Job Description

Job Summary

The Peer Support Specialist uses lived experience with mental health, substance use, co-occurring, and other life challenges to support, engage, and advocate for individuals and families in services. Through peer support training and certification, or completion within one year of hire, this role serves as a coach, mentor, and role model promoting hope, recovery, wellness, self-advocacy, and community involvement. Peer Support Specialists build on individual and family strengths, enhance skills, support problem- solving and crisis management, help navigate systems of care, and promote active partnership to improve quality of life and long-term outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide 1:1 peer support to individuals and families in homes and other community-based settings, using lived experience to build trust, engage participants, and role- model recovery.
2. Support participants and caregivers in navigating substance use, mental health, behavioral health, child welfare, and other systems of care so their needs are addressed and their voice is heard and respected.
3. Help individuals and/or their families to identify strengths, barriers, needs, goals, and priorities.
4. Partner with participants, families, and care teams to ensure continuity of care to develop strategies, plans of care, crisis plans, and recovery supports.
5. Provide coaching, education, and practical support to strengthen wellness, crisis management, problem solving, and self-advocacy skills.
6. Link participants and families to services, natural supports, and community resources to help build sustainable support networks.
7. Promote engagement in services and recovery activities by accompanying participants to appointments, meetings, and community-based activities as needed.
8. Complete required documentation, case records, and progress notes in a timely, accurate, and strengths-based manner in accordance with agency, funding, and regulatory requirements.
9. Attend and actively participate in supervision, staff meetings, trainings, and other required meetings.
10. Assist with coverage for co-workers as needed.

Program-Specific Duties

• Caseload has approximately 12 youth and/or young adults experiencing a first episode of psychosis.
• Collaborate closely with CORE team (including Care Coordinator, Employment/Education Specialist, Clinician/Supervisor, and Psychiatrist) to ensure the needs of the youth/young adults being served are met.
• Support youth/young adults to engage in mental health services by accompanying them to appointments and community activities.

• Actively participate in the development and implementation of the Plan of Care and Crisis Plan.
• Connect participant to resources in the community to meet identified needs.
• Complete all necessary paperwork in a strength-based manner per Milwaukee County Behavioral Health services/Agency requirements.

• Attend in-services and participate in staffing, weekly and monthly meetings and consultations.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or HSED required.
• Completion of Wisconsin peer support training or demonstrate the ability to obtain certification within one year of hire.
• Personal lived experience with mental health, substance use, co-occurring, or related life challenges.
• Experience working with children, youth, young adults, adult individuals, and families.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, cultural competence, and knowledge of recovery principles.
• Must meet all agency and contractor requirements for background, caregiver background, driving record, and reference checks.
• Completion of required agency and program trainings is expected.

• Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License, automobile insurance, and access to an automobile required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of mental health, substance use, co-occurring needs, recovery principles, and person-centered support.
• Ability to build respectful, supportive relationships with staff, individuals served, and their families.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and responsive in crisis situations.
• Strong listening, communication, and follow-through skills, including the ability to follow written and verbal directions.
• Proficiency in computer use, accurate documentation, and meeting deadlines.
• Competence in Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Teams.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultural, ethnic, and life backgrounds.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Higher education in a relevant field
• Bilingual abilities
• Experience working with Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position is mobile and includes work in the office, homes, and other community-based settings. Driving throughout Milwaukee County and the ability to use stairs are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed both in office as well as in the community; including in homes, court settings, and other locations within Milwaukee County. Some work is done sitting at desk, using a computer, and some requires presence in the community and in homes. Travel is required. Total work hours average 40 per week, but a flexible schedule is required to meet the needs of staff and those we serve.

Program-Specific Tools & Systems

• Avatar Data System; training provided as needed

Work Schedule / Location

• Monday-Friday; 8 hours, 1st Shift; may vary based on participant need

• WCS Office Location: 2610 W. North Ave.

Special Compliance Requirements

• Complete 20 - 40 hours of CCS training (DHS 36)

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.

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