U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Peer Support Apprentice (Not To Exceed 1 Year)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, 80509
Peer Support Apprentice (Not To Exceed 1 Year)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Pay Range U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range: $41,811.00/yr – $54,355.00/yr. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience.
Summary This Peer Support Apprentice position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section. Recruiting one peer support staff position to serve as a member of both the intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR) team and the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) in Colorado Springs. This position is in the Mental Health Service Line (MHS) and under the supervision of the Local Recovery Coordinator.
Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 01/09/2026.
Basic Requirements
FOR PEER SUPPORT APPRENTICES – GS‑102‑5: A Veteran must have spent a minimum of 1 year in recovery from a mental health condition (mental illness and/or substance use disorder).
Peer Support Apprentices must actively pursue becoming certified as required to serve as a Peer Specialist by 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)(B).
At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide written requirements for becoming certified, the date by which certification must be obtained, and the consequences for not meeting that deadline.
Failure to become certified by the prescribed date will result in removal from this GS‑102 occupation and may result in termination of employment.
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 (e.g., 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 VRA – and 30% DAV.
Those eligible under the Employment Program for People with Disabilities.
And those eligible for CTAP/ICTAP.
Length of Experience in Recovery: Successful recovery is exemplified by a person who manages symptoms of illness and pursues a healthy lifestyle, lives independently, is employed or volunteers significant time approximating at least a part‑time schedule, has meaningful relationships, and is socially involved in the community.
NOTE: You MUST provide copies of your DD‑214 with your application package.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: Proficient in basic written and spoken English is required.
Competencies assessed: Problem Solving, Communication, Teaching Others.
Experience may include paid or unpaid work in National Service programs or other organizations.
Physical Requirements: Primarily light and sedentary duties with occasional moderate physical demands; reasonable accommodation may be provided.
Work is primarily sedentary; may involve walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, and occasionally using approved behavioral‑management techniques with Veterans presenting a danger to self or others.
Work may occur in various settings, including medical centers, group or family homes, community outpatient settings, and transport vehicles.
Reference: Further qualification standards can be found at https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Duties
Time‑limited position: Provide the apprentice time to learn and develop the skills required to perform as a peer specialist and earn certification.
Upon successful completion of a State or VA‑approved certification training and the necessary experience, the position may be eligible for a permanent peer specialist role.
Assist in the intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR) program and the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) in Colorado Springs.
Serve as a recovery agent, providing and advocating for effective wellness and holistic, recovery‑based services that aid Veterans in daily living.
Assist Veterans in articulating their recovery goals, learning new skills, monitoring progress, and modeling coping techniques.
Act as a role model, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and applying coping skills.
Support others in treatment based on principles of recovery, wellness, and resiliency; promote self‑determination and empowerment.
Perform therapeutic and supportive tasks under close supervision of a licensed independent provider or a non‑licensed provider under a LIP.
Attend training, consultation, and professional activities as a fully vested member of the multidisciplinary team.
Use personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools, coaching Veterans on self‑management.
Observe behaviors indicating difficulty with treatment, complete documentation, and report concerns to the treatment team in a timely manner.
Conduct individual and group meetings to teach Veterans skills to identify and combat negative self‑talk.
Handle crisis interventions and address emergent situations with supervision.
Maintain knowledge of current trends in holistic approaches to wellness and recovery.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Drive a motor vehicle as required; a current valid state‑issued driver’s license is required.
Work schedule: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Seniority Level Internship
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Other – Government Administration
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by 2x.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Pay Range U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range: $41,811.00/yr – $54,355.00/yr. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience.
Summary This Peer Support Apprentice position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section. Recruiting one peer support staff position to serve as a member of both the intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR) team and the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) in Colorado Springs. This position is in the Mental Health Service Line (MHS) and under the supervision of the Local Recovery Coordinator.
Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 01/09/2026.
Basic Requirements
FOR PEER SUPPORT APPRENTICES – GS‑102‑5: A Veteran must have spent a minimum of 1 year in recovery from a mental health condition (mental illness and/or substance use disorder).
Peer Support Apprentices must actively pursue becoming certified as required to serve as a Peer Specialist by 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)(B).
At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide written requirements for becoming certified, the date by which certification must be obtained, and the consequences for not meeting that deadline.
Failure to become certified by the prescribed date will result in removal from this GS‑102 occupation and may result in termination of employment.
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 (e.g., 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 VRA – and 30% DAV.
Those eligible under the Employment Program for People with Disabilities.
And those eligible for CTAP/ICTAP.
Length of Experience in Recovery: Successful recovery is exemplified by a person who manages symptoms of illness and pursues a healthy lifestyle, lives independently, is employed or volunteers significant time approximating at least a part‑time schedule, has meaningful relationships, and is socially involved in the community.
NOTE: You MUST provide copies of your DD‑214 with your application package.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: Proficient in basic written and spoken English is required.
Competencies assessed: Problem Solving, Communication, Teaching Others.
Experience may include paid or unpaid work in National Service programs or other organizations.
Physical Requirements: Primarily light and sedentary duties with occasional moderate physical demands; reasonable accommodation may be provided.
Work is primarily sedentary; may involve walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, and occasionally using approved behavioral‑management techniques with Veterans presenting a danger to self or others.
Work may occur in various settings, including medical centers, group or family homes, community outpatient settings, and transport vehicles.
Reference: Further qualification standards can be found at https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Duties
Time‑limited position: Provide the apprentice time to learn and develop the skills required to perform as a peer specialist and earn certification.
Upon successful completion of a State or VA‑approved certification training and the necessary experience, the position may be eligible for a permanent peer specialist role.
Assist in the intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR) program and the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) in Colorado Springs.
Serve as a recovery agent, providing and advocating for effective wellness and holistic, recovery‑based services that aid Veterans in daily living.
Assist Veterans in articulating their recovery goals, learning new skills, monitoring progress, and modeling coping techniques.
Act as a role model, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and applying coping skills.
Support others in treatment based on principles of recovery, wellness, and resiliency; promote self‑determination and empowerment.
Perform therapeutic and supportive tasks under close supervision of a licensed independent provider or a non‑licensed provider under a LIP.
Attend training, consultation, and professional activities as a fully vested member of the multidisciplinary team.
Use personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools, coaching Veterans on self‑management.
Observe behaviors indicating difficulty with treatment, complete documentation, and report concerns to the treatment team in a timely manner.
Conduct individual and group meetings to teach Veterans skills to identify and combat negative self‑talk.
Handle crisis interventions and address emergent situations with supervision.
Maintain knowledge of current trends in holistic approaches to wellness and recovery.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Drive a motor vehicle as required; a current valid state‑issued driver’s license is required.
Work schedule: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Seniority Level Internship
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Other – Government Administration
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by 2x.
#J-18808-Ljbffr