Summary

The position leads a team comprised of Peer Specialists and may Lead Without Compensation (WOC) Peer Specialists - within a common supervisory structure - to provide services - integrate processes - and meet goals of peer support service programming at the facility. As the leader of a team of peer support providers - the position facilitates - coordinates - coaches - and problem solves with the members of the peer support provider team.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 07/10/2025. 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-10 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation - but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year - it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade - as required by the announcement. In this instance - you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

Basic Requirements:

• FOR PEER SPECIALISTS a
• Statutory Requirements
• Section 405 of Public Law 110-387 - as codified in 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13) - established that to be eligible to receive appointment to a Peer Specialist position - a person must: (1) be a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition
• and(2) be certified by -(a) a not-for-profit entity engaged in peer specialist training as having met such criteria as the Secretary shall establish for a peer specialist position
• or(b) a State as having satisfied relevant State requirements for a peer specialist position
• b
• 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 one who manages symptoms of illness and pursues a healthy lifestyle
• lives independently
• is employed or volunteers significant time approximating at least a part-time employment schedule
• has meaningful relationships with family members and friends
• and is socially involved in the community through clubs - hobby groups - church - civic organizations or Veteran organizations in which the individual provides a service to others
• IMPORTANT NOTICE: Veteran is defined as a person who served in the active military - naval - air - or space service - and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable
• Restricted to VETERANS - See IMPORTANT NOTICE
• Open to current - permanent employees of the VA (i.e
• T38 - T38 Hybrid - and VCS employees on excepted appts covered by an interchange agreement)
• Federal employees on a Career/Career-Conditional appt.
• 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
• NOTE: You MUST provide copies of your DD-214 and Peer Specialist Certification - 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 must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position
• SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to the basic requirements - You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal Service - that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Lead Peer Specialist
• Qualifying specialized experience includes post-personal mental health recovery experience as a mentor providing support to others in mental health and/or addiction recovery - a recovery advocate directly involved with consumers of mental health services - or equivalent work involving in-person communication to support others in mental health recovery
• At this level - work will have been 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 cases.You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Problem Solving Communication Teaches Others Leadership Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professional
• philanthropic
• religions
• spiritual
• community
• student
• 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 on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities
• Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment
• Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary
• Typically - the position sits to do the work
• However - there may be some walking - standing - bending - carrying of light items (such as books - papers) - accessing transportation - and/or driving a government vehicle
• The work requires patience and control of emotions
• The work may require occasional use of appropriate techniques with Veterans who present a danger to them self or others
• Reference: VA Regulations - specifically VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix F-3 Peer Support Apprentice/Peer Specialist Qualification Standard
• This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Duties

• Applies a comprehensive knowledge of holistic approaches to peer support interventions - including peer support counseling related to crisis situations - and extensive knowledge of various related maladies suffered by Veterans with behavioral or adjustment disorders
• Applies a comprehensive knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses (i.e. - auditory and visual hallucinations - aggressive talk and behavior - thoughts of self-harm or harm towards others - isolation) and the ability to assist the Veteran to address symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk and the ability to use good judgment
• Maintains extensive knowledge of current recovery literature - recovery and wellness resources and evidence-based practices pertaining to the position
• Practical knowledge of the recovery process and ability to facilitate recovery-focused conversations using common recovery tools
• Applies practical knowledge of Management and Prevention of Disruptive Behavior techniques
• Applies comprehensive knowledge of basic group dynamics and how to establish and sustain self-help (mutual support) and educational groups by soliciting input from Veterans on their strengths and interests
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 08:00am-04:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: This is not a telework position
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Lead Peer Specialist/S0014-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required