Peer Specialist

Summary

This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section.

To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 01/22/2026.

• Time‑In‑Grade Requirement:
  Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time‑in‑grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • For a GS‑06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑05.
  • For a GS‑07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑06.
  • For a GS‑08 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑07.
  • For a GS‑09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑08.
• Applicants must submit an SF‑50 that shows time‑in‑grade eligibility. If the most recent SF‑50 shows an effective date within the past year it may not demonstrate the required one‑year time‑in‑grade; an additional SF‑50 that clearly demonstrates one year is required.
• Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement and to current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments.

• FOR PEER SPECIALISTS a
• Statutory Requirements [Section 405 of Public Law 110‑387 – 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)]:
  • Be a veteran recovering from or recovering from a mental health condition.
  • Be certified either by a not‑for‑profit entity engaged in peer specialist training or a State that has satisfied relevant state requirements.
• Length of Experience in Recovery: at least 1 year of recovery from a mental health condition or substance use disorder.
• Successful recovery is exemplified by managing symptoms, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, living independently, being employed or volunteering, having meaningful relationships, and social involvement in community activities.
• IMPORTANT NOTICE:
  Veteran is defined as a person who served in active military/ naval/ air/ or space service and was discharged/released under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Restricted to VETERANS – see IMPORTANT NOTICE.
• Open to current permanent employees of the VA (e.g., T38, VCS employees on excepted appointments).
• Federal employees on a Career/Career‑Conditional appointment.
• Former competitive civil service employees eligible for reinstatement.
• Veterans eligible under VEOA, VRA, and 30% DAV.
• Those eligible under the Employment Program for People with Disabilities and those eligible for CTAP/ICTAP.
• Applicants must provide copies of DD‑214 and Peer Specialist Certification with their application package.
• English Language Proficiency requirement: basic written and spoken English proficiency is mandatory.
• Minimum Grade Level
  
  Qualifications:
  • GS‑6:
    At least one year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level involving post‑personal mental health recovery experience as a mentor, recovery advocate, psychiatric therapy aide, or equivalent.
  • GS‑7:
    Same specialized experience as GS‑6 with minimal supervisory oversight.
  • GS‑8:
    Same as GS‑6 with general instructions for routine duties.
  • GS‑9:
    Same as GS‑6 with responsibility for independent work and recommendations to interdisciplinary teams.
• Education substitution (if applicable, transcripts required):
  • GS‑6:
    Successful completion of 6 months graduate education or 1‑year post‑bachelor internship.
  • GS‑7:
    One year graduate education.
  • GS‑8:
    One and a half years graduate education.
  • GS‑9:
    Two years graduate education or a master’s degree.

• Functions as an interdisciplinary team member, assisting physicians and other personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program.
• Performs therapeutic and supportive tasks, including helping Veterans articulate recovery goals, monitor progress, model coping techniques, and advocate for effective services.
• Participates in service, training, and consultation activities of VA health care services.
• Uses personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools for self‑management.
• Observes behaviors indicating difficulty adapting to treatment, documents and reports concerns to the treatment team.
• Conducts individual and group meetings to teach…