Peer Support Apprentice - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Substance Use Disorder

Summary

This Peer Support Apprentice - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Substance Use Disorder (BHIP SUD) position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements detailed in the qualifications section. The position may be filled as either a Peer Support Apprentice or a Peer Specialist.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 03/02/2026.

• FOR PEER SUPPORT APPRENTICES – GS‑102‑5: A Veteran must have spent a minimum of 1 year in recovery from a mental health condition (mental illness and/or substance use disorder).
• Peer Support Apprentices must actively pursue becoming certified as required to serve as a Peer Specialist by 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)(B).
• At the time of appointment the supervisor will provide written requirements for certification, the deadline, and consequences for non‑compliance.
• Failure to become certified by the prescribed date will result in removal from this GS‑102 occupation and may result in termination of employment.
• IMPORTANT NOTICE:
  Veterans are persons who served in the active military‑naval‑air‑or‑space service and were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Restricted to VETERANS; see NOTICE.
• Open to current permanent employees of the VA (e.g., T38, T38 Hybrid, VCS employees on excepted appointments covered by an interchange agreement).
• Federal employees on a Career/Career‑Conditional appointment.
• Former competitive civil service employees eligible for reinstatement.
• Veterans eligible under VRA and 30 % DAV.
• Those eligible under the Employment Program for People with Disabilities.
• Those eligible for CTAP/ICTAP.
• Length of experience in recovery: successful recovery is exemplified by one who manages symptoms of illness, pursues a healthy lifestyle, lives independently, is employed or volunteers significant time approximating at least a part‑time schedule, has meaningful relationships with family and friends, and is socially involved in the community through clubs, hobby groups, churches, civic or Veteran organizations where they provide service to others.
• NOTE:
  
  You MUST provide copies of your DD‑214 with your application package.
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY:
  In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient‑care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• You will be rated on the following competencies: problem solving, communication, teaching others, and experience (paid and unpaid, including volunteer work such as Peace Corps, Ameri Corps, professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, and social).
• Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
• You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
• Note:
  
  A full year of work is considered to be 35‑40 hours of work per week; part‑time experience will be credited based on time actually spent in appropriate activities.
• Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours per week spent in such employment.
• Physical requirements:
  
  The applicant must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, control emotions, and accommodate reasonable needs without endangering health and safety.
• The work is primarily sedentary: typically the employee sits; some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items (e.g., books, papers), and accessing transportation may occur.
• The work may require occasional use of Department of Veterans Affairs‑approved behavioral management techniques with Veterans who present a danger to self or others.
• Veterans demonstrate varying levels of wellness, recovery, and symptoms.
• This position must be flexible and accept that work areas are often noisy, irregular, unpredictable, and stressful.
• Work is performed in a wide range of settings – including the Medical Center,…