COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION

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 service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

DEFINITION

The Peer Support Specialist is an active member of the Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC) team, which connects Dane County residents with the behavioral health care they need.  The Peer Support Specialist is a professional with personal lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges   The Peer Support Specialist uses their unique lived experience, training, certification in the peer specialist model of behavioral health-oriented peer support, and continuing education to support people with similar lived experience. Peer support at the BHRC is transitional support typically lasting 4-6 months. The goal is to support the peer in the emotional and practical challenges of navigating the behavioral health system.  Under general supervision, the Peer Support Specialist will bring their lived experience and knowledge to inspire hope and recovery with a focus on peer empowerment, relationship, connection to resources, and community.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Working alongside BHRC case managers, support the recovery goals of peers seeking assistance from the BHRC when appropriate and requested; with the peer’s permission, skillfully and intentionally share one’s recovery story and use lived experience as a way of inspiring hope and supporting a person living with behavioral health concerns; assist peers to understand the purpose of peer support and the recovery process; support the peer’s exploration of information and options regarding community and recovery-oriented resources; bridge gaps and delays in connecting with services; serve as a validating and non-judgmental resource to peers through active listening, authentic engagement, reassurance, and compassion; support peers in articulating personal goals for recovery and developing recovery plans;  elevate the voice of peers in accessing services and supports; value self-determination as a guiding ethical principle which honors individuals for taking charge of their own lives; support peers, work collaboratively with other team members; provide active and back up phone peer consultation and drop-in support for BHRC consumers; document all calls, contacts, referrals and activities in database or record keeping system; coordinate and facilitate peer-led groups that promote wellness, independence, self-direction, and recovery; participate in community outreach activities to provide information and promote BHRC services as assigned; serve on workgroups and committees as assigned, perform other tasks as assigned.

Requires a high school diploma or GED, personal lived experience as a person with mental health, and/or substance use challenges, of receiving behavioral health services, and of being in personal recovery; a willingness to self-identify as a person with such lived-experience and to share that experience with peers AND one (1) or more years of experience (volunteer or professional), in a supportive, helping or human service capacity. Also requires completion of WI State Certified Peer Specialist training prior to employment.

Certifications/Licenses:

Requires certification in the State of Wisconsin as a Peer Specialist within six months of employment.

Special Requirements:
Must have a valid driver’s license, or access to reliable personal transportation or equivalent, which would allow for providing services in a variety of locations throughout Dane County.  Availability to occasionally work as required during nights, weekends, holidays, and special events in order to provide access to support services outside of regular working hours, and at a time that participating peers are available.

Background Check Statement: Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job’s responsibilities.    However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant’s criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.).  Dane County reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

For Bilingual Positions: 

1. Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Hmong, etc.).
2. Applicants being considered for Bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process. This may consist of either being able to respond to questions in that language (e.g., Spanish, Hmong, etc.) during the interview; or passing an oral translation (English to foreign language / foreign language to English) exam prior to employment.

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements: 

Professional office and community-based work environment. Work involves walking, sitting, standing, bending, stooping, twisting, turning, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, grasping, and reaching within normal ranges. Prolonged computer and phone use. Manual dexterity using fine and gross motor skills. Ability to speak and be heard by others. Ability to see and hear within normal ranges with or without corrective devices.

Ability to engage and work with people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds with understanding, empathy and respect for individuals. Ability to practice cultural humility, that is, self-reflection and a willingness to learn from others, focused on how one’s own customs values, and beliefs and those of others, impact engagement and successful peer support. It means entering a relationship with another person with the intention of honoring their customs values. Ability to listen to and understand with accuracy the person’s perspective and experience. Ability to elicit a person’s perspective, experiences, goals, dreams, and challenges, and to recognize and affirm a person’s strengths. Ability to foster engagement in recovery as defined by the person, and support the concept of multiple paths to recovery.   Ability to use the computer to document case notes and activities. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Knowledge of the core competencies, principles and values, scope of practice, and ethics that guide and promote best practices in peer support. General knowledge of mental health and substance use challenges and their impact on recovery. Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies that support peers in self-directed recovery. Knowledge of appropriate recovery resources, including basic needs, medical, behavioral health; ability to facilitate referrals; and to support a peer’s ability to find and utilize resources. Knowledgeable of the ethics, boundaries, power, privilege, and control issues unique to the culture of the peer and the Peer Specialist role. Knowledge of the impact of discrimination, marginalization, oppression, internalized stigma and shame on the process of recovery.