Peer Support Specialist, Mental Health

OverviewGrow in your Career while caring for adults with significant special needs. Our adults have many needs that brought them to us. You will help them live their best life - all while carving a career path for yourself. We ensure people with challenging special needs and those who serve them have the support they need to thrive.You will:Be part of a reliable, caring team that provides direct support to adults with severe behavioral and physical disabilitiesHave more one on one care with residentsBe relied upon to enhance the overall health, safety, and welfare of our clientsAt Homes for Independent Living, we want you to succeed. When you join our team, you will be:Enrolled in our comprehensive training program designed to build your skills and confidenceEligible for internal promotionsCompetitively compensated with a starting wage of $12/hour. Our Culture There's more to Homes for Independent Living than competitive pay and benefits. Homes for Independent Living is a MyPath company, a 100% employee-owned organization that transforms lives. We do this by offering residential, educational, vocational and day programs for people with special needs.Each year, after your first year of employment with us, you will receive part of your income in company stock, making you an employee owner. This stock allocation is a company-funded benefit - no investment from employees is required. Yet, employee ownership goes beyond simply stock.As a MyPath company, we support an ownership culture through the organization. Our culture is based upon five beliefs: PassionAccountabilityTeamworkOpennessContinuous Learning and Innovation As an employee owner you can expect transparency, respect, and appreciation. You'll impact the place you work and map a career within Homes for Independent Living or other ORP companies. With your passion and our breadth of services, your options are nearly limitless!We are an equal opportunity employer. Men, women, and minorities are encouraged to apply.ResponsibilitiesPOSITION OVERVIEWThe Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) engages and encourages mental health peers in recovery, and also provides peers with a sense of community and belonging, supportive relationships, and valued roles. The goal is to promote wellness, self direction, and recovery focus, enhancing the skill and ability of peers to meet their chosen goals. The CPS works with peers as equals. Peer support must be the core of every task performed by the CPS.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS??? Participate in helping service recipients understand recovery and achieve their own recovery needs, wants, and goals and to be guided by the principles of self determination.??? Create an environment of respect for peers which honors the persons taking charge of their own lives.??? Establish acceptable boundaries with the peers, revisiting boundaries on an ongoing basis.??? Provide hope and help in changing patterns and behaviors after intentionally sharing their own recovery story.??? Establish healing relationships with peers. Assist peers to understand the purpose of peer support and recovery models.??? Construct his/her own recovery/wellness plan which also includes a proactive crisis plan.??? Support peers in crisis to explore options that may be beneficial to returning to emotional wellness.??? Encourage peers to become self-directed, focus on their strengths, exercise use of natural supports, develop their own recovery goals and strengthen valued roles within their community.??? Provide an environment of recovery, wellness, and hope. Provide culturally sensitive and age appropriate services specific to each peer. Use active listening skills.??? Satisfies trauma-informed training requirements and remains knowledgeable on trauma-informed supports in order to promote development of resources.??? Research and locate resources that are beneficial to peers needs and desires.??? Promotes group facilitation or co-facilitation of relevant trainings.??? Documents work hours per the Payroll Policy.??? Adheres to all applicable HIL procedures and policies in regards to attendance, timelines and requests for time off.??? Reports allegations of abuse, conflict of interest, harassment, or fraud to appropriate level of management.QualificationsTo be considered for this job, you must meet the following requirements:Must be at least 18 years oldDemonstrated skill and/or potential in working with individuals with special needs in a supportive environment.Exceptional communication and problem-solving skillsAbility to maintain self-composure and self-control under stressful conditionsAbility to remain comfortable and composed when clients may exhibit aggressive, challenging, or offensive behaviorsAccess to an insured vehicle is strongly preferredSuccessful completion of a caregiver background check as mandated by Wisconsin Chapter DHS 12Successful completion of a pre-employment TB test and health screenWe maintain a drug-free workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer. Men, Women, Minorities, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.