Peer Specialist

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

About the role

The Peer Specialist functions as an interdisciplinary team member, assisting physicians and other professional/non-professional personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program. This position serves as a community-based peer specialist within the local VA facility catchment area. The working environment may include providing peer support services in places such as Veterans' homes, prisons, jails, treatment courts, shelters, tent encampments, and street outreach.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the service, training, consultation, and other professional activities of VA health care services and functions as a fully vested member of the multidisciplinary team.
• Uses personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools to coach Veterans in relevant skills needed for self-management of their health condition(s) and pursuit of their personal wellness.
• Observes behaviors that might indicate difficulty adapting or responding to treatment (e.g., missed assessment appointments, failure to attend or maintain abstinence, risk to self or others, disruptive behavior), completes appropriate documentation, and reports concerns to the treatment team in a timely manner.
• Uses ongoing individual and group meetings to teach Veterans how to identify and combat negative self-talk and overcome fears by providing a forum that allows Veterans to share their experiences.
• Handles crisis interventions for Veterans and addresses other emergent situations without the benefit of specific instructions as necessary.
• Informs Veterans about VA and community supports and resources, including how to effectively utilize them in the recovery and wellness process.
• Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in holistic approaches in wellness and recovery by reading books, journals, and other relevant materials.
• Requires operation of a motor vehicle or access to public transportation to perform assigned duties.
• Accompanies Veterans to appointments as needed, whether medical, housing, or other treatment plan goal appointments, either through agency vehicle or public transportation.
• Assists Veterans to identify resources and problem-solve how to overcome barriers so that the Veterans can independently address transportation and other personal needs.
• Subsequent background checks may be required if treating Veterans in an institutional setting.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement (07/31/2026).

• Statutory Requirements: Section 405 of Public Law 110-387, as codified in 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13), establishes that to be eligible to receive appointment to a Peer Specialist position, a person must:
  • Be a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition.
  • Be certified by:
    • A not-for-profit entity engaged in peer specialist training as having met criteria established by the Secretary for a peer specialist position, or
    • A State as having satisfied relevant State requirements for a peer specialist position.
• Length of Experience in Recovery: Must have at least 1 year of recovery from a mental health condition (mental illness and/or substance use disorder). Successful recovery is exemplified by:
  • Managing symptoms of illness and pursuing a healthy lifestyle.
  • Living independently.
  • Being employed or volunteering significant time approximating at least a part-time employment schedule.
  • Having meaningful relationships with family members and friends.
  • Being socially involved in the community through clubs, hobby groups, church, civic organizations, or Veteran organizations in which the individual provides a service to others.
• Veteran Definition: A person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Eligibility: Open to current, permanent employees of the VA, 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.
• Documentation: You MUST provide copies of your DD-214 and Peer Specialist Certification with your application package.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

Qualifications

In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet the following qualifications based on grade level:

• GS-6: At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level, which involved post-personal mental health recovery experience as a mentor providing counseling to support peers in mental health and/or addiction recovery, a recovery advocate directly involved with consumers of mental health services, a psychiatric therapy aide, or equivalent work involving in-person communication to support others in mental health recovery. Work is closely monitored, including having work checked in progress and reviewing completed work for accuracy, adequacy, and adherence to instructions or procedures.
• GS-7: At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level, involving similar duties as GS-6. Routine work is completed with minimal supervisory oversight and review; however, close supervision is provided for complex and unusual tasks.
• GS-8: At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level, involving similar duties as GS-7. Ability to work with general instructions for routine duties and detailed instructions/training for non-routine functions and special assignments. Non-routine/novel work is reviewed by spot-checking and after completion.
• GS-9: At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level, involving similar duties as GS-8. Work is performed with considerable independence, and you are responsible for making recommendations to the interdisciplinary treatment team that can be relied on for soundness of judgment and maturity of insight on problem situations.

Education Substitution: Transcripts are required with your application package.

• GS-6: Successful completion of six (6) months of graduate education or a 1-year post-bachelor's degree internship meets the requirements. Only education directly related to the work of the position is creditable.
• GS-7: Successful completion of one (1) full year of graduate education meets the requirements. Only education directly related to the work of the position is creditable.
• GS-8: Successful completion of one and one-half (1.5) years of graduate education meets the requirements. Only education directly related to the work of the position is creditable.
• GS-9: Successful completion of two (2) full years of graduate education or a master's degree meets the requirements. Only education directly related to the work of the position is creditable.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Promotion Potential

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.