Peer Support Specialist

Wisconsin Community Services, Inc.; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. is seeking a Peer Support Specialist in Milwaukee to use lived experience to support individuals and families in services. The role focuses on promoting hope, recovery, wellness, and self-advocacy through coaching and practical support.

You will build trust, navigate systems of care, and help participants develop plans of care and crisis supports while maintaining timely documentation and collaboration with care teams.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Cultural competence and knowledge of recovery principles.
• Experience or willingness to engage with Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 peer support to individuals and families in homes and community-based settings.
• Help navigate mental health, substance use, and other systems of care.
• Identify strengths, barriers, needs, goals, and priorities with participants.
• Partner with care teams to ensure continuity of care and develop recovery supports.
• Complete required documentation and case notes in a timely, accurate, and strengths-based manner.
• Attend supervision, staff meetings, trainings, and other required meetings; assist with coverage for co-workers as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Cultural competence

Recovery principles

Education

High school diploma, GED, or HSED

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Teams

Job description

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Job Responsibilities: Job Summary

The Peer Support Specialist uses lived experience with mental health, substance use, co-occurring, and other life challenges to support, engage, and advocate for individuals and families in services. Through peer support training and certification, or completion within one year of hire, this role serves as a coach, mentor, and role model promoting hope, recovery, wellness, self-advocacy, and community involvement. Peer Support Specialists build on individual and family strengths, enhance skills, support problem- solving and crisis management, help navigate systems of care, and promote active partnership to improve quality of life and long-term outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide 1:1 peer support to individuals and families in homes and other community-based settings, using lived experience to build trust, engage participants, and role- model recovery.
2. Support participants and caregivers in navigating substance use, mental health, behavioral health, child welfare, and other systems of care so their needs are addressed and their voice is heard and respected.
3. Help individuals and/or their families to identify strengths, barriers, needs, goals, and priorities.
4. Partner with participants, families, and care teams to ensure continuity of care to develop strategies, plans of care, crisis plans, and recovery supports.
5. Provide coaching, education, and practical support to strengthen wellness, crisis management, problem solving, and self-advocacy skills.
6. Link participants and families to services, natural supports, and community resources to help build sustainable support networks.
7. Promote engagement in services and recovery activities by accompanying participants to appointments, meetings, and community-based activities as needed.
8. Complete required documentation, case records, and progress notes in a timely, accurate, and strengths-based manner in accordance with agency, funding, and regulatory requirements.
9. Attend and actively participate in Supervision, Staff Meetings, Trainings, And Other Required Meetings.
10. Assist with coverage for co-workers as needed.

Other Experience and Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or HSED required.
• Completion of Wisconsin peer support training or demonstrate the ability to obtain certification within one year of hire.
• Personal lived experience with mental health, substance use, co-occurring, or related life challenges.
• Experience working with children, youth, young adults, adult individuals, and families.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, cultural competence, and knowledge of recovery principles.
• Must meet all agency and contractor requirements for background, caregiver background, driving record, and reference checks.
• Completion of required agency and program trainings is expected.
• Experience working with Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services Valid Wisconsin Driver\'s License, automobile insurance, and access to an automobile required.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Knowledge Of Mental Health, Substance use, co-occurring needs, recovery principles, and person-centered support. Ability to build respectful, supportive relationships with staff, individuals served, and their families. Ability to remain calm, professional, and responsive in crisis situations. Strong listening, communication, and follow-through skills, including the ability to follow written and verbal directions. Proficiency in computer use, accurate documentation, and meeting deadlines. Competence in Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Teams. Ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultural, ethnic, and life backgrounds.

Backgrounds. Additional Preferred Qualifications Higher Education In a

relevant field Bilingual abilities