Peer Specialist

North Central Health Care (NCHC); Wausau (FL); On-site; USD 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Paid holidays

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

On-site bistro/cafeteria

Pharmacy on-site

Updated facility

Life insurance

Accident insurance

Hospital insurance

Employee assistance program

Employee discounts

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)

Job summary

North Central Health Care in Wisconsin seeks a Peer Specialist to provide recovery-oriented support for individuals with substance use and mental health challenges. The role centers on mentorship, empowerment, and building a sense of belonging within the community.

As a full-time, in-person position, the Peer Specialist collaborates with the treatment team, uses lived experience to inspire wellness, and helps clients access housing, resources, and community supports while maintaining

Qualifications

• Lived experience of recovery applied professionally.
• Certification or training in peer support required or completed within two weeks of hire.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and unrestricted driving privileges.

Responsibilities

• Engage, encourage, and empower clients on their recovery journey.
• Share strategies and coping tools to model hope and self-efficacy.
• Help clients set goals and build individualized recovery plans.
• Advocate for client needs during meetings and appointments.
• Support client independence and informed decision-making.
• Help clients access housing, treatment, education, and community supports.

Skills

Lived recovery experience

Peer Support Specialist certification

Valid driver's license

Auto insurance coverage

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Peer Specialist certification or training within 2 weeks

Job description

The Peer Specialist Opportunity:

The Peer Specialist provides recovery-oriented support and rehabilitation services for individuals experiencing challenges related to substance use disorders, including those enrolled in the Substance Use Program or residing in Sober Living Homes. Drawing upon personal lived experience in recovery, the Peer Specialist offers encouragement, mentorship, and a sense of belonging to clients. Working collaboratively with the treatment team, the Peer Specialist facilitates a supportive environment that inspires wellness and recovery, while encouraging strength and self-direction. This position supports and empowers clients living with mental health and/or substance use disorders by building trust, encouraging recovery, and fostering a sense of belonging, connection, and independence within the community.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The starting pay range for this role is $17.21 - $18.74, based on education and experience.
• This position is full-time and in person.

• PTO, paid holidays, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, on-site bistro and cafeteria, pharmacy, newly updated facility, life insurance, accident insurance, hospital insurance, employee assistance program, and employee discounts.
• As a full-time employee of NCHC, you are eligible for the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). The WRS is a hybrid defined benefit plan. It contains elements of both a 401(k) or defined contribution plan and a defined benefit plan. Participating staff contribute 7.2% and NCHC will match this at 100% each pay period!

What Qualifies You:

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Certification as a Peer Support Specialist through the State of Wisconsin or completion of an approved Peer Specialist training (CCAR or equivalent) within two weeks of hire.
• Must possess a valid Wisconsin driver's license and maintain unrestricted driving privileges throughout employment.
• Must be authorized to operate any vehicle to transport clients, patients, or staff as required by the position.
• Required to obtain and maintain auto insurance coverage at the amounts required by North Central Health Care.
• Lived experience in recovery from substance use and/or mental health challenges, with the ability to apply that experience in a professional setting.

Preferred:

• One or more years of relevant experience in peer support, recovery services, or behavioral health.
• Familiarity with recovery-based practices, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care

In evaluating candidates for this position, North Central Health Care may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

What a Peer Specialist does at NCHC:

• Use lived recovery experience to engage, encourage, and empower clients on their recovery journey.
• Share personal strategies, coping tools, and recovery principles to model hope and self-efficacy.
• Assist clients in setting personal goals, developing individualized recovery plans, and building natural community supports.

• Advocate for client needs during team meetings and community appointments.
• Model and teach self-advocacy skills to promote client independence and informed decision-making.
• Support clients in accessing resources such as housing, treatment, education, and community-based support systems.

• Develop and co-facilitate group sessions focused on wellness, relapse prevention, and community integration.
• Provide education on recovery concepts, harm reduction, and substance use awareness.
• Offer encouragement and feedback to support ongoing motivation and progress toward goals.

• Work effectively with interdisciplinary team members.
• Maintain consistent, professional communication with clients, staff, and community partners.
• Participate in treatment planning, clinical supervision, and program development meetings.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with agency and billing requirements.
• Ensure confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA standards and agency policies.
• Participate in program quality improvement efforts and outcomes monitoring.

• Recognize potential crises and offer proactive support to prevent escalation.
• Utilize de-escalation and motivational techniques to ensure client and staff safety.
• Collaborate with team members to address emergent needs and ensure appropriate follow-up.

• Maintain current Peer Specialist certification and continuing education requirements.
• Participate in supervision, staff meetings, and relevant professional trainings.
• Demonstrate adherence to ethical boundaries, confidentiality, and recovery-based values.
• Will transport clients throughout the community when needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Environment and Physical Requirements

• Work performed in both office and community settings, including Sober Living Homes and partner organizations.
• Frequent travel within and occasionally outside of the county for client support and community meetings.
• Potential exposure to communicable diseases and bloodborne pathogens during routine work.
• Interaction with individuals who may be agitated, confused, or experiencing crisis.
• Regular sitting, standing, walking, bending, and light lifting (up to 25 lbs.).

About North Central Health Care:

Nestled in the heart of Central Wisconsin, North Central Health Care (NCHC) is a healthcare organization formed over fifty years ago as a partnership between three Central Wisconsin counties - Langlade, Lincoln, and Marathon. NCHC employs more than 600 professionals in diverse roles across a variety of care and work environments. We provide passionate and high-quality care for individuals and families within the fields of mental health treatment, addiction services, long term care, short term care, physical therapy, crisis stabilization and so much more. We have amazing employees who provide exceptional care and want to add to our team. You can visit our website at www.norcen.org/careers to learn more.

In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, NCHC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. North Central Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer.