SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST- PATHWAYS HOME PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

About the role

Overview: Integrated Care and Recovery Services provides supports for mental health and/or substance use recovery. Peer support specialists in the Pathways Specialized Unit use lived experience with homelessness, mental health and/or substance use to assist participants navigate services, transition to stable housing, sustain housing, and support mental wellness. They work closely with a social worker and mental health/substance use professional, promote wellness, self-direction, recovery, teach daily living skills, help navigate community resources, engage in meaningful activities, and assist with service systems navigation.

Responsibilities

• Act with Integrity and Build Trust: demonstrate mutual respect, humility, honesty; speak up appropriately; actively listen; remain open-minded.
• Drive for Results: set clear goals; seek process improvements; hold self and others accountable.
• Develop Talent and Effective Teams: foster collaboration; provide mentorship; recognize diverse strengths.
• Lead with Vision and Strategy: understand and communicate vision; develop strategies; connect work to bigger picture.
• Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking: navigate complexity; adapt quickly; make critical decisions using analysis and input.
• Build and Maintain Effective Relationships: communicate and collaborate with stakeholders; influence through coaching; develop partnerships.
• Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service: understand community needs; incorporate perspectives; drive positive impact initiatives.
• Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence: self-awareness; manage emotions; seek feedback; balance empathy with accountability.
• Provide Direct Recovery Support: mental health and substance use services in individual and group settings.
• Self‑Disclosure as a Tool: use lived experience to give relatable insights and mentorship.
• Cultivate Empowering Relationships: build supportive, trusting relationships with peers.
• Inspire Hope: model resilience; show change is possible.
• Facilitate Self‑Determination: encourage informed decision‑making aligned with goals.
• Respect and Inclusivity: honor lived experience, culture, community, identity.
• Resource Sharing & Navigation: provide information about community resources and recovery‑oriented supports.
• Goal Setting: facilitate person‑centered goal setting for housing, recovery, wellness.
• Trauma‑Informed Practice: apply trauma‑informed approaches; create safe spaces.
• Crisis Support: offer emotional support and connect to appropriate resources during crises.
• Effective Communication: communicate clearly and empathetically with peers, team, clinicians.
• Collaboration and System Improvement: participate in homelessness response partner network (Pathways Conferencing) to improve service delivery.
• Collaboration with Case Managers: work closely with social workers and service providers for coordinated care.
• Documentation and Reporting: accurately document interactions using required systems for Medicaid billing and funding compliance.
• Adherence to Ethics & Competencies: follow WI Certified Peer Specialist Program Code of Ethics, Scope of Practice, Core Competencies, and La Crosse County ethics guidelines.
• Housing Transition and Sustaining Support: assist clients preparing for housing transitions, finding suitable housing, educating on tenant/landlord responsibilities, including hands‑on help with searches, applications, transportation, legal/credit barriers.
• Post‑Housing Support: provide ongoing support to sustain housing via skills coaching, budgeting, transportation, medical self‑management, rebuilding social connections, and resource connection.

Requirements

• Lived Experience: personal experience with homelessness and/or self‑disclosed mental health and/or substance use.
• Preference for at least one year of experience working with persons experiencing homelessness, housing instability, mental health, and/or substance use recovery.
• Certification: Wisconsin Certified Peer Support Specialist, Certified Peer Recovery Coach, or eligibility and willingness to obtain certification within a specified timeframe.
• Valid driver's license and access to personal transportation, or other reliable means for city and rural travel.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Empathy