DO NOT APPLY THROUGH BAMBOOHR. WE WILL NOT RECEIVE YOUR APPLICATION. YOU MUST APPLY THROUGH CAL VOICES' ONLINE JOB APPLICATION LINKED HERE.

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT HERE.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: CRISIS CARE MOBILE UNIT (CCMU) FAMILY ADVOCATE

POSITION TYPE: FULL-TIME, NON-EXEMPT | LOCATION: AUBURN, CA

ABOUT CAL VOICES

Cal Voices is a 501(c)(3) public benefit organization dedicated to improving the lives of residents in the diverse communities of California through advocacy, education, research, and culturally relevant peer support services. In all its programs, Cal Voices works with individuals and families with mental health challenges to promote wellness and recovery, prevention, and improved access to services and supports.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Cal Voices has an immediate opening for a full-time (37.5 hours per week) CCMU Family Advocate in Placer County’s Children’s System of Care. This position is employed by Cal Voices, but serves as a member of the CCMU Integrated Team with Children’s System of Care and Adult System of Care. Other team members include, Health and Human Services and other community provider partners. Under the supervision of Cal Voices’ CSOC Program Manager and Supervisor, this position partners with Placer County Children’s System of Care and Health and Human Services, and other local mental health and social services providers in providing crisis response to youth, adults and families. Upon arrival, CCMU Family Advocates, together with HHS Client Service Practitioners, respond to family, adult and child crises in the community emphasizing response to transitional age youth 25 and younger. Response locations shall include family homes, schools, and other environments as requested through the triaged Placer County crisis line. Teams may be accompanied by Law Enforcement when safety concerns are identified. CCMU Family Advocates work with youth, adults, and families to mitigate the crisis in order to prevent the need for a psychiatric hold or removal from the family environment. The Family Advocate shall primarily work with family members to offer support and education regarding youth, adult and family crises. Once the crisis has been stabilized, the team provides follow up support to ensure families are adequately linked to services and community resources to prevent future crises. The CCMU Family Advocate works from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm or 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (7.5 hours/day) five days a week; hours may change to accommodate program needs.

Cal Voices is a peer-run, grassroots mental health advocacy agency. Candidates must have personal lived experience as the parent/primary caregiver of a youth with a behavioral, emotional, or mental health challenge. Applicants must have functional knowledge of California’s Public Mental/Behavioral Health System (PBHS), the Children’s System of Care (including children’s mental health services, the child welfare/foster care system, and the juvenile probation system), Adult System of Care (including accessing mental health services for adults), self-help and resiliency principles, and fundamental principles of peer support and family advocacy. Qualified individuals who are the parent or caregiver of a youth who has received public mental health services in any California county, who are bilingual/bicultural, and members of traditionally underserved groups (LGBTQ, racial/ethnic minorities, immigrants/refugees, veterans, formerly homeless) are encouraged to apply. Spanish-speaking candidates are strongly desired. We will continue accepting applications until this position is filled.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants who do not possess all of these minimum qualifications will not be interviewed:

• Personal lived experience as the parent/primary caregiver of a youth with a behavioral, emotional, or mental health challenge
• Familiarity with the structure and functions of California’s PMHS and knowledge of the interconnected services provided through Placer County’s Children’s and Adult Systems of Care
• Experience working with individuals (particularly children and youth) experiencing a mental health crisis
• The ability to work from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm or 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, five days a week (37.5 hours/week)
• Willingness to undergo an extensive criminal background screening that includes CLETS clearance
• Possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent (Associates degree or higher is preferred)
• A current and valid Class “C” California Driver License
• Immediate access to reliable personal transportation throughout the workday
• Auto insurance coverage that meets the minimum legal requirements in California
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Intermediate-level computer literacy skills, including proficiency in word processing, internet-based research, email applications, and MS Office programs (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) or their equivalents
• Any combination of training, education, and experience necessary to perform the Job Duties for this position, and likely to provide the required Knowledge and Abilities as described herein

Please carefully read and follow the application instructions at the end of this job announcement. Individuals who do not follow these instructions will not be considered for this position.

JOB DUTIES

Core Responsibilities:

• Provides quick emergency response services to locations at which a youth or adult is experiencing a behavioral, emotional, or mental health crisis to help stabilize the situation and prevent removal of the individual from the family environment
• Works with Children’s System of Care, Adult System of Care, Health and Human Services, and other providers to support families through crisis situations
• Uses their personal lived experience to establish credibility, rapport, and trust with individuals and families
• Educates parents/caregivers about youth and adult crisis and provides information regarding available Placer County resources
• Identifies and links families with culturally relevant community resources and supports
• Helps parents, caregivers, individuals and family members implement individualized solutions using problem-solving and effective communication skills for positive interaction with public agencies and the community
• Assists families and individuals in identifying and articulating what they need from services and providers
• Serves as a bridge to ensure families, individuals and providers understand each other’s needs and perspectives
• Teaches parents, caregivers, and family members to effectively negotiate, resolve conflicts, and navigate within County systems and service provider agencies
• Participates in various meetings with families, County agencies, and service partners to represent the interests of families
• Advocates for families, youth and adults on the program and system levels to maximize parent/caregiver voice and choice in services
• Offers their own experience-based perspective in the development, implementation, and operation of services in the Adult and Children’s Systems of Care
• Provides consultation and training to program staff and external agencies regarding the parent/caregiver perspective
• Faithfully represents Cal Voices core values and principles in a variety of settings

Additional Responsibilities:

• Maintains confidentiality at all times in accordance with Federal, State, County, and agency standards
• Documents client contacts, maintains client files, monitors client progress in alignment with the County’s requirements

• Conducts client satisfaction surveys and other data collection activities
• Attends conferences, trainings, and professional development activities
• Follows all Cal Voices and County policies, procedures, and safety protocols
• Represents Cal Voices’ values of individual and community empowerment, advocacy, wellness, recovery, inclusiveness, and cultural humility at all times
• Performs all other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

The ideal candidate will demonstrate KNOWLEDGE of:

• The structure and functions of California’s PMHS and the interplay of various agencies within Placer County’s Children’s System of Care and Adult System of Care, including children’s and adult mental health services
• The complex public and private agency services in Placer County available for clients’ mental health needs, including community and recovery-based resources and culturally specific providers and programs in Placer County
• Methods and techniques of effective peer support, including use of strength-based language, recovery orientated communication and motivational interviewing techniques
• Current laws regarding adult and children’s mental health
• Cultural competency and the disparities faced by underserved communities in the PMHS
• Basic office record keeping; maintenance of physical and electronic files (including confidential information)
• Basic professional norms, business etiquette, and expectations for appropriate workplace behavior, performance, and communications
• The following computer functions/operations: email, word processing, spreadsheets/tables, presentations, data entry, internet-based research, downloading and saving files, document retrieval and organization, conversion of file types

Successful candidates will have the ABILITY to:

• Demonstrate equality in relationships with individuals and families and the capacity for self-awareness
• Use language that is non-judgmental and non-clinical
• Demonstrate culturally sensitive and appropriate interaction
• Model effective coping techniques, communication skills, and self-help principles for individuals and families
• Provide a consistent source of encouragement and hope to families

• Maintain confidentiality and appropriate interpersonal boundaries with families and colleagues
• Remain dependable, flexible, and adapt to daily changes and challenges that families experience
• Display professionalism in appearance, language, and conduct
• Communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of groups and individuals from different educational, economic, and cultural backgrounds
• Draft communications that are free of typos, grammatical errors, and misspellings
• Speak in public, facilitate meetings, and make group presentations
• Take personal responsibility for actions, decisions, and results
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and sound independent judgment
• Remain calm and focused in a hectic work environment
• Act in families and Cal Voices’ best interests while remaining responsive to the County’s needs
• (Desired) speak Spanish fluently

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires employees to:

• Consistently work 7.5 hours each workday and 37.5 hours each week between the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm or 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Frequently drive to/from various locations within Placer County
• Occasionally travel to trainings, conferences, and/or events held in distant locations
• Perform moderate typing and engage in daily computer use
• Remain stationary for most of the workday
• Maintain concentration, focus, and productivity despite frequent interruptions
• Write notes or otherwise record important information
• Communicate with others in person, by telephone, and in writing
• Speak to individuals, groups, and audiences in public
• Read, understand, and summarize information both verbally and in writing
• Make sound decisions and engage in independent thinking and ongoing problem-solving activities
• Apply effective self-care and coping techniques to manage vicarious trauma and unique work-related stressors

• Regulate emotional responses, especially when dealing with others’ challenging behaviors

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Employment at Cal Voices is strictly at-will and this position is dependent upon continued program funding. Compensation for this position is $24.62. This is a full-time (37.5 hours/week) position that is eligible for overtime pay. Full-time positions at Cal Voices receive employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits, along with 13 paid holidays and up to 150 hours (four weeks) of paid time off each year. Full-time employees may also enroll in Cal Voices’ 403(b) retirement plan.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!)

You must complete Cal Voices’ online application. Please note:

• This is a rolling application period. Due to the time it takes to process candidates’ extensive background checks, we will continue accepting applications until this position is filled.
• Only online applications are accepted. Cal Voices will not consider resumes or other application materials submitted by email, fax, or in-person. The link to Cal Voices online application is included below.
• Do your homework. We want to hire the right person, not a warm body. Learn about our agency, who we are, and what we do before you apply. Check out our website (www.calvoices.org) and read about our programs. Your application will tell us whether you really want to work at Cal Voices or just want a job.
• Be prepared. Keep a copy of this job announcement with you when you complete the online application, as several questions will ask you to respond to specific information listed in this announcement. You must upload an electronic copy of your resume in the online application. A separate cover letter is not The online application asks you to provide the names and contact information for three professional references, so make sure this information is up-to-date and ready to go.
• Take your time. The online application takes about 20-30 minutes. You can save your progress at any time and return later to complete your application before the deadline. When reviewing your application, we will consider how your responses reflect your qualities as a potential employee. Your ability to follow instructions and pay attention to detail, as well as your demonstrated thoughtfulness, thoroughness, accuracy, spelling, and grammar all matter. Slow down and make your responses count.
  

ONLINE APPLICATION LINK: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/3266206/Cal-Voices-Employment-Application

If you have any questions about this position or the online application, please contact:

CONTACT PERSON: Indira Infante, CSOC Program Manager

EMAIL/PHONE: iinfante@placer.ca.gov / (916) 223-2454

EMAIL SUBJECT LINE: CCMU Family Advocate Position