Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS, Spanish Speaking)
Company: Union of Pan Asian Communities
Role summary
Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS, Spanish Speaking) is a role at Union of Pan Asian Communities in San Diego, California, United States (hybrid). Posted 2026-08-11. Experience level: 0-2. No degree required.
- Job title
- Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS, Spanish Speaking)
- Company
- Union of Pan Asian Communities
- Location
- San Diego, California, United States
- Work arrangement
- hybrid
- Category
- Customer Service
- Experience level
- 0-2
- Degree required
- No
- Date posted
- 2026-08-11
Job description
Description
Position Title: Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS), Spanish speaker
Program : Alternatives to Incarceration (Harm Reduction Team)
Classification : Non-exempt, Full time
Salary : $20-$24 per hour, based on experience
Hours : Sunday through Thursday 9-5:30pm, or Thursday through Monday 9-5:30pm
Summary and Range of Authority : Under the direction of the Vice President, the CPSS is responsible for providing support, advocacy, instilling hope and related services to the target population.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
· Inspire clients towards recovery and resiliency by being a compassionate and effective role model utilizing motivational interviewing, coaching, trauma informed model and housing first language within a short-term modality.
· Uses own peer recovery story for messages of hope for clients.
· Help connect clients to community services such as healthcare, transportation supports, mental health services, substance use treatment, vocational training and housing support.
· Document all the services rendered in compliance with County and other applicable requirements and standards.
· Provide documentation compliant to agency, state and county requirements in timely manner. Provides case management for linkage to resources, services and supports.
· May need to transport clients to other services and activities.
· Functions as a member of an interdisciplinary team in its effort to carry out the program mission through effective and timely communication.
· Working in partnership with County of San Diego Harm Reduction Team and other service providers.
· Provide culturally competent services. Work well with persons experiencing homelessness, immigrants, refugees, criminal justice involved, and other culturally diverse clients.
· Complete special projects in a timely manner, and able to maintain strict confidentiality, with regard to, sensitive or proprietary information or materials.
· Assist in clerical and administrative duties as assigned.
· Provide all other related services required by master contract SOW.
· Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Required Education, Certifications/Licenses and Language/Cultural Skills:
· Active and current Peer Support Specialist Certification.
· Fluent Spanish speaker
Minimum Experience and Qualifications Required:
· Ability to establish and maintain supportive relationships with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
· Familiarity with harm reduction, trauma informed care, housing-first and COACH principles.
· Abide by UPAC Code of Conduct and professional code of conduct.
· Must be able to drive (when needed) for business purposes to other program locations in San Diego County. If employee drives his/her personal automobile for UPAC business, employee must have valid California driver’s license and comprehensive automobile insurance coverage, as required by law.
Additional Preferred Education or Qualifications:
· Have understanding and experience with participants experiencing homelessness, criminal justice interactions, substance use and mental health symptoms
Benefits:
Health & Wellness
Employer paid vision, dental, life, AD&D, long-term disability, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Low-cost Aetna HMO plan ($50 monthly employee premium)
Pet Insurance, voluntary life, critical illness, and accident insurance
Paid Time Off
Up to160 hours of PTO accrued per year during the first 5 years of employment
80 hours of sick leave available per fiscal year
13 paid holidays (including two days for New Year’s and Christmas)
1 floating holiday per fiscal year
Bereavement Leave: 5 days off (3 paid)
Workplace Flexibility
Hybrid work schedule (available for select programs/positions)
Financial Benefits
403 (b) retirement plan
Free access to a financial advisor
Bilingual pay differential (available for select programs)
Eligibility for student loan reimbursement (varies by program/position)
Professional Development
Clinical supervision for registered associates, counselors, and peer support staff
Partnerships with numerous universities/schools for internship placements