Certified Parent Peer Specialist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Wisconsin Community Services
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Job Description
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Certified Parent Peer Specialist Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) Pay: $18.00 - $24.00 per hour Job description: Join the WCS Team At WCS, our people make the difference. We’re looking for individuals who share our commitment to Respect, Justice, Integrity, and the Pursuit of Excellence—people who value others, do what’s right, strive to grow, and bring their best to the work every day. If these values reflect who you are, we’d love to have you join us. What We’re Looking For We’re looking for a compassionate and dependable Parent Peer Specialist who brings both professional skills and meaningful lived experience to support parents and caregivers of youth enrolled in Wraparound Milwaukee. You’ll use your personal experience parenting a youth with mental health, substance use, co-occurring, juvenile justice, child welfare, or significant life needs to provide hope, encouragement, and practical support to families. You’ll help parents recognize their strengths, build confidence, navigate systems, reduce crises, and actively participate as partners in their child’s care. What You’ll Do As a Parent Peer Specialist, you’ll walk alongside parents and caregivers as they navigate the Wraparound process and systems serving their children. Your responsibilities will include:
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Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED/HSED required.
- Graduate of state-approved Parent Peer Specialist training.
- Current Certified Parent Peer Specialist certification, or ability to obtain certification within one year of employment.
- Lived experience parenting a youth with mental health, substance use, co-occurring, juvenile justice, and/or significant life needs.
- Ability to complete required Wraparound training.
- Ability to meet agency and contractor requirements for criminal and caregiver background checks, driving record, and references.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with children, young adults, parents, caregivers, and families.
- Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately during crisis situations.
- Computer skills and accurate documentation abilities.
- Ability to meet deadlines and follow oral and written instructions.
- Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to work respectfully and effectively with people of different cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, abilities, and other diverse identities.
- Valid driver’s license, reliable automobile, and sufficient insurance to meet agency requirements preferred.
We’re especially interested in someone who demonstrates a strengths-based, person-centered, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented approach and who is committed to using lived experience to support youth and families.
What to Expect
This is a community-based, relationship-focused position. You’ll spend time both in the office and throughout Milwaukee County, including visits with families in their homes and other community settings.
You can expect:
- Approximately 40 hours per week with a flexible schedule. Part-time hours are available.
- Some evening and weekend hours based on family and program needs.
- Significant community outreach and frequent driving throughout Milwaukee County.
- A combination of office work, community-based support, home visits, appointments, meetings, and family activities.
- Opportunities to work alongside Care Coordinators, clinicians, program staff, community organizations, schools, courts, child welfare professionals, and other partners.
- Regular weekly supervision and ongoing professional development.
- A collaborative environment focused on family strengths, recovery, partnership, and meaningful outcomes for youth and families.
- A role where your lived experience can be a valuable tool for helping other parents feel understood, supported, and empowered.
Physical Requirements
This position is mobile and requires time in the community, including home visits and office-based work. The role requires driving throughout Milwaukee County and the ability to navigate stairs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Our Expectations
In this role, you’ll be expected to:
- Follow the agency Code of Conduct and all applicable policies, procedures, and funding requirements.
- Maintain professional, respectful, and ethical relationships with families, coworkers, community partners, and other stakeholders.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, disability, and individual life experiences.
- Promote recovery and hope in every interaction.
- Use a strengths-based and person-centered approach.
- Respect family voice, choice, and participation.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
- Demonstrate reliability, accountability, and professionalism.
- Contribute positively to the mission and values of the agency.
If you are a parent with meaningful lived experience who wants to use what you’ve learned to help other families navigate challenging systems, build on their strengths, and create positive change, this role offers an opportunity to make that experience matter.
Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability, status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.