U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Peer Specialist
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, 80509
Join to apply for the
Peer Specialist
role at
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
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 $46,607.00/yr - $82,362.00/yr
Summary his Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section. The position serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective wellness and holistic - recovery-based services that aid Veterans in daily living. This position will support the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) and Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR) teams.
Qualifications
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.
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; (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.
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 to meet the requirements of this position.
Minimum Grade Level Qualifications: For each grade, candidates must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level involving 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.
Education Substitution: Six (6) months of graduate education or a 1‑year post‑bachelor's degree internship meets the requirements for GS‑6; one (1) full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS‑7; one and one/half (1.5) years of graduate education meets the requirements for GS‑8; two (2) full years of graduate education or a master's degree meets the requirements for GS‑9. Only education directly related to the work of the position is creditable.
Duties
Recruiting one peer support staff position to serve as part of two cohesive – multidisciplinary – teams in Colorado Springs (ICMHR and BHIP).
In the Mental Health Service Line (MHS) and under the supervision of the Local Recovery Coordinator – supporting Veterans experiencing serious mental illness with community‑based care in the Intensive Community MH Recovery (ICMHR) program and our general mental health or Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) program.
Serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective wellness and holistic – recovery‑based services that aid Veterans in daily living through community‑based services (e.g., community integration, defining recovery goals, developing wellness plans).
Driving is required as part of this community‑based position.
The Peer Specialist functions as an interdisciplinary team member – assisting clinical staff, nursing and other professional/non‑professional personnel in a recovery‑oriented 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, treatment courts, shelters, coffee shop, etc.
Duties include – but are 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 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.
Position requires operation of a motor vehicle or access to public transportation to perform assigned duties.
Assists Veterans to identify resources and solve transportation and other personal barriers so that they can independently address needs.
Subsequent background checks may be required if treating Veterans in an institutional setting. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Most have a current – valid state‑issued Driver's License required for this position.
Work Schedule: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Peer Specialist/PD99327S – PD99326S – PD99325S – and PD99323S. 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
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Peer Specialist
role at
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
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 $46,607.00/yr - $82,362.00/yr
Summary his Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section. The position serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective wellness and holistic - recovery-based services that aid Veterans in daily living. This position will support the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) and Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR) teams.
Qualifications
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.
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; (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.
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 to meet the requirements of this position.
Minimum Grade Level Qualifications: For each grade, candidates must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level involving 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.
Education Substitution: Six (6) months of graduate education or a 1‑year post‑bachelor's degree internship meets the requirements for GS‑6; one (1) full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS‑7; one and one/half (1.5) years of graduate education meets the requirements for GS‑8; two (2) full years of graduate education or a master's degree meets the requirements for GS‑9. Only education directly related to the work of the position is creditable.
Duties
Recruiting one peer support staff position to serve as part of two cohesive – multidisciplinary – teams in Colorado Springs (ICMHR and BHIP).
In the Mental Health Service Line (MHS) and under the supervision of the Local Recovery Coordinator – supporting Veterans experiencing serious mental illness with community‑based care in the Intensive Community MH Recovery (ICMHR) program and our general mental health or Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) program.
Serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective wellness and holistic – recovery‑based services that aid Veterans in daily living through community‑based services (e.g., community integration, defining recovery goals, developing wellness plans).
Driving is required as part of this community‑based position.
The Peer Specialist functions as an interdisciplinary team member – assisting clinical staff, nursing and other professional/non‑professional personnel in a recovery‑oriented 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, treatment courts, shelters, coffee shop, etc.
Duties include – but are 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 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.
Position requires operation of a motor vehicle or access to public transportation to perform assigned duties.
Assists Veterans to identify resources and solve transportation and other personal barriers so that they can independently address needs.
Subsequent background checks may be required if treating Veterans in an institutional setting. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Most have a current – valid state‑issued Driver's License required for this position.
Work Schedule: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Peer Specialist/PD99327S – PD99326S – PD99325S – and PD99323S. 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
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by 2x
Get notified about new Specialist jobs in
Colorado Springs, CO .
#J-18808-Ljbffr