U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
PEER SPECIALIST
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
PEER SPECIALIST – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range
This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $52,938.00/yr - $93,549.00/yr
Summary Program is looking to recruit and to fill one vacancy at our Sepulveda – California location. Note: This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section.
Qualifications To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 01/12/2026. 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 within 30 days of closing date of this announcement. For a GS‑6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑5. For a GS‑7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑6. For a GS‑8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑7. For a GS‑9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑8. 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 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
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
MINIMUM GRADE LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS GS‑6: In addition to the basic requirements – candidates must have 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
Your work has been closely monitored including having work checked in progress and reviewing completed work for accuracy – adequacy – and adherence to instructions or procedures
GS‑7: In addition to the basic requirements – candidates must have 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
At this level – routine work has been completed with minimal supervisory oversight and review – however close supervision will have been provided for complex and unusual tasks
GS‑8: In addition to the basic requirements – candidates must have 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
At this level you have the ability to work with general instructions for the performance of routine duties and detailed instructions and/or training in performance of the non‑routine functions and special assignments
Non‑routine/novel work will have been reviewed by spot checking and after completion to evaluate the adequacy of methods – procedures – results – ability to solve new and changing problems – etc
GS‑9: In addition to the basic requirements – candidates must have 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
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 situations
-OR‑EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: (Transcripts are required with your application package) GS‑6: Successful completion Six (6) months of graduate education or a 1‑year post‑bachelor's degree internship meets the requirements for GS‑6. Only education that is directly related to the work of the position is creditable
GS‑7: Successful completion One (1) full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS‑7. Only education that is directly related to the work of the position is creditable
GS‑8: Successful completion One and one‑half (1.5) years of graduate education meets the requirements for GS‑8. Only education that is directly related to the work of the position is creditable
GS‑9: Successful completion Two (2) full years of graduate education or a master's degree meets the requirements for GS‑9. Only education that is directly related to the work of the position is creditable.
Duties
The Peer Specialist functions as an interdisciplinary team member – assisting physicians and other professional/non‑professional personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program
Peer specialists perform a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks that include assisting Veterans in articulating their goals for recovery and personal wellness – learning – and practicing new skills – helping them monitor their progress – assisting them in their treatment – modeling effective coping techniques and self‑help strategies based on the peer specialist's own recovery experience – and supporting them in advocating for themselves to obtain effective services
Duties include – but not limited to the following: 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 to relevant skills need 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 Veteran to share their experiences
As necessary – handles crisis interventions for Veterans and addresses other emergent situations without the benefit of specific instructions
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
Performs other related duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday – 8:00am‑4:30pm – Compressed/Flexible: Not Available – Telework: Yes on an Ad‑Hoc Basis per VAMC guidelines after the first 90 days of employment – Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Position Description/PD#: PEER SPECIALIST/PD99319‑s – PD99320‑s – PD99321‑s – and PD99322‑s – Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available – Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available – 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 – GS‑09.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Other
Industries
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Base pay range $52,938.00/yr - $93,549.00/yr
Summary Program is looking to recruit and to fill one vacancy at our Sepulveda – California location. Note: This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section.
Qualifications To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 01/12/2026. 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 within 30 days of closing date of this announcement. For a GS‑6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑5. For a GS‑7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑6. For a GS‑8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑7. For a GS‑9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑8. 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 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
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
MINIMUM GRADE LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS GS‑6: In addition to the basic requirements – candidates must have 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
Your work has been closely monitored including having work checked in progress and reviewing completed work for accuracy – adequacy – and adherence to instructions or procedures
GS‑7: In addition to the basic requirements – candidates must have 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
At this level – routine work has been completed with minimal supervisory oversight and review – however close supervision will have been provided for complex and unusual tasks
GS‑8: In addition to the basic requirements – candidates must have 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
At this level you have the ability to work with general instructions for the performance of routine duties and detailed instructions and/or training in performance of the non‑routine functions and special assignments
Non‑routine/novel work will have been reviewed by spot checking and after completion to evaluate the adequacy of methods – procedures – results – ability to solve new and changing problems – etc
GS‑9: In addition to the basic requirements – candidates must have 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
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 situations
-OR‑EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: (Transcripts are required with your application package) GS‑6: Successful completion Six (6) months of graduate education or a 1‑year post‑bachelor's degree internship meets the requirements for GS‑6. Only education that is directly related to the work of the position is creditable
GS‑7: Successful completion One (1) full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS‑7. Only education that is directly related to the work of the position is creditable
GS‑8: Successful completion One and one‑half (1.5) years of graduate education meets the requirements for GS‑8. Only education that is directly related to the work of the position is creditable
GS‑9: Successful completion Two (2) full years of graduate education or a master's degree meets the requirements for GS‑9. Only education that is directly related to the work of the position is creditable.
Duties
The Peer Specialist functions as an interdisciplinary team member – assisting physicians and other professional/non‑professional personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program
Peer specialists perform a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks that include assisting Veterans in articulating their goals for recovery and personal wellness – learning – and practicing new skills – helping them monitor their progress – assisting them in their treatment – modeling effective coping techniques and self‑help strategies based on the peer specialist's own recovery experience – and supporting them in advocating for themselves to obtain effective services
Duties include – but not limited to the following: 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 to relevant skills need 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 Veteran to share their experiences
As necessary – handles crisis interventions for Veterans and addresses other emergent situations without the benefit of specific instructions
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
Performs other related duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday – 8:00am‑4:30pm – Compressed/Flexible: Not Available – Telework: Yes on an Ad‑Hoc Basis per VAMC guidelines after the first 90 days of employment – Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Position Description/PD#: PEER SPECIALIST/PD99319‑s – PD99320‑s – PD99321‑s – and PD99322‑s – Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available – Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available – 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 – GS‑09.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Other
Industries
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr