Supervisory Peer Specialist

Summary

This Supervisory Peer Specialist position will supervise a team comprised of peer specialists and may supervise without compensation (WOC) peer support employees to provide services, integrate processes, and meet program goals. As the supervisor of a team of at least three or more peer support providers, the position ensures that peer support services are delivered to Veterans in an effective manner and coordinated with other treatment services as part of best health‑care practices.

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current federal employees who have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must satisfy time‑in‑grade requirements (for a GS‑11 position, 52 weeks at GS‑10). An SF‑50 showing time‑in‑grade eligibility must be submitted. If the most recent SF‑50 has an effective date within the past year, an additional SF‑50 demonstrating one‑year time‑in‑grade is required.

Time‑in‑grade requirements also apply to former federal employees applying for reinstatement and to those applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments.

• FOR PEER SPECIALISTS
• Statutory Requirements
  - Section 405 of Public Law 110‑387 (38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)) requires that a veteran recovering or recovering from a mental health condition be certified by a not‑for‑profit peer‑specialist training entity or a state that satisfies relevant state requirements.
• Length of Experience as a Consumer of Mental Health Recovery Services
  - Veterans must have spent a minimum of one year in personal recovery from a mental health condition.
• Veteran definition
  - An individual must have served in the active military/naval/air/space service and be discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Eligible personnel: current–permanent VA employees (including 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, 30% DAV, Employment Program for People with Disabilities, and CTAP/ICTAP.
• Required documentation - submit copies of DD‑214 and Peer Specialist Certification with application.
• English language proficiency - basic written and spoken English is required for direct patient‑care positions.
• Specialized Experience - at least one full year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS‑10) directly related to supervisory peer‑support duties. Experience includes paid and unpaid posts such as mentoring peers in mental health or addiction recovery, advocacy, and in‑person communication to support others’ recovery.
• Physical Requirements - primarily light and sedentary duties with occasional moderate physical demands. Ability to perform tasks such as sitting, walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, and occasional use of behavioral management techniques with veterans presenting danger to self or others.
• Work settings include medical centers, group or family homes, community‑based outpatient settings, community organizations, and transport vehicles.
• Reference – VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix F‑3 Peer Support Apprentice/Peer Specialist Qualification Standard (available from the local Human Resources Office).

• Supervise a veteran team of peer support providers meeting statutory requirements as outlined in the Qualifications section.
• Provide leadership, make difficult decisions, resolve operational and personnel problems, and represent peer support services at internal and external meetings.
• Manage peer support staff and team performance through quality reviews and in‑person observations.
• Deliver new employee orientation to accelerate integration and productivity.
• Train or provide training on systems, peer‑support practice techniques, new initiatives, ethics, privacy, and related topics.
• Coach and motivate staff to advocate for the Veterans they serve.
• Verify and approve CEU credits for staff and coordinate training and certification status.
• Approve leave, review, and sign timesheets.
• Ensure staff follow…