Community Health Worker (Peer Support/Recovery Coach)

Wood County, WI; Wisconsin Rapids (WI); On-site; USD 33,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)

457 deferred compensation plan

Vacation and Sick Time

10 Paid Holidays

Flexible Spending Account

Life Insurance

Short and Long-Term Disability

Wellness Incentive Plan

Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Wood County Health Department is seeking a Community Health Worker (Peer Support/Recovery Coach). Location: Health Dept WR. Full-time, 38.75 hrs/week, with a competitive hiring range and eligibility for Wisconsin Retirement System. Deadline to apply: 11/16/2026.

The CHW will develop community partnerships, lead outreach, and assist individuals in navigating community services, health screenings, and related supports. Strong communication and collaboration across agencies are essential.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Associate Degree in a health promotion related field preferred.
• One to two years community health and/or public health experience preferred.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required; independent transportation available.

Responsibilities

• Promote community action and garner support and resources from community organizations to implement new activities.
• Manage a caseload to provide evidence-based peer support and/or recovery coaching services.
• Serve as liaison between the Wood County Health Department and community agencies to facilitate communication and coordinate services with public education.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with clients, providers, nurse case managers, agency representatives, supervisors and office staff.
• Work with diverse populations to reduce cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and institutions.
• Assist clients and participants in accessing health related services and completing program applications.
• Document client interactions, service plans, and results accurately per policies.
• Support outreach, education, and engagement to reduce stigma and strengthen recovery pathways.

Education

Associate degree in health promotion related field

Certified Peer Specialist or Recovery Coach Certification (preferred)

Job description

Wood Countyis an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

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Community Health Worker (Peer Support/Recovery Coach)

Location: Health Dept WR

FT/PT: Full-time 38.75hrs/week - WRS Eligible

Deadline to apply: 11/16/2026

Hiring Range: $24.21 to $27.40/hr

Job Responsibilities:

WHO WE ARE:

The Wood County Health Department has a great passion for helping the members of our community. As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality services is a shared goal across all departments. If you have a passion to help the members of our community, please consider joining our team!

WHAT WE OFFER:

In addition to who we are, Wood County team members are offered competitive salaries, flexible schedules, and excellent benefits, including:

• Health Insurance - we offer low premiums and low deductibles, with excellent coverage!
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - This is one of the best-funded public pension plans in the U.S.!
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Vacation and Sick Time - Start accruing for both on your first day!
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Account to set aside pre-tax dollars for childcare and medical expenses
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Wellness Incentive Plan
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

WHO WE ARE:

The Wood County Health Department has a great passion for helping the members of our community. As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality services is a shared goal across all departments. If you have a passion to help the members of our community, please consider joining our team!

WHAT WE OFFER:

In addition to who we are, Wood County team members are offered competitive salaries, flexible schedules, and excellent benefits, including:

• Health Insurance - we offer low premiums and low deductibles, with excellent coverage!
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - This is one of the best-funded public pension plans in the U.S.!
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Vacation and Sick Time - Start accruing for both on your first day!
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Account to set aside pre-tax dollars for childcare and medical expenses
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Wellness Incentive Plan
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

Purpose of the Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) will be responsible for developing community partnerships, leading outreach efforts, and helping individuals navigate and access community services, other resources, and adopt healthy behaviors. CHW will primarily be working out in the community with specific target populations. The CHW will work closely with medical providers, healthcare teams, schools, and other community agencies to improve access to services and improve community health outcomes. As a priority, all activity will promote, maintain, and improve the health of the community. The CHW will advocate for individuals and community health needs and assist in providing services, including client visits, clinics, and health screenings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• 1. Promote community action and garner support and resources from community organizations to implement new activities.
• 2. Manage a caseload to provide evidence-based peer support and/or recovery coaching services.
• 3. Act as a liaison between the Wood County Health Department and community agencies to facilitate communication, coordinate services, and provide community education.
• 4. Build and maintain positive working relationships with clients, providers, nurse case managers, agency representatives, supervisors and office staff.
• 5. Effectively work with people (staff, clients, doctors, agencies, etc.) from diverse backgrounds in reducing cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and institutions.
• 6. Convey the purposes and services of a program to the target population and the impact that program or service would have.
• 7. Establish positive, supportive relationships with public health clients and seek feedback.
• 8. Assist clients and participants in accessing health related services.
• 9. Follow-up with public health clients via phone calls, home visits, school clinics, and other settings.
• 10. Help clients utilize resources, including making phone calls, scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.
• 11. Document client interactions, activities, service plans, and results in an effective manner while strictly adhering to the policies and procedures in place.
• 12. Be knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to the target population’s needs.
• 13. Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, services and programs provided.
• 14. Exhibit excellent working relations with community partners, patients, visitors and staff; effectively communicating the Wood County Health Department’s mission, vision, and core values.
• 15. Support outreach, education, and engagement to reduce stigma and strengthen recovery pathways.
• 16. Assists with set-up and clean-up as needed for scheduled events and initiatives.
• 17. Effectively use various websites and software programs, such as Time Activity Reporting (TAR).
• 18. Assist community health assessment and community health improvement plan efforts by connecting community organizations with Wood County Health Department, as alignment is determined.
• 19. Promote the department and team members positively in all interactions.
• 20. Collaborate with team members and willingly accept and provide constructive feedback to foster improvement.
• 21. Must be familiar with and exemplify the Wood County Core Values and serve with courtesy and respect in accordance with the Wood County Code of Conduct.
• 22. Responsible to know and practice the Safety policies of the County. Perform all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.

Other Duties

• 1. Assist individuals who come to the Health Department in a pleasant and professional manner.
• 2. Participate in improving agency performance, processes, programs, and interventions through continuous quality improvement.
• 3. Assume responsibility for own professional growth and development by pursuing education, participating in professional committees and work groups and contributing to a work environment where continual improvements in practice are pursued.
• 4. Attend regular staff meetings, trainings and other meetings as assigned.
• 5. Report to work as called in 24/7 in a public health crisis or emergency and performs public health emergency response duties as assigned and consistent with training provided.
• 6. Participate as part of the Incident Command Structure in planning, training, and exercising for emergencies; includes annual respirator fit testing.
• 7. Work to support the mission of the department and adheres to the core values as described in the most current agency strategic plan.
• 8. Responsible to know and practice the Safety Policies of the County. Perform all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.
• 9. Perform other duties as assigned consistent with job classification.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

High school graduate or equivalent. Associate Degree in a health promotion related field preferred. One to two years community health and/or public health experience preferred. Possession of a valid driver’s license, as well as a licensed and insured automobile are required; or other means of reliable transportation immediately available to candidate. Certified Peer Specialist or Recovery Coach Certification preferred (or ability to obtain within one year of hire).