Peer Specialist - Community Based

Veterans Health Administration • Sioux Falls, SD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Specialist serves as an interdisciplinary team member in a rehabilitation treatment program, using lived recovery experience to provide therapeutic and practical support to Veterans. The position helps Veterans develop and pursue recovery and personal wellness goals, learn and practice self-management skills, monitor progress, participate in treatment, and advocate for effective services. The Specialist shares coping techniques and self-help strategies grounded in personal recovery experience and informs Veterans about VA and community resources.

This is a community-based role within the local VA facility catchment area. Services may be provided in Veterans’ homes, prisons, jails, treatment courts, shelters, tent encampments, during street outreach, and in other community settings. The Specialist may accompany Veterans to medical, housing, or other treatment-plan appointments using an agency vehicle or public transportation, and helps them identify resources and resolve barriers to transportation and other personal needs. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the position is not virtual. A valid, unrestricted state driver’s license and safe driving record are required. The work is primarily sedentary but may involve walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, and accessing transportation. Work settings can be noisy, irregular, unpredictable, and stressful, and may involve occasional use of approved behavioral management techniques.

Applicants must be Veterans with at least one year of recovery from a mental health condition and must hold a qualifying peer specialist certification. The announcement provides GS-6 through GS-9 qualification paths based on specialized experience or directly related graduate education. A pre-employment physical and background/security investigation are required. The VA describes its care approach as a Whole Health System focused on personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connection to Veterans’ communities.

Requirements

• Must be a Veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition.
• Must have at least one year of recovery from a mental health condition, including mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
• Must be certified by a qualifying not-for-profit peer specialist training entity or by a state under applicable requirements.
• Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted state driver's license, have a safe driving record, and be medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely; must pass the agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination.
• GS-6 qualification: one year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level in peer mental health or addiction recovery support, or qualifying directly related graduate education or post-bachelor’s internship.
• GS-7 qualification: one year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level, or one full year of directly related graduate education.
• GS-8 qualification: one year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level, or one and one-half years of directly related graduate education.
• GS-9 qualification: one year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level, or two full years of directly related graduate education or a master’s degree.
• Submit copies of DD-214 and peer specialist certification with the application; submit transcripts if qualifying based on education.
• Current or former federal employees subject to time-in-grade requirements must document the required 52 weeks at the next lower grade for the grade sought.
• Must complete the required application steps and online assessment; a pre-employment physical and background/security investigation are required.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve the applicable one-year probationary period or two-year trial period.

Responsibilities

• Participate in VA health care service, training, consultation, and other professional activities as a fully vested member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Use personal recovery experience to model coping techniques and recovery tools, and coach Veterans in skills for managing health conditions and pursuing personal wellness.
• Observe behaviors that may indicate difficulty adapting to or responding to treatment; document observations and report concerns to the treatment team promptly.
• Use individual and group meetings to help Veterans identify and challenge negative self-talk, overcome fears, and share experiences.
• Handle crisis interventions and other emergent situations as needed, including situations without specific instructions.
• Inform Veterans about VA and community supports and resources and how to use them in recovery and wellness.
• Maintain knowledge of current trends and developments in holistic wellness and recovery approaches through relevant reading and materials.
• Accompany Veterans to medical, housing, and other treatment-plan appointments using an agency vehicle or public transportation as needed.
• Help Veterans identify resources and solve barriers so they can independently address transportation and other personal needs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; eligibility and specific benefits depend on position type and must be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• VA may grant approved credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; this is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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