Certified Peer Specialist - CORE in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Wisconsin Community Services

At WCS , we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive , regardless of their past. We stand at the intersection of justice, compassion, and opportunity , walking alongside individuals who face barriers like mental health challenges, substance use, criminal justice involvement, and systemic inequities .

We're not just offering jobswere building life-changing relationships that empower individuals to reclaim their futures.

Why WCS?

• Youll be part of a mission-driven team changing lives across Milwaukee and beyond.
• Youll receive training, mentorship, and growth opportunities to help you thrive in your role and your career.
• Youll witness the power of transformation and know that you helped make it happen.
• Youll work in a culture that values a culture of belonging, collaboration, and compassion .

Position Summary: Provides peer support to youth and young adults who are being served by the CORE program and experiencing their first episode of psychosis. The Peer Specialist is a crucial position on the CORE team and is responsible for providing support, education and mentoring to youth/young adults enrolled in the program. The role of the Certified Peer Specialist is that of a coach or mentor who through his or her lived recovery experience, can provide guidance and role modeling to promote wellness, purpose in life, develop relationships, and the insight necessary to move forward in life and recovery.

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.

Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) is seeking a compassionate and dependable Certified Peer Specialist to join the CORE program team in Milwaukee. This role is dedicated to supporting youth and young adults experiencing their first episode of psychosis. As a mentor, coach, and positive role model, you will leverage your personal lived experience with mental health, substance use, or other life challenges to build authentic, trusting relationships that empower participants to reclaim their futures and achieve wellness goals.

In this community-based position, you will provide individualized peer support, guidance, and education to participants and their families in their homes and surrounding areas. Your daily work will involve helping individuals navigate complex systems of care, advocate for their needs, develop crucial life and crisis management skills, and connect with valuable community resources. Additionally, you will collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary care team, participate in ongoing training and supervision, and maintain accurate documentation to support participant recovery and independence.