Certified Peer Specialist - Full Time

PILLARS INC•Appleton, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

From homelessness to coming home, Pillars provides shelter, support, and solutions to address the housing needs in our community. The Peer Specialist engages and encourages peers (who are receiving crisis housing services from Pillars) in recovery from addiction and/or mental health issues and provides peers with a sense of community and belonging, supportive relationships, and valued roles.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required
Wisconsin Mental Health Peer Specialist certification required
Group facilitation or co-facilitation experience
Knowledge of methods for creating wellness/recovery plans and teaching others this practice
Ability to work inclusively and respectfully with a diverse community and practice civility in the workplace.
Strong oral, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills
Demonstrated integrity
Willingness to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Knowledge of Microsoft office suite and related technologies.
Ability to maintain confidential information and safeguard the security of information of Pillars and our clients.
Exceptional relationship-building ability with volunteers, clients and consumers, tenants, agency partners, donors and potential donors, board and committee members.
Manages difficult, emotional, and/or rapidly escalating situations; responds promptly to need; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.
Displays a positive attitude, demonstrates empathy and understanding, and interacts/presents solutions without judgment.
Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others ideas and tries new things.
Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
Act in accordance with Pillars’ policies and procedures
Complete all required compliance training/continuing education within specified timeframe
Maintain a thorough knowledge of all internal operating procedures, as well as applicable laws and regulations.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience providing peer support preferred

Responsibilities

Has passion for the mission of Pillars and displays agency values: Respect, Collaboration, Empowerment and Grit.
Establishes healthy, healing relationships with peers.
Assists peers with understanding the purpose of peer support and recovery models.
Provides peers with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA’s) definitions of recovery and its components.
Shares recovery story as appropriate to assist peers, provides hope and help in changing patterns and behaviors.
Creates an environment of respect for peers that honors the person-centered planning in taking charge of their own lives.
Uses a trauma informed approach to mutually explore with peers their experiences and supports individuals in getting appropriate resources for help.
Encourages peers to construct their own recovery/wellness plan that includes a proactive crisis plan.
Shares their plan to help peers in constructing their own version.
Supports peers in crisis to explore options that may be beneficial to returning to emotional wellness.
Encourages peers to become self-directed, focus on their strengths, exercise use of natural supports, develop their own recovery goals, and strengthen valued roles within the community.
Supports peers in researching and locating resources beneficial to their needs and desires.
Understands and explains to peers their rights.
Establishes acceptable boundaries with peers.
Revisits boundaries on an ongoing basis.
Enters clients into HMIS as needed.
Other duties as assigned.