Certified Peer Specialist - CCS

Graceworks Lutheran Services; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Certified Peer Specialist to provide essential support to individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. This dynamic role involves mentoring and guiding clients through their recovery journey, utilizing personal experiences to foster wellness and self-direction. The position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community by advocating for clients' needs and facilitating their recovery goals. Join a dedicated team committed to enhancing the lives of individuals in recovery while maintaining a flexible and supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of Peer Specialist Training and State Certification required.
• Experience with mental health and substance use recovery populations is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and mentoring to individuals experiencing mental health and substance use needs.
• Develop recovery plans and document progress with clients.

Skills

Peer Support

Mental Health Knowledge

Substance Use Knowledge

Organizational Skills

Assessment Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Flexibility

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

State-approved Peer Specialist Training

Job description

To apply for this position, scroll down to the bottom of this page and click the button that reads: "APPLY NOW"

Returning Applicant? Login Now

Start Over with Job Search

Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/Disability/Vet).

Job Code: 2023-BHS-013

Location: Milwaukee

Department: CCS (Comprehensive Community Services)

FT/PT Status: Full Time

Job Responsibilities:

Position Summary: The Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Certified Peer Specialist provides support to adults who are experiencing mental health, substance use, or co-occurring needs. The Peer Specialist is responsible for support, education, and mentoring adults enrolled in CCS services. The role of the Certified Peer Support Specialist is that of a coach or mentor who, through his or her 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 in recovery.

Essential Functions:

1. Act as a member of the CCS team providing services to people experiencing mental health, substance use, and co-occurring needs.
2. Utilize life and recovery experiences to role model and support people in reaching their identified recovery goals.
3. Build off the person’s strengths to meet their individualized recovery needs. All services will be person-centered and directed by the individual being served.
4. Provide a wide range of Peer Support Services to assist the individual and their family through the recovery process.
5. Promote wellness, self-direction, and recovery by enhancing the skills and abilities of individuals to reach their recovery goals, advocating for their needs with dignity and through a trauma-informed approach.
6. Develop a mutually empowering relationship with the people being served.
7. Provide services in the community, including people’s homes and other community locations.
8. Participate as a team member in recovery team meetings to create individual recovery plans, identify and prioritize goals, and monitor progress toward meeting identified needs.
9. Document all contact with the people being served and team members to adhere to program requirements.
10. Maintain accurate documentation and case files as required by agency policy, government regulations, and applicable local, state, and federal codes.
11. Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-service training, seminars, and conferences as required.
12. Maintain flexibility in daily work schedule to adequately meet program needs.
13. Adhere to agency policies and procedures while carrying out daily responsibilities.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Ensure people are able to get transportation to all CCS-related appointments.
2. Other job-related duties as necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

Job Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Successful completion of a State-approved Peer Specialist Training and State Certification as a Peer Specialist. Knowledge and skills to work with a mental health and substance use recovery population; organizational skills; experience working with individuals in recovery who have mental health and/or substance use needs; ability to quickly develop rapport with people; excellent assessment and interviewing skills; understanding of mental health needs; strong understanding of the substance use population; ability to work through difficult situations; flexibility and ability to multitask throughout the workday; effective use of time and resources to help maintain quality CCS services.

Minimal Qualifications:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent required and experience serving people with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring needs.
2. Successful completion of a State-approved Peer Specialist Training and current State Certification as a Peer Specialist.
3. Meet all WCS and contractor requirements for criminal and caregiver background checks, driver’s record, and drug screen.
4. Valid driver’s license, automobile, and sufficient insurance to meet agency requirements are required.

Work Relationship and Scope: Reports directly to the CCS Peer Specialist Supervisor in the Behavioral Health Services Division. Advocates for the individual’s needs with CCS Team members, landlords, employers, community medical staff, family members, etc. as needed.

Personal Attributes: Actively in recovery from mental health, substance use, and co-occurring needs; willing to share personal recovery story and life needs. Follow agency Code of Conduct and Leadership Code of Conduct; adhere to established policies and procedures of the agency and all funding sources; conduct self in an ethical manner; maintain professional and positive relationships with program staff, other WCS staff, consumers, 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: Work is performed primarily in the community, including people’s homes and various community-based locations. Ability to work in an office setting. Hours average 40 hours per week.

Physical Demands: Position is mobile with significant time spent in the community, including transporting consumers, home visits, and attending meetings; driving throughout Milwaukee County; must be able to go up and down stairs.