Peer Wellness Mentor Level 1

Department: CORE Community Wellness Centers (Sacramento)

Reports To: Program Supervisor

FLSA Status: Full time, Non-Exempt

Work Location: Sacramento County Sites (Community Wellness Centers), and community-based locations as needed.

Schedule: 37.5 hours/week; schedule aligned with site hours (including some evenings/weekends as required by coverage plan)

Compensation: $25.50 - $28.00

Position Summary

The Peer Wellness Mentor delivers peer-led, recovery-oriented services within the CORE Community Wellness Centers operated in partnership with Turning Point Community Programs (TPCP). This role provides engagement, groups, navigation, and community linkage for adults and families to access CORE wellness support. Success in this position requires consistent documentation, strong boundaries, and a high-accountability approach to serving participants with dignity and respect.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide peer support, engagement, and wellness services including individual support and peer-led groups, workshops, and activities.
• Deliver CORE orientations to participants, including program structure and available services.
• Provide navigation and linkage to the Mental Health Plan (MHP), benefits, healthcare, housing, and other community supports.
• Use strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches and model recovery principles including hope, empowerment, self-determination, and connection.
• Maintain timely and accurate service documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and any required data systems, using objective language and completing entries by close of next business day.
• Meet service delivery and productivity expectations, including unit submission timelines and quality management requirements for billed services.
• Conduct engagement attempts for participants who have not attended for 90 days, with at least two outreach attempts per week as assigned, and support discharge workflows for participants inactive for 180 days per program rules.
• Participate in daily site huddles and required meetings; communicate operational issues to supervisor the same day.
• Support a safe, welcoming environment for participants and volunteers; follow site safety procedures and de-escalation practices.
• Perform mandated reporter and duty-to-warn responsibilities as required; immediately report safety concerns and incidents through required channels.
• Comply with HIPAA and confidentiality requirements, including appropriate handling of Protected Health Information (PHI).
• Follow SWS Employee Handbook policies and TPCP on-site policies while working at CORE locations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Peer Certification
• Lived experience related to behavioral health and recovery, or immediate family lived

experience, consistent with peer support values.

• Minimum 6 months experience in mental health, human services, outreach, or peer support

settings, paid or volunteer.

• Ability to complete peer certification or maintain peer certification; must be on track to

complete certification within 90 days of hire if not already certified.

• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Ability to use email, basic word processing, and data entry systems; ability to learn EHR and

related platforms.

• Ability to work in community settings and respond calmly in crisis situations.
• Valid California driver license and proof of auto insurance (required due to community

outreach and travel between sites).

• Successful completion of DOJ background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• WRAP facilitation (if certified as a facilitator), Motivational Interviewing, Nonviolent

Communication, or similar recovery-oriented training.

• Bilingual or bicultural skills relevant to the communities served.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in Community Wellness Centers, community locations, and occasional

office settings.

• Regular interaction with individuals experiencing mental health crises, substance use

challenges, and homelessness.

• May be exposed to stressful and unpredictable situations; require professional conduct and

de-escalation skills.

• Travel between sites may be required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods; ability to lift up-to 30 pounds.
• Ability to safely navigate stairs and community environments during outreach.