Peer Specialist

Peer Specialist

Join the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a Peer Specialist. This role may only be filled by a Veteran who meets statutory requirements detailed in the qualifications section.

• Assist physicians and other professional personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program.
• Use personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools for Veterans.
• Observe behaviors that might indicate difficulty adapting or responding to treatment and report concerns to the treatment team in a timely manner.
• Teach Veterans how to identify and combat negative self‑talk and overcome fears through individual and group meetings.
• Handle crisis interventions for Veterans and address other emergent situations without specific instructions.
• Inform Veterans about VA and community supports and resources for effective recovery and wellness.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in holistic approaches in wellness and recovery by reading relevant materials.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Work schedule:
  
  7:30am - 4:00pm.

• Statutory requirements: must be a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition; must be certified by a not‑for‑profit entity or a state as established by the Secretary.
• Length of experience in recovery: at least one year of recovery from a mental health condition (mental illness and/or substance use disorder); must manage symptoms, pursue a healthy lifestyle, live independently, be employed or volunteer significant time, have meaningful relationships, and be socially involved in the community.
• Restricted to veterans (see Important Notice).
• Open to current permanent employees of the VA and federal employees on an eligible appointment.
• Minimum grade level qualifications: at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level (GS‑8) or equivalent educational experience (two full years of graduate education or a master’s degree).
• English language proficiency: basic written and spoken English proficiency is required.
• Required documentation: DD‑214 and Peer Specialist certification; SF‑50 for time‑in‑grade if applicable.
• Additional qualifications:
  
  Veterans eligible under VEOA, VRA, and 30% DAV; eligibility under the Employment Program for People with Disabilities; eligibility for CTAP/ICTAP.