Position Summary: The Certified Peer Specialist is a person who has lived the experience of mental health, substance use or co-occurring needs, is in recovery, has had formal training in the peer specialist model of support, and has passed the State of Wisconsin certification exam or successfully becomes certified within one year of hire. Peer Specialists work 1:1 with people enrolled in the community-based Peer Specialist programs who are beginning the process of recovery. The Peer Specialists utilize their own unique lived experience to engage the people they are serving and role model recovery during each interaction.

The role of the Certified Peer Support Specialist is that of a coach or mentor who through their lived recovery experience, can provide the guidance and role modeling necessary to promote wellness, purpose in life, develop relationships, and the insight necessary to move forward. Peer Specialists support all individuals in the following goals: improve quality of life for individuals, promote individuals’ recovery, increase individuals’ ability to effectively deal with challenges and problem solve crises, increase individuals’ ability to manage stressors outside an inpatient hospital setting and assist individuals in navigating between system access points and levels of care.

Essential Functions:
1. Link individuals to a variety of self-determined supports and services, including traditional mental health services such as case management, psychiatry and individual therapy, mutual aid support groups, natural supports and discover other kinds of healing and/or purposeful activities that may contribute to the recovery process.
2. Have contact with individuals a minimum of four times per month; two of these contacts must be made in person.
3. Provide 1:1 peer support services to people in the community (including their home and other community-based locations).
4. From a recovery perspective, provide a strength-based review of an individual's abilities, strengths, and assets.
5. Encourage individuals to become the expert of their own lived experiences and develop voice and choice around service participation to be empowered in their recovery.
6. Assist the individual in exploring goals and priorities while participating in the peer support program and collaborate on the creation of a plan to receive support for the duration of program enrollment.
7. Support individuals in navigating systems of care and encourage the participant to communicate with other services providers to allow for maximum self-determination and dignity in care.
8. Complete Crisis Plans and document activities according to funding source.
9. Responsible for accurate documentation and maintaining case files as required by agency policy, government regulations, and applicable local, state, and federal codes. This includes documenting progress notes in the electronic record.
10. Work with the participants’ collateral and community contacts to promote continuity of care with written and explicit consent to support their recovery journey.
11. Participate in visits with the participant as necessary to engage them in the recovery process.
12. Assist participants in their process of stabilization and recovery.
13. Provide educational discussions with small groups of participants.
14. Facilitate psychosocial or other self-help, recovery-based groups to engage participant in recognizing and understanding early triggers or signs of usage, and assist in the development of prevention strategies.
15. Active listening and positive communication skills.
16. Attend and participate in staff meetings and weekly supervision.
17. Attend in-service training and conferences as required.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Other job related duties as may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
2. Other duties will be determined by the supervisor.


Minimal Qualifications: High school or GED/HSED required; graduate of state Certified Peer Specialist training; possess current Certified Peer Specialist certification (If such certification has not occurred by hire, state certification must occur within the first year of employment.); strong written and verbal communication skills. Personal experience with mental health and substance use needs and knowledge of recovery principles. Meet all WCS and contractor requirements for criminal and caregiver background, driver’s record, and reference checks. Valid driver’s license, automobile, and sufficient insurance to meet agency requirements is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Computer skills; accurate documentation; ability to meet deadlines; knowledge of substance use issues and mental health needs. Work Relationships and Scope: Has contact with a wide variety of individuals including case managers, therapists, probation agents, treatment teams, educational staff, families, and community resources.

Personal Attributes: Follow agency Code of Conduct; adhere to established policies and procedures of the agency and of all funding sources; conduct self in an ethical manner; maintain professional and respectful relationships with program staff, other WCS staff, individuals receiving services and all external persons and agencies involved with service provision; sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic and disability needs; demonstrate commitment to agency values and mission.
Working Conditions: Some of the work is done sitting at a desk and using the computer; 40 hours per week; flexible work schedule may include some evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the program.

Physical Demands: Position is mobile with time spent in the community, including home visits and other community-based locations; driving throughout Milwaukee County; must be able to go up and down stairs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions
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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