Logo
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Peer Specialist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55400

Save Job

Join to apply for the Peer Specialist role at 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 $49,015.00/yr - $86,609.00/yr

Summary This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section. Candidate selected for this community-based position will provide services in the Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing Program.

Qualifications

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

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 ) 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

This position will serve as a community-based peer specialist within the local VA facility catchment area

The working environment may include providing peer support services in places such as Veterans' homes - prisons - jails - treatment courts - shelters - tent encampments - street outreach - etc

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 tolls 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

Position requires operation of a motor vehicle or access to public transportation to perform assigned duties

Accompanies Veterans to appointments as needed - whether medical - housing - or other treatment plan goal appointments - either through agency vehicle or public transportation

Assists Veterans to identify resources and problem solve how to overcome barriers so that the Veterans can independently address transportation and other personal needs

Subsequent background checks may be required if treating Veterans in an institutional setting Performs other related duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Full-Time - Monday to Friday - 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad Hoc telework only

Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Position Description/PD#: Peer Specialist/PD99324S - PD99325S - PD99326S - and PD99327S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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

Industries Government Administration

#J-18808-Ljbffr