Job Description

Job Location La Crosse, WI 54601 Position Type Part Time Salary Range $16.35 - $16.35 Hourly

Job Shift Day Job Category Behavior Services

ABOUT US

At Aptiv, we're all about making a difference. As a non-profit organization, we provide innovative services to support individuals with disabilities, empowering them to live more independent lives. Our mission is driven by a commitment to inclusion, resilience, self-determination, collaboration, and accountability.

We take pride in fostering an environment where individuals can thrive, achieve their goals, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. If you’re looking for a career you’ll love, keep reading!

THE ROLE

As a Peer Mentor, you’ll provide guidance, support, and inspiration to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), helping them live, work, and belong in their communities.

This is a unique opportunity for individuals with lived experience of disability to support others on their journey toward independence, self-confidence, and self-determination.

SCHEDULE AND COMPENSATION

• Hours: Part-time, based on your availability

• Work Environment: In-person and virtual meetings

• Training Required: Completion of a 15-hour Peer Mentor 101 training and a 90-hour internship (more info below)

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Peer Mentoring (70%)

• Build meaningful, trusting relationships with individuals you mentor

• Support individuals to identify personal goals and develop action plans

• Help people grow their support networks and connect with community resources

• Share your own experiences with independence, employment, and advocacy

• Attend and support Person-Centered Planning (PCP) meetings, when invited

• Log meeting details and progress using a computer (Medicaid-compliant documentation)

Ongoing Training & Networking (15%)

• Attend regular in-person or virtual trainings to grow your skills

• Participate in monthly and quarterly peer mentor meetings

• Join an annual in-person Peer Mentor retreat

• Present at trainings and conferences, as requested

• Support peer-led education on self-advocacy and rights

Agency Responsibilities (10%)

• Complete new employee orientation and all required state, county, and agency trainings

• Follow agency policies, procedures, and ethics guidelines

Educational Support (5%)

• Share information about the Peer Mentor role at meetings with staff, funders, and community partners

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Must be 18 years or older

• Must have a documented intellectual or developmental disability (IDD)

  (Note: Applicants with a primary mental health diagnosis are not eligible for this position)

• Willing to share personal life experiences to inspire and guide others

• Experience using disability-related supports or services

• Ability to understand and explain individual rights

• Must complete the Peer Mentor 101 Training (15 hours) and 90-hour internship before official hiring

• Comfortable using phone, email, and virtual meeting platforms

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

• In-person and virtual availability required

Preferred

Experience:

• Has lived independently (with or without support, not in a family home)

• Has held a job in the community

• Actively involved in local community life

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong listening and problem-solving skills

• Comfortable speaking about personal experiences

• Knowledge of local community resources and services

• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships

• Positive, encouraging, and respectful attitude

• Commitment to helping others grow in self-determination and confidence

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

At Aptiv, we believe in doing it better, together. Our team is built on collaboration, innovation, and a shared mission to make a positive impact. We’re committed to supporting your growth and well-being through:

• Meaningful Work: Share your lived experience to empower others

• Inclusive Culture: Be part of a team that values your voice

• Professional Growth: Access training and support to build your skills

• Flexible Scheduling: Work at times and places that suit your needs

• Team Support: Connect with other Peer Mentors in a strong community

Qualifications

Peer Mentors support people with developmental disabilities to live, work and belong in their communities.

Peer Mentors help people to:

• Be independent
• Learn problem-solving and self-advocacy skills
• Build self-esteem and self-confidence
• Set goals and make action plans
• Prepare for their Person-Centered Planning (PCP) meetings and provide support at the meeting, if asked
• Connect to resources for public benefits, health and wellness, housing, employment, transportation, training and education, advocacy, and recreation

Peer Mentors are expected to:

• Share their personal life experiences about reaching goals
• Share how they used services and supports to reach their goals
• Share how they became more self-directed and self-empowered
• Build positive, trusting relationships
• Make a safe, understanding space for people to talk about their problems and challenges

Qualifications and Requirements

• 18 years old
• Have an intellectual/developmental disability (IDD)
• Willingness to share personal experiences to guide and support others
• Experience receiving disability-related supports and services
• Understand and explain individual rights
• Obtain certification as a Peer Mentor by attending Peer Mentor 101 training and successfully complete a 90-hour internship
• Ability to work in-person and virtually
• Ability to use phone, email, computer, and virtual technology
• Preferred experience:
• lives or has lived independently (with or without support, not in your family home)
• has or has had a job in the community, and
• is actively involved in your community.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Ability to be excited, honest, and upbeat with people
• Ability to listen closely and work to find solutions to problems
• Ability to support people to develop Self-Determination skills
• Ability to find services and resources
• Knowledge about local agencies
• Ability to develop relationships with agencies

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duty 1 Peer Mentoring (70% of their work time)

• Create good relationships with people they mentor
• Get to know the people’s hopes and dreams
• Develop a list of goals and action steps with people.
• Assist people in building their circle of support
• Assist people to connect with community resources to meet their goals
• Serve as an advocate with family members and friends to assist the people in having self-direction
• Participate in the person-centered planning process, when invited
• Spend time with people support them to reach their goals
• Medicaid reporting: log the date of your meetings, the length of time of your meetings, what you talked about, if it was in-person or virtual meeting, next steps with the action plan. This reporting may be done using a computer.

Duty 2 Ongoing Peer Mentor Training and Networking (15% of their work time)

• Attend trainings in person or virtually to improve skills with mentoring, person-centered planning, independent facilitation, self-determination, community inclusion, employment, health and wellness, independent living, and transportation.
• Stay involved with the Peer Mentor group through monthly and quarterly virtual meetings and other scheduled meetings.
• Attend an in-person Peer Mentor retreat once a year
• Present about Peer Mentoring and self-determination at conferences, trainings and other events, when asked.
• Provide group peer education on self-advocacy, self-determination, and rights.

Agency Requirements (10% of their work time)

• Attend agency new employee orientation and training.
• Complete all State, County, and agency training requirements.
• Follow all agency policies and procedures, including code of conduct and ethics.

Educational Support (5% of their time)

• Share information at meetings for people, staff, and funders about the role of a Peer Mentor and Peer Mentor services