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Peer Counseling Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Peer and Family Advocate - Per Diem

Yucca Valley, CA

$18 - $23.25/hr

Although not professional counselors, Peer and Family Advocates are treatment team members and trained in basic counseling skills. Peer and Family Advocates help consumers explore options given their ...

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Peer and Family Advocate - Per Diem

Yucca Valley, CA

$18 - $23.25/hr

Although not professional counselors, Peer and Family Advocates are treatment team members and trained in basic counseling skills. Peer and Family Advocates help consumers explore options given their ...

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Peer and Family Advocate

Victorville, CA · On-site

$19 - $24.50/hr

Although not professional counselors, Peer and Family Advocates are treatment team members and trained in basic counseling skills. Peer and Family Advocates help consumers explore options given their ...

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Peer and Family Advocate

Victorville, CA

$19 - $24.50/hr

Although not professional counselors, Peer and Family Advocates are treatment team members and trained in basic counseling skills. Peer and Family Advocates help consumers explore options given their ...

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Peer Mentor - FT

Orange, CA

$19.25 - $24.75/hr

Although not professional counselors, Peer Mentors are treatment team members and trained in basic counseling skills and are people who understand living with a disability, having "been there ...

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Peer Mentor - FT

Orange, CA

$19.25 - $24.75/hr

Although not professional counselors, Peer Mentors are treatment team members and trained in basic counseling skills and are people who understand living with a disability, having "been there ...

MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS INC

ICM Peer Specialist

Santee, CA · On-site

$25 - $27/hr

Provide group and individual counseling, case management, advocacy, and outreach to clients, and ... Provide peer counseling and support drawing on own consumer experience to build trust and ...

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How much do peer counseling jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for peer counseling in California is $20.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $22.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is peer counseling?

Peer counseling is a form of support where individuals help others who are facing similar life challenges, such as mental health issues, academic stress, or personal problems. Peer counselors are usually trained students or community members who offer guidance, listen empathetically, and provide resources, but they are not licensed therapists. The goal is to create a safe and non-judgmental space for sharing experiences and promoting well-being. Peer counseling can complement professional counseling by offering relatable support and fostering a sense of community.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a peer counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Peer Counselor, you need strong interpersonal skills, active listening abilities, and lived experience with the issues clients face, often supported by peer support training or certification. Familiarity with documentation tools, mental health first aid, and crisis intervention systems is typically required. Empathy, confidentiality, and nonjudgmental communication are crucial soft skills for building trust and rapport. These skills and qualities are vital to effectively support and empower peers while maintaining professional boundaries and promoting well-being.

How do peer counselors typically balance supporting others with managing their own emotional well-being?

Peer counselors often encounter emotionally charged situations, so maintaining personal well-being is crucial. Most organizations provide regular supervision, access to mental health resources, and peer support groups to help counselors process their experiences. It's common for peer counselors to set boundaries around their availability and practice self-care strategies, such as debriefing with colleagues or supervisors after challenging sessions. This supportive structure not only protects the counselor's mental health but also ensures they can provide the best care to those they support.

What is the difference between Peer Counseling vs Mental Health Counselor?

AspectPeer CounselingMental Health Counselor
Required CredentialsTraining programs, certifications, peer support experienceMaster's degree in counseling or psychology, state licensure
Work EnvironmentCommunity centers, schools, support groupsClinics, hospitals, private practices
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, educational institutions, peer-led programsHealthcare facilities, mental health agencies
Common Search & ComparisonPeer CounselingMental Health Counselor

Peer Counseling involves providing support based on shared experiences, often with specialized training but without formal licensure. Mental Health Counselors hold advanced degrees and licensure, offering clinical therapy. Both roles aim to support mental well-being but differ in credentials, settings, and scope of practice.

Is peer counseling a good career path for me?

Peer counseling is a career that involves providing support and guidance to individuals facing personal challenges, often requiring strong communication skills and empathy. It typically requires relevant training or certification and can be found in settings like schools, community organizations, or healthcare facilities. Success in this field depends on interpersonal skills and a genuine interest in helping others.

What does a peer counselor do?

A peer counselor provides emotional support, guidance, and active listening to individuals facing personal, social, or mental health challenges. They often share similar experiences to build trust and may facilitate group discussions or refer clients to professional resources. Strong communication skills and confidentiality are essential in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Peer Counseling jobs in California?

The most popular types of Peer Counseling jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Peer Counseling jobs in California?

For Peer Counseling jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Peer Counseling jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Peer Counseling jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Peer Counseling jobs?

Cities in California with the most Peer Counseling job openings:

Peer Counseling jobs near you
Infographic showing various Peer Counseling job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $41,897 per year, or $20.1 per hour.

Certified Peer Counselor - THRIVE OP

Bay Area Community Services

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$19.75 - $25.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

The Peer Counselor, CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist for our THRIVE Outpatient Team is responsible for the provision of field-based direct services and provides engaging peer support in a self-help format to individuals and their families working towards their recovery. The Peer Counselor uses their personal experiences to coach individuals and families through their wellness and recovery goals and plans. This work will entail all aspects of field-based service including needs for assessment, carrying out the plan of care, individual peer counseling and rehabilitation support, crisis support and referrals/linkages to more long term supports that promote an individual's wellness. The Peer Counselor will work independently and as part of a team and will manage their own schedule for the outreach, engagement, participant appointments, and extensive local travel that are pertinent to a participant's plan of care. The position will adhere to all regulatory productivity/direct service expectations. The Peer Counselor must have lived, personal experience as a consumer of mental health services and history of justice involvement
Our THRIVE OP program operates traditional business hours and provide outpatient mental health services to eligible community members as part of Specialty Mental Health Services. THRIVE OP is a forensic specific program which means all community members are in need of mental health services and have justice involvement.
LOCATION: 501 S. St, Sacramentio
SCHEDULE: Program Operates traditional business hours ( Monday-Friday)
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Duties are to be delivered in the field)
  • Ensures program offerings are welcoming, engaging, and barrier free from a peer perspective.
  • Provides mentoring (responsibility modeling) and shared experience counseling to participants and families where they are in the community.
  • Participates in ongoing peer support visits with current participants on a regular determined basis according to program standards to support their continued engagement in service.
  • Provides individualized peer support, peer counseling, skill-building, and intervention based on the plan of care and individual needs of the participant as well as coordinated needs of the program.
  • Provides crisis support to individuals based on emergent needs of the participant as well as coordinated needs of the program.
  • Provides individualized linkages to other services based on the plan of care and individual needs of the participants as well as the coordinated needs of the program.
  • Provides orientation to self-help resources to program members based on recovery and wellness principles.
  • Maintains a defined caseload of participants as indication by the program design and team model. Works with all participants in the program flexibly when needed and based on program design.
  • Maintain a complex calendar of appointments with participants, dedicated time for engagement, appointments with other providers and natural supports, etc.
  • Documents all services in to progress notes and billable services according to contract and regulatory guidelines.
  • Meets defined productivity guidelines set by the program.
  • Works in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team by providing team coordination and collaboration.
COMPETENCIES
  • Draws on lived experience to maintain a professional, strength-based, whatever it takes approach to working with an individual/family member.
  • Creates safety and promotes health and wellness in a milieu setting.
  • Welcomes everyone in to services using their own guided experience.
  • Works well with others and behaves professionally and ethically while developing professionally.
  • Works independently and as a member of a team.
  • Adaptable and open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. Adjusts rapidly to new situations warranting attention and resolution.
  • Balances interests of a variety of clients; readily readjusts priorities to respond to pressing and changing client demands, anticipates and meets the need of clients; achieves quality end-products; is committed to continuous improvement of services.
  • Understands public and private community-based resources and makes referrals as needed.
  • Expresses facts and ideas verbally and in writing in a clear, concise and organized manner.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Applications of Word, Outlook and systems-based documentation platforms. Documents services effectively and efficiently.
  • Able to work in diverse communities.
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Peer certification required. CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist or equivalent.
  • Peer support experience required.
  • Lived experience as a consumer of mental health services and personal justiceinvolvement.
  • High school diploma required.
  • Use of a computer or electronic platform to document work is required.
  • Bilingual in threshold language as stated in BACS policy preferred.
  • Experience navigating the social services system personally highly preferred.
  • Experience working in various community settings and navigating unique characteristics of communities.
BENEFITS/PERKS
  • Highly competitive compensation. $25/hr starting pay rate then $26 per hour after 90 days and successful completion of all job duties and requirements
  • Fully paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage for employees and children.
  • 31 days off (PTO/Holiday), increasing with tenure.
  • +3% per hour differential for tested ability in Sacramento county designated threshold languages ( Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian)
  • 403b plan.
  • Significant internal growth opportunities.

BACS OVERVIEW
Bay Area Community Services is a CARF accredited non-profit, community-based agency celebrating 70 years of serving Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento and Solano Counties by providing mental health and social services. BACS' mission is to uplift under-served individuals and their families by doing whatever it takes. We are proud to be one of the leading agencies producing real outcomes to tough social problems. BACS owes its reputation as an innovator to our innovative and entrepreneurial staff. We are seeking individuals who want to transform clinical practice to be client-centered and effective in the field and who want to lead empowered teams to meet goals.
How to apply:
Submit a resume with a cover letter highlighting your relevant experience.
BAY AREA COMMUNITY SERVICES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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