Peer Specialist (Woman Specific-Facility Based)

Veterans Health Administration • Grand Junction, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Specialist serves as an interdisciplinary team member in a rehabilitation treatment program, assisting physicians and other professional and nonprofessional personnel. The role uses personal recovery experience to help Veterans articulate recovery and personal wellness goals, learn and practice skills, monitor progress, participate in treatment, use coping techniques and self-help strategies, and advocate for effective services. This recruitment is restricted to women Veterans under the VA MISSION Act of 2018 and Public Law 115-271. The position is facility-based and is not virtual. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a multi-grade career ladder position, with promotion to the full performance level possible without further competition when regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. The position may be filled at GS-6 through GS-9. Applicants must meet the statutory requirements for peer specialists, including Veteran status, at least one year of recovery from a mental health condition, and a current, unrestricted peer specialist certification. The role requires proficiency in basic written and spoken English. Work is primarily light and sedentary, with occasional moderate physical demands. Work may take place in a medical center, group or family homes, community-based outpatient settings, community organizations, or transport vehicles. Work areas may be noisy, irregular, unpredictable, and stressful.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be a woman Veteran; this recruitment is restricted to women Veterans.
• Must have a full, current, and unrestricted peer specialist certification from an eligible not-for-profit training entity or state.
• Must be a Veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition and have at least one year of recovery.
• Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• For GS-6 through GS-9, must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level, or meet the applicable graduate education substitution requirement: six months of graduate education or a one-year post-bachelor's internship for GS-6; one full year of graduate education for GS-7; one and one-half years of graduate education for GS-8; or two full years of graduate education or a master's degree for GS-9. Education must be directly related to the work.
• Current or former federal employees who are subject to time-in-grade requirements must meet the applicable 52-week requirement and submit supporting SF-50 documentation.
• Must complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding and provide acceptable identification.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs health care personnel employee.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasional moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering health or safety.
• Must provide a DD-214 and peer specialist certification with the application; transcripts are required when education is used to qualify.
• For candidates claiming qualifying experience, specialized experience involves post-personal-recovery work supporting peers in mental health or addiction recovery, such as mentoring, recovery advocacy, psychiatric therapy aide work, or equivalent in-person support.

Responsibilities

• Participate in VA health care services, training, consultation, and other professional activities as a full member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Use personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools and coach Veterans in skills for self-management and personal wellness.
• Observe behaviors that may indicate difficulty adapting or responding to treatment; document observations and report concerns to the treatment team in a timely manner.
• Conduct individual and group meetings to help Veterans identify and combat negative self-talk, overcome fears, and share experiences.
• Handle crisis interventions and other emergent situations as necessary, including situations without specific instructions.
• Inform Veterans about VA and community supports and resources and how to use them in the recovery and wellness process.
• Maintain knowledge of current developments in holistic approaches to wellness and recovery through relevant reading and materials.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Newly appointed federal employees may request credit for qualifying job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed