often difficult to access and understand.This position focuses on outreach, relationship-building, and practical support, helping clients engage in treatment, comply with court-ordered programs, and access community-based services. The Peer Support Specialist acts as a bridge between clients and formal service providers, reinforcing social-worker case plans while offering encouragement, advocacy, and hope grounded in personal experience. This role is essential to advancing the Public Defender’s Office’s holistic defense model and improving client outcomes while reducing unnecessary justice system involvement.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICSServes as a trusted, relatable point of contact for clients who may be distrustful of institutions or hesitant to engage in traditional services.Works collaboratively with social workers and attorneys to support court-related goals, such as treatment engagement, diversion programs, housing stabilization, and compliance with release conditions.Uses lived experience with mental health challenges, substance use recovery, justice system involvement, or related life experiences as a professional tool to support and engage clients.Operates within a legal defense setting, requiring a clear understanding of confidentiality, professional boundaries, and the unique ethical considerations of indigent defense; andProvides practical, hands-on support, including accompaniment to appointments, assistance with applications, and coordination with community-based providers.IDEAL CANDIDATEThe ideal candidate is someone who brings empathy, resilience, and professionalism to their work and is motivated by helping others navigate complex systems with dignity and support. They have lived experience that aligns with peer support principles and are able to thoughtfully and appropriately use that experience to inspire, encourage, and empower clients. The ideal candidate will also: Have experience providing peer support in mental health, substance use recovery, reentry, or related community-based settings.Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges faced by indigent clients involved in the criminal legal system, including poverty, trauma, and systemic barriers.Be comfortable working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment alongside attorneys and social workers.Exhibit strong interpersonal skills, professional boundaries, and the ability to engage clients who may be ambivalent, distrustful, or in crisis.Be organized, dependable, and able to document work clearly and accurately.Show a commitment to equity, client dignity, and holistic, non-punitive approaches to public safety and wellness; and Be open to ongoing training, supervision, and professional growth within a public defense setting EXAMPLE OF DUTIES Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Act as a resource and provide direct assistance and guidance to participants of the related programs; coordinate services for participants; supports and engages participants in productive activities which promote growth toward a successful outcome; provide support and advocacy to help participants stabilize and benefit from treatment and services; support participants in combating negative self-talk, overcoming fears, and solving problems; provide assistance and mentoring on a one-on-one basis with participants; act as a resource for participants/family members/caregivers regarding services, referral information, and guidance in understanding agency policies and procedures; support participants in articulating, setting, and accomplishing goals; participate as a team member in the collaboration of assessment and treatment of participants; facilitate connections for participants/family members/caregivers to other community resources or providers; follow agency protocol when delivering programmatic guidance, as well as making referrals to health care providers and relevant programs within the community when the participants’ issues are not within the Peer Support Specialist’s scope of work; participate in reciprocal education with other providers to support integration of peer support within provider teams; facilitate educational and support groups for participants/family members/caregivers; communicate with community based organizations on behalf of participants, family members, and other related parties as part of connecting and engaging them in services within the community; provide case management services; assist with related paperwork and tasks; provide support during legal hearings; provide transportation for appointments, interviews, court hearings, etc.; collect relevant data during assessments and interventions within the scope of work; maintain accurate and current documentation; and attend regularly scheduled meetings and trainings.Support the work of professional staff; assist with trainings in accordance with local and state policies; assist in quality control assurance activities, evaluation of documentation, inventory of equipment and supplies, and team meeting facilitation; facilitate the provision of programmatic services to participants and corresponding education as necessary; assist with the facilitation of participant classes and peer support groups; accompany licensed staff into the community to participate in support of participants, family members, and caregivers during crisis responses; provide evidence based resources for the safety of participants; collaborate with staff and community partners; promote positive relationships and open communication between participants, family members, caregivers and other staff; and may promote programmatic services through public speaking engagements in the community, as well as personal contacts with prospective participants, family members, and caregivers. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 5:00 p.m., on February 10, 2026.A resume and/or cover letter will be accepted in addition to the application but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as “Refer to resume and/or cover letter,” or “See attached resume and/or cover letter.” The application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will not be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered. Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof. Veterans' Credit: Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran must provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) with the employment application on or before the final filing date. Applicants are encouraged to apply online at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERShasta County Personnel1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515