PEER SUPPORT SERVICES COORDINATOR

Salary : $34.14 - $43.91 Hourly

Location : Madison, WI

Job Type : Full time (1.0FTE)

Job Number : 2025-00114

Department : Human Services Department

Opening Date : 02 / 14 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 28 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Central

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit : 1871

Description

The Dane County Department of Human Services has a current full time (1.0 FTE) vacancy for a Peer Support Services Coordinator in the Behavioral Health Division. The Eligible List created from this vacancy may be used to fill vacancies for the next six (6) months.

Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties

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

This position is located in the Department of Human Services, Behavioral Health Division (BH) - Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC).Under general direction of their supervisor, Peer Support Services Coordinators provide, promote, organize and coordinate peer support services provided by the BHRC. Assist in ensuring BHRC peer support services align with organizational goals and client needs. Conduct outreach activities, engage with and develop partnerships with underserved populations, contribute to the development and maintenance of the resource repository, and provide connection and collaboration with other community peer support providing agencies. Peer Support Services Coordinators also provide direct peer support to individuals and groups as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Peer Support Services Coordinators assist with developing and maintaining BHRC best practices regarding peer support services, program measures, and consumer surveys in order to assess and measure program impact. Support development and maintenance of the peer services portion of the BHRC website, behavioral health resource repository, and other targeted resource materials. Ensure program services align with best practices and organizational standards. Assist in the orientation and training of new employees within the BHRC. Provide coordination of peer support referrals, assignment, and service delivery in collaboration with supervisor and other team members. Foster a positive work environment that promotes growth and resilience. Provide drop-in support for BHRC customers as needed, offering accurate and informed referral information to Dane County residents seeking behavioral health information and treatment. Provide direct peer support to peers referred by the BHRC in collaboration with other team members. Document all calls, contacts, referrals and BHRC activities in database or record keeping system.

Participate in workgroups and consortiums as assigned by supervisor. Maintain collaborations between the BHRC and contracted agencies providing peer support with a focus on implementing referral processes and integration with the work of the BHRC. Promote BHRC services in the community through presentations and group forums as directed. Act as a change agent by advocating for client-centered approaches with the BHRC, BH Division, and with external partners. Advocate to advance the inclusion of peer support and self-determination. Perform other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience and Special Requirements

Education, Training and Experience :

Any combination of education, training and or experience equivalent to at least two (2) years of progressively responsible full-time work experience as a Certified Peer Support Specialist in the provision of peer support with peers facing mental health and / or substance use challenges. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college / university in a human service-related field may be substituted for one year of the experience requirement. Experience working effectively with culturally and socioeconomically diverse populations.

Certifications / Licenses :

Requires certification in the State of Wisconsin as a Certified Peer Specialist at time of application.

Special Requirements :

Must have a valid driver's license, and 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 and weekends, in order to provide access to support services outside of regular working hours, and at a time that participating peers are available. Also refer to the "Physical and Environmental Work Requirements" section below.

Background Check Statement : Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 - 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. 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.). Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

For Bilingual Positions :

• Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.).
• Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of passing an oral language proficiency assessment from English to foreign language and foreign language to English, but may require additional language testing, such as written translation, if it is an essential function of the job.
• If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications / examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position's bilingual designation.

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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge and understanding of peer support best practices, recovery-oriented services, and the role of lived experience in peer support. Knowledge of and adherence to peer support code of ethics. Knowledge of mental health and substance use conditions and common challenges faced by individuals seeking recovery. Awareness of trauma informed approaches and the effects of trauma on recovery. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with people and groups from a wide variety of backgrounds and across differences in race, culture, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, values, beliefs, learning styles, and literacy levels. Leadership skills, collaboration and community engagement skills, cultural humility, facilitation skills, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary personnel, programs, and partners. Ability to effectively support and offer guidance to Peer Support Specialists at the BHRC. Knowledge of public and private systems of behavioral healthcare in Dane County and ability to assess the needs of individuals with mental health and substance use disorders across the lifespan. Effective personal, written, and verbal communication skills. Excellent organizational and time management skills. Proficiency in use of various software platforms including Salesforce BHub and the Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.). Ability to use a computer to generate reports, complete forms, and document case activity. Capacity to organize large amounts of information and manage complex situations to achieve the most effective individual and programmatic outcomes. Ability to be decisive, consistent and diplomatic. Ability to follow oral and written instructions, autonomously meet deadlines, participate in and appropriately use supervision. Ability to work and thrive in a team environment, which relies on clear communication and engagement. Ability to set, communicate, and respect personal boundaries of self and others. Ability to work in a fast paced, team-oriented environment, as well as work independently to complete tasks as assigned.

Become a part of the Dane County Team!

We offer a wide range of benefits including fully paid dental and HMO health insurance premiums for full time employees / pro rated for part time employees. The County will also provide contributions towards POS health insurance premiums and short / long term disability. Additional benefits available include long term care, vision coverage, flex spending account and deferred compensation programs paid in full by the employee and a wellness program. For further details on insurance benefits visit

Bilingual Pay : Employees who work in bilingual designated positions receive an additional $2.00 per hour.

Undesirable Hours Premium Pay : Employees may receive undesirable hours pay of $2.00 for anytime worked between 6 : 00 p.m. and 6 : 00 a.m and for anytime on Saturday and / or Sunday. (not applicable with all employee groups).

Paid Parental Leave : Dane County also provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption of a child.

Caregiver Leave : Dane County offers 80 hours of paid leave to care for an ill family member.

Telecommuting : Telecommuting allows employees to work remotely for all or part of their workweek. Dane County considers telecommuting to be a viable, flexible option when both the employee and the job are suited to such an arrangement. Dane County will permit telecommuting when it benefits the productivity of the employee and their department and if determined by employee's department that telecommuting is not detrimental to either the County or the employee.

Student Loan Forgiveness : If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

WI Retirement System : Employees hired after 7-1-11 must be expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours annually to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System when hired.

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Dane County participates in E-Verify. For more information see the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters here" and then the 'here' links to this page :

Do you have any combination of education, training and or experience equivalent to at least two (2) years of progressively responsible full-time work experience as a Certified Peer Support Specialist in the provision of peer support with peers facing mental health and / or substance use challenges?

Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college / university in a human service-related field?

At time of application, are you certified in the State of Wisconsin as a Certified Peer Specialist?

Did you use artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content or tools in any part of this position's job application process?

If you used AI-generated content or tools, do you have an approved request from Dane County's ADA Coordinator to do so?

If you used AI-generated content or tools to complete any part of the job application process, please list in which sections of the application process you did so, including responses to graded questions.

THIS QUESTION IS GRADED. Please describe the training, education and work experience you have completed related to the provision and coordination of peer support services. Be specific as to dates, job titles, and duration of experience. Explain how your education, training and work experience has prepared you for the role of Peer Support Services Coordinator.

THIS QUESTION IS GRADED. The role of a Coordinator may include, for example, tasks such as :

THIS QUESTION IS GRADED. Peer support requires a deep understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds, lived experiences, and individual needs. Please describe the core principles, values, and strategies you prioritize when working with peers across backgrounds and cultures. Also share a specific instance where you adapted your peer support approach to align with a peer's cultural or individual needs. What steps did you take to ensure cultural responsiveness, and how did your adaptation influence the peer's experience and overall outcome?

Required Question

Salary : $34 - $44