U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Peer Specialist
role at
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants
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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 $50,920.00/yr - $89,975.00/yr
Summary This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section. It is in Mental Health services at the Bedford VA Healthcare System – located at the Bedford location. It is full time – 40 hours per week.
Qualifications To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 12/30/2025. 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‑06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑05; for a GS‑07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑06; for a GS‑08 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑07; for a GS‑09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑08. 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 - 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
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
MINIMUM GRADE LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS – GS‑6, GS‑7, GS‑8, GS‑9 – require at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level in post‑personal mental health recovery, mentorship, advocacy, or equivalent roles
OR – EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION – requires specific graduate education or internship credits as outlined by grade level
Duties
The Peer Specialist functions as an interdisciplinary team member – assisting physicians and other professional/non‑professional personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program
Performs 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
Participates in 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 Veteran to share their experiences
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: Multiple schedules available and will be discussed during the interview process
Position Description/PD#: Peer Specialist/PD99319S – PD99320S – PD99321S – and PD99322S – 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.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Other
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Peer Specialist
role at
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
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 $50,920.00/yr - $89,975.00/yr
Summary This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section. It is in Mental Health services at the Bedford VA Healthcare System – located at the Bedford location. It is full time – 40 hours per week.
Qualifications To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 12/30/2025. 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‑06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑05; for a GS‑07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑06; for a GS‑08 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑07; for a GS‑09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑08. 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 - 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
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
MINIMUM GRADE LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS – GS‑6, GS‑7, GS‑8, GS‑9 – require at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level in post‑personal mental health recovery, mentorship, advocacy, or equivalent roles
OR – EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION – requires specific graduate education or internship credits as outlined by grade level
Duties
The Peer Specialist functions as an interdisciplinary team member – assisting physicians and other professional/non‑professional personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program
Performs 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
Participates in 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 Veteran to share their experiences
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: Multiple schedules available and will be discussed during the interview process
Position Description/PD#: Peer Specialist/PD99319S – PD99320S – PD99321S – and PD99322S – 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.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Other
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr