Certified Peer Support Specialist - Housing Support Services

Wisconsin Community Services, Inc.; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Wisconsin Community Services seeks a Certified Peer Support Specialist to provide recovery-oriented engagement within the Supported Housing program in Milwaukee. You will coach clients, connect them to resources, and help them build independent living skills under the care coordinator's supervision.

Responsibilities include conducting wellness checks, facilitating group sessions, and documenting progress in the Homeless Management Information System.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with mental health/substance use and recovery principles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High school diploma or GED and peer specialist training/certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide recovery-oriented peer support and engagement to program participants.
• Collaborate with care coordinator to help participants develop skills and independence.
• Lead recovery-focused groups on mental health, crisis prevention, and social/functional literacy.

Skills

Lived experience

Peer support

Motivational interviewing

Trauma-informed care

Strong communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Wisconsin Peer Specialist Training

Certified Peer Specialist

Tools

Clarity HMIS

Job description

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

Certified Peer Support Specialist - Housing Support Services

Job Code: 2026-SPECIALI-052 Location: Milwaukee Department: Housing Support Services FT/PT Status: Full Time

Job Responsibilities:

Position Summary:

This position provides supportive, recovery-oriented interaction and engagement to people enrolled in the Supported Housing Program. The Peer Support Specialist is responsible for serving people in collaboration with the care coordinator to ensure people enrolled in the program are able to attain the skills, knowledge, and abilities to move forward in their journey of recovery. The role of the Peer Support Specialist is that of a coach or mentor who through his or her lived recovery experiences, can provide the guidance and role modeling necessary to promote wellness, purpose in life, develop relationships, and the insight necessary to move forward.

Essential Functions

• From a recovery perspective, provide a strength-based assessment of an individual's abilities, strengths, assets, and needs.
• Provide ongoing peer support services and connect individuals to community-based resources.
• Support people enrolled in the program complete a Personal Recovery Crisis Prevention Plan and Individualized Served Plan in the person’s own words and review and update those documents every 6 months.
• Support individuals develop independent living skills including cleaning, problem solving, meal planning and preparation, laundry, budgeting, shopping, and paying bills.
• Complete monthly Home Wellness Assessment.
• Monitor the ADL (Activities of Daily Living).This includes adequate nutrition and personal hygiene.
• Assist the resident with completing ADLs as needed.
• Provide observation of individual's capacity and functioning and report any changes to the care coordinator.
• Develop and lead recovery focused groups under the supervision of the Care Coordinator.Group topics include mental health education, medication management, personal recovery and crisis prevention planning, community involvement, hard reduction, socialization, and functional literacy.
• Responsible for accurate documentation in Clarity the Homeless Management Information System and maintaining case files as required by agency policy, government regulations, and applicable local, state, and federal codes.
• Work with individual's collateral and community contacts to promote continuity of care.
• Participate in visits with the individual as necessary to engage him or her in the recovery process.
• Assist people in their process of stabilization and recovery.
• Act as a role model for the people being served.
• 1:1 interaction with individuals and wellness checks as needed. .
• Utilize Motivational interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, Strengths-Based Recovery and Harm Reduction as primary skills/tools to enhance resident’s participation and success.
• Active listening and positive communication skills.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings.
• Communicate (timely and accurately) all incidents to Care Coordinator.

Other Duties And Responsibilities

• Other job-related duties as may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

Program-Specific Duties

• Provide supportive, recovery-oriented engagement to individuals enrolled in the Supported Housing Program.
• Work collaboratively with the Care Coordinator to help participants develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to advance in their recovery journey.
• Offer ongoing peer support and 1:1 interaction, including wellness checks and assistance with stabilization and recovery.
• Provide strength-based assessments of individuals' abilities, needs, and recovery goals.
• Act as a positive role model, using Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, strength-based recovery, and harm reduction techniques to enhance engagement and success.
• Assist individuals in completing and updating Personal Recovery Crisis Prevention Plans and Individualized Service Plans every six months.
• Participate in home visits and help individuals develop independent living skills such as cleaning, problem-solving, meal planning, laundry, budgeting, shopping, and paying bills.
• Monitor and assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), including nutrition and hygiene.
• Complete monthly Homes Wellness Assessments and observe functions, reporting changes to the Care Coordinator.
• Develop and lead recovery-focused groups on topics such as mental health, medication management, harm reduction, crisis planning, socialization, and functional literacy.
• Communicate all incidents promptly and accurately to the Care Coordinator.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse setting with unhoused individuals experiencing mental health, substance use and/or co-occurring needs.
• Adhere to agency Code of Conduct, Core Values, and all relevant policies and procedures and funding source requirements.

Job Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Ability to work in a diverse setting interacting with homeless individuals with substance abuse, mental health, and co-occurring needs. Must have good communication skills, be flexible, patient and compassionate and maintain confidential information. Must have the ability to work independently with a minimal amount of supervision but must be a strong team player as well. Ability to multi-task, take initiative and apply knowledge to variety of circumstances.

Minimal Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Graduate of State of Wisconsin Peer Specialist Training
• Certified in Wisconsin as a Certified Peer Specialist or become certified within one year of hire.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Lived experience with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring needs and knowledge of recovery principles.
• Valid driver's license, automobile, and sufficient insurance to meet agency requirements.
• Meet all WCS and contractor requirements for criminal and caregiver background, driver’s record, and reference checks.

Other Job Information (if Applicable)

Work Relationship and Scope:

Reports directly to the Director of Adult Behavioral Health Services. Interacts and maintains good working relationship with WCS staff, individuals served by the program, and the general public.

Personal Attributes

Follow agency Code of Conduct and Core Values; 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, residents and all external persons and agencies involved with service provision; positive attitude and interpersonal skills; dependable; sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic and disability needs; demonstrate commitment to agency values and mission.

Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily at the supported housing site serving people with mental health, substance use and life needs. Work schedule to meet the needs of the people being served.

Physical Demands

Ability to be mobile. Work activities involve movement within the community. It requires an ability to go up and down stairs and lift/carry 20 pounds.

Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.