Compensation: $19.00 - $20.00
Benefits include: Health,
Vision, Dental, PTO, Holidays, Mileage Reimbursement, Retirement Savings Plan
Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8 hours, 1st Shift; may vary based
on participant need
Make a Difference Through the Power of Lived Experience
We are looking for a compassionate, motivated, and
dependable Peer Support Specialist to join our team!
The Peer Support Specialist uses personal lived experience
with mental health, substance use, co-occurring conditions, and other life
challenges to connect with, empower, and advocate for individuals and families
receiving services.
In this role, you will serve as a coach, mentor, advocate,
and positive role model, helping individuals recognize their strengths, build
confidence, develop life skills, and work toward meaningful recovery and
wellness goals.
Through authentic relationships and person-centered support,
you will help individuals and families navigate systems of care, overcome
barriers, strengthen natural support networks, and build a path toward greater
independence and improved quality of life.
Your lived experience can make a lasting difference.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide
Individualized Peer Support: Deliver one-on-one peer support to
individuals and families in their homes and community settings, using
lived experience to establish trust, encourage engagement, and model hope
and recovery.
- Advocate
and Empower: Help individuals and caregivers navigate mental health,
substance use, behavioral health, child welfare, and other systems of care
while ensuring their voices, preferences, and needs are heard and
respected.
- Build
on Individual Strengths: Work alongside participants and families to
identify personal strengths, needs, barriers, priorities, and goals.
- Support
Recovery and Wellness Planning: Collaborate with individuals,
families, and care teams to develop strategies, plans of care, crisis
plans, and ongoing recovery supports.
- Promote
Skill Development: Provide coaching, education, encouragement, and
practical support to strengthen problem-solving, self-advocacy, wellness,
and crisis management skills.
- Connect
to Community Resources: Help individuals and families access community
services, natural supports, recovery resources, and other opportunities
that promote stability and independence.
- Encourage
Active Participation: Support engagement in services and recovery
activities by accompanying participants to appointments, meetings, and
community activities when needed.
- Maintain
Accurate Documentation: Complete progress notes, case records, and
other required documentation accurately and on time, following agency,
funding, and regulatory guidelines.
- Collaborate
as a Team: Participate in supervision, staff meetings, required
trainings, and team discussions to support quality services and positive
outcomes.
- Provide
Team Support: Assist with staff coverage and other related
responsibilities as needed.
Required Qualifications
- High
school diploma, GED, or HSED.
- Completion
of Wisconsin peer support training or the ability to obtain the required
peer support certification within one year of hire.
- Personal
lived experience with mental health, substance use, co-occurring
conditions, or related life challenges.
- Experience
working with children, youth, young adults, adults, and families.
- Strong
written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated
cultural awareness and understanding of recovery-oriented, person-centered
support.
- Ability
to meet agency and contractor requirements, including background checks,
caregiver background checks, driving record reviews, and reference checks.
- Willingness
to complete all required agency and program training.
- Valid
Wisconsin driver's license, current automobile insurance, and reliable
access to a personal vehicle.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Knowledge
of mental health, substance use, co-occurring needs, recovery principles,
and peer support practices.
- Ability
to establish respectful, trusting, and supportive relationships with
individuals, families, and team members.
- Ability
to remain calm, professional, and responsive when supporting individuals
experiencing difficult or crisis situations.
- Strong
active listening, communication, advocacy, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability
to follow written and verbal instructions and demonstrate consistent
follow-through.
- Strong
organizational skills and the ability to complete accurate documentation
within required deadlines.
- Basic
computer proficiency, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Teams.
- Ability
to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse cultural,
ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Ability
to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while using lived
experience in a supportive and empowering manner.
Preferred Qualifications
The following qualifications are a plus but are not
required:
- College
coursework, an associate degree, or higher education in a related field,
such as human services, social work, psychology, or behavioral health.
- Bilingual
or multilingual communication skills.
- Previous
experience working with Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services.
- Experience
providing peer support, community-based services, family support, or
behavioral health services.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
This is a mobile, community-based position that involves
working in an office, individuals' homes, and other community settings.
- Regular
travel throughout Milwaukee County is required.
- Ability
to drive to appointments and community-based locations.
- Ability
to navigate stairs and access a variety of residential and community
environments.
- Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential functions of the position.
Program-Specific Tools & Systems
- Avatar Data System; training provided as needed
- Complete 20 - 40 hours of CCS training (DHS 36)
Why Join Our Team?
Be part of a team that believes in the power of connection,
compassion, and lived experience.
As a Peer Support Specialist, you will have the opportunity
to:
- Make a
meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families.
- Use
your personal experiences to inspire hope and encourage recovery.
- Help
people build confidence, independence, and stronger community connections.
- Work
collaboratively with a team committed to person-centered, strengths-based
care.
- Support
individuals as they create positive, lasting changes in their lives.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you are passionate about recovery, advocacy, and
empowering others, we would love to hear from you!
Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. is an equal
opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without
attention to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
pm21
Compensation details: 19-20 Hourly Wage
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