DTE Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Job Summary

The Defined Term Employee (DTE) Peer Recovery Support Specialist provides peer-based support to individuals experiencing substance use or co-occurring substance use and mental health challenges. Drawing appropriately upon lived experience, the position mentors, coaches, and assists participants in identifying recovery goals, building skills, accessing resources, and addressing barriers to services. The position supports continuity of care by connecting participants with treatment providers, recovery services, community resources, and natural supports while promoting self-determination, individual choice, and multiple pathways to recovery. Services are provided across community-based settings, including recovery homes and Treatment Court, in collaboration with behavioral health staff and community partners.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Provides individualized peer support to assist participants in identifying and working toward personal recovery, wellness, and life goals.
2. Uses lived experience appropriately to mentor, coach, encourage, and support participants in developing skills, recognizing strengths, and progressing toward established goals.
3. Promotes continuity of care by supporting participants throughout the continuum of behavioral health and recovery services, including recovery homes and Treatment Court.
4. Establishes supportive peer relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and adhering to Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) ethical guidelines.
5. Connects participants with behavioral health, recovery, social service, and community resources and supports based on identified needs and goals.
6. Plans and facilitates peer-based groups and activities designed to promote recovery, wellness, skill development, and social connection.
7. Serves as a liaison to the local recovery community and helps participants develop connections with natural, peer, and community-based supports.
8. Assists participants in identifying and addressing barriers to behavioral health, recovery, and other supportive services while promoting self-determination, voice, and choice.
9. Provides services in community-based settings and maintains flexibility in scheduling to support participant recovery goals and program needs.
10. Collaborates with behavioral health staff and other service providers through regular team meetings, care coordination, and ongoing supervision while maintaining the distinct role of peer support.
11. Completes accurate and timely documentation of peer support services in accordance with program, funding, confidentiality, and documentation requirements.
12. Maintains strict confidentiality and adheres to all relevant laws, policies, and procedures regarding personal and medical information.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Peer Support & Recovery Orientation: Uses lived experience appropriately to build hope, model recovery, and support individuals in identifying and pursuing their own recovery and life goals.
• Engagement & Rapport: Builds trusting, respectful relationships with individuals through empathy, active listening, authenticity, and a nonjudgmental approach.
• Self-Determination & Advocacy: Promotes individual voice, choice, informed decision-making, and self-advocacy while supporting multiple pathways to recovery.
• Recovery Coaching & Mentoring: Uses peer support strategies to help individuals build skills, identify strengths, overcome barriers, and make progress toward established goals.
• Resource Navigation & Community Connection: Connects individuals with behavioral health, recovery, social service, and community resources and helps address barriers to accessing services and supports.
• Communication & Collaboration: Communicates effectively with individuals, families, treatment providers, community partners, and interdisciplinary teams while maintaining the distinct role of peer support.
• Professional Boundaries & Ethics: Maintains appropriate peer relationships and adheres to PRSS ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, and professional boundaries.
• Cultural Humility & Trauma-Informed Support: Provides respectful, person-centered support that recognizes individual experiences, culture, strengths, trauma history, and recovery preferences.
• Group Facilitation: Plans and facilitates peer-based groups and activities that promote recovery, wellness, connection, and skill development.
• Documentation: Maintains accurate, timely, and appropriate documentation of peer support services in accordance with program requirements.

Required Education & Experience

• Possess personal lived experience with substance use challenges or co-occurring substance use and mental health challenges
• Must complete 40 hours of approved training in basic set of competences within one (1) month of hire:
  • Ten hours of training in advocacy
  • Ten hours of training in mentoring and education
  • Ten hours of training in recovery and wellness support
  • Ten hours of training in ethical responsibility
• Demonstrate ability to accurately and timely document services, interactions, and relevant information
• Valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Previous experience in recovery coaching or peer support services.
• Holds certification as a peer support specialist. 
• High school diploma or equivalent

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

Work is performed in both office and field settings, including client homes, sober living homes, medical facilities, and community locations. Requires frequent use of computers and mobile devices, as well as verbal communication in person and by phone. Physical demands include sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, and occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds.

This position requires a non-traditional work schedule, which includes weekends, while maintaining a 40-hour workweek.

Emergency Response Statement

In an effort to provide for continuity of County government and to cope with the problems of the emergency, you may be required to work during a proclaimed state of emergency, consistent with Sec. 323.14, Wis. Stats. and County emergency management plans and programs. 

Equal Opportunity Statement

Door County is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

Disclaimer

The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.