Peer Specialist

Peer Specialist – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements detailed below.

$50,087.00/yr – $88,510.00/yr

This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements. The role may require time-in-grade as defined for federal employees. Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 01/14/2026. Applicants who are current federal employees with a GS grade within the past 52 weeks must also meet time‑in‑grade requirements. For a GS‑9 position you must have served 52 weeks at GS‑8;

for GS‑8 at GS‑7; for GS‑7 at GS‑6; for GS‑6 at GS‑5. An SF‑50 showing your time‑in‑grade eligibility is required. If the most recent SF‑50 falls within the past year, an additional SF‑50 is required.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all statutory requirements by the closing date 01/14/2026. 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‑9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑8. For a GS‑8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑7. For a GS‑7 you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑6.

For a GS‑6 you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑5 level.

Note:

Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as to current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. All SF‑50 documents must be submitted with the application. If the current SF‑50 does not show the required 1‑year time‑in‑grade, a second SF‑50 is required.

• Statutory Requirements:
  Section 405 of Public Law 110‑387 (38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)) – a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition, and is certified by a not‑for‑profit entity or a state.
• Length of Experience in Recovery: at least 1 year of recovery from a mental health condition (mental illness and/or substance use disorder).
• Successful recovery includes managing symptoms, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, living independently, employment or volunteering part‑time, maintaining meaningful relationships, and community involvement (clubs, groups, civic or veteran organizations).
• Veteran definition: person who served in the active military, naval, air or space service and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Restricted to Veterans – see important 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 VEOA, VRA, and 30% DAV.
• Those eligible under the Employment Program for People with Disabilities.
• Those eligible for CTAP/ICTAP.
• Must provide copies of DD‑214 and Peer Specialist Certification with the application package.
• English Language Proficiency: proficiency in basic written and spoken English is required.
• Minimum Grade Level
  
  Qualifications:
  • GS‑6: at least one (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑5 post‑personal mental health recovery (mentor, recovery advocate, therapy aide, etc.).
  • GS‑7: at least one (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑6 with routine, minimal supervision (expertise in counseling and advocacy).
  • GS‑8: at least one (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑7 with independent work and detailed instructions.
  • GS‑9: at least one (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑8 with considerable independence and recommendation responsibilities.
• -OR- EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION (transcripts required):
  • GS‑6: 6 months graduate education or a 1‑year post‑bachelor internship.
  • GS‑7: 1 full year graduate education.
  • GS‑8: 1½ years graduate education.
  • GS‑9: 2 full years graduate education or a master’s degree.

• The Peer Specialist functions as an interdisciplinary team member…