Lead Certified Peer Specialist - CLASP (Internal Candidates Only)

Wisconsin Community Services, Inc.; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Wisconsin Community Services in Milwaukee is seeking a Lead Certified Peer Specialist to support the CLASP program. You will engage individuals using lived experience to model recovery, assist with contract monitoring, and ensure quality services are provided.

Responsibilities include coordinating intakes, documenting care, and supporting staff in supervision. A trauma-informed, strength-based approach is essential, with emphasis on engagement and recovery.

Qualifications

• High school or GED/HSED required; must be a graduate of state Certified Peer Specialist training.
• Possession of current Certified Peer Specialist certification preferred and required within one year.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience serving individuals with substance use or mental health needs.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile, and insurance to meet agency requirements.
• Knowledge of recovery principles and DHS 34 requirements.

Responsibilities

• Engage people in care using strength-based, trauma-informed, person-centered approaches.
• Link individuals to self-determined supports and traditional mental health services.
• Assist in goal exploration and create a plan for program enrollment.
• Document interactions and activities in the electronic medical record.
• Enrolling individuals into CLASP and coordinating intakes with referrals.
• Monitor contract requirements and ensure timely documentation.
• Develop crisis plans and support staff in weekly supervision.
• Promote a positive, respectful culture and collaborate with staff to meet needs.
• Provide 1:1 peer support in community settings and accompany clients to appointments.

Skills

Communication

Technological Aptitude

Managing Priorities

Problem-Solving

Adaptability

Teamwork

Motivation

Professionalism

Multicultural Sensitivity

Education

High school diploma or GED

Certified Peer Specialist training

Certified Peer Specialist certification (preferred/within 1 year)

Job description

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

Lead Certified Peer Specialist - CLASP (Internal Candidates Only)

Job Code: 2026-SPECIALI-021 Location: Milwaukee Department: CLASP FT/PT Status: Full Time Job Responsibilities:

This position is open to current WCS employees only. Applications must be received by 04/20/2026.

Job Summary

The Lead Peer Specialist is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations of Community Linkages and Stabilization Program (CLASP). The Lead Certified Peer Specialist is required to be a Certified Peer Specialist and is responsible for serving individuals in the program by utilizing their own unique lived experience to engage and role model recovery during each interaction. The Lead Peer Specialist is also responsible for supporting the CLASP Clinical Coordinator with monitoring all contract requirements and ensuring that quality services are being provided.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Committed and skilled at engaging people through a strength based, trauma informed, person-centered, and culturally intelligent approach. This position has a strong focus on engaging people in care and services.
• 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.
• 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.
• Document all interactions, collateral contacts, and activities specific to the individual’s care and treatment in the electronic medical record.
• Facilitates enrollments into CLASP by communicating with referral sources, scheduling intakes with individuals who are referred, and completing intakes/assigning newly enrolled individuals to other WCS CLASP Peer Specialists.
• Monitor contract requirements for CLASP (i.e. clinical supervision, crisis plan timeliness, documentation, etc.)
• Complete Crisis Plans and document activities according to Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division.
• Supports Clinical Coordinator with closely monitoring staff weekly service hours.
• Uphold and promote a positive, strength based, and supportive culture.
• Collaborates with staff about individuals being served by the program to ensure individual’s needs are being met by the program.
• Provides coverage to peers enrolled in the program when other CLASP staff are out of the office.
• Attend clinical staff meetings and closely communicate with Clinical Coordinator to monitor the needs of individuals who are considered high risk and in need of additional support.
• Maintain confidentiality within all written and verbal communications.
• Presents as needed/requested on the topic of peer support and/or recovery via informational sessions or meetings with contract partners and other community-based organizations.
• Provide transportation and attend appointments with people enrolled. Advocate with the person to meet identified needs.
• Provide 1:1 peer support services to people in the community (including their home and other community-based locations).
• From a recovery perspective, provide a strength-based review of an individual's abilities, strengths, and assets.
• Utilize Active listening and positive communication skills.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and weekly or bi-weekly clinical supervision.
• Assists as needed with gathering information for monthly reports, data collection, and other contract requirements.

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• High school or GED/HSED required; must be a graduate of state Certified Peer Specialist training.
• Possession of current Certified Peer Specialist certification upon hire is preferred and is required within one year of hire.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience serving individuals with substance use, mental health, and/or co-occurring needs.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile, and insurance sufficient to meet agency requirements is necessary.
• Meet all the employee requirements including references, criminal background check, drug test, and driver’s license check.
• Program specific knowledge:
  • Personal experience with being in recovery and having lived experience with mental health and/or substance use needs.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of recovery principles.
  • General knowledge of substance use and mental health treatment resources in Milwaukee County, and evidence-based practices.
  • Ability to serve people during crisis situations.
  • Ability to support staff in crisis situations.
  • Knowledge of DHS 34 requirements.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Communication – ability to provide information effectively with a diverse population - the persons we serve, supervisor, colleagues, and program partners in writing and oral communications.
• Technological Aptitude – Ability to use general technological skills throughout daily job i.e., Email, Internet, Microsoft Excel, AWARDS, Avatar NX.
• Managing Priorities/Deadlines – Ability to maintain schedules, meet deadlines and manage multiple projects.
• Problem-Solving Skills – Ability to think critically and be solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment and adapt to program changes and challenges.
• Adaptability – Ability to manage change, deal with situations as they arise and work independently or as part of a team.
• Teamwork – Ability to work as a team participant productively while also managing independent contributing duties and responsibilities.
• Motivation – Possess a commitment to the assigned job, mission and core values of the organization while also supporting a respectful and harmonious work setting.
• Professionalism – Ability to conduct oneself with a high level of integrity, ethics and boundaries.
• Multicultural Sensitivity – The role involves working in the community and interacting directly with diverse populations, including peers, partners, and service providers. As such, the employee must demonstrate professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and strong interpersonal skills while representing the organization in a variety of settings.

Physical Demands

Other Job Information (if applicable):

Work is performed in an office and community environment. Travel is required. Must be able to go up and down stairs. Must be comfortable being around and/or interacting with adults who have significant mental health and/or substance use needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment

Noise levels range from low to medium. Work is performed in an office and community environment. Work is performed in the community including going into homes, and other locations to serve adults enrolled in CLASP. Travel is required. A flexible work schedule is required to meet the needs of staff and the people being served.