U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Peer Specialist – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements detailed below.
Pay Range (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) $50,087.00/yr – $88,510.00/yr
Summary This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements. The role may require time-in-grade as defined for federal employees. Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 01/14/2026. Applicants who are current federal employees with a GS grade within the past 52 weeks must also meet time‑in‑grade requirements. For a GS‑9 position you must have served 52 weeks at GS‑8; for GS‑8 at GS‑7; for GS‑7 at GS‑6; for GS‑6 at GS‑5. An SF‑50 showing your time‑in‑grade eligibility is required. If the most recent SF‑50 falls within the past year, an additional SF‑50 is required.
Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all statutory requirements by the closing date 01/14/2026. 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‑9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑8. For a GS‑8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑7. For a GS‑7 you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑6. For a GS‑6 you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑5 level. Note: Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as to current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. All SF‑50 documents must be submitted with the application. If the current SF‑50 does not show the required 1‑year time‑in‑grade, a second SF‑50 is required.
Basic Requirements
Statutory Requirements: Section 405 of Public Law 110‑387 (38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)) – a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition, and is certified by a not‑for‑profit entity or a state.
Length of Experience in Recovery: at least 1 year of recovery from a mental health condition (mental illness and/or substance use disorder).
Successful recovery includes managing symptoms, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, living independently, employment or volunteering part‑time, maintaining meaningful relationships, and community involvement (clubs, groups, civic or veteran organizations).
Veteran definition: person who served in the active military, naval, air or space service and 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, 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.
Those eligible for CTAP/ICTAP.
Must provide copies of DD‑214 and Peer Specialist Certification with the application package.
English Language Proficiency: proficiency in basic written and spoken English is required.
Minimum Grade Level Qualifications:
GS‑6: at least one (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑5 post‑personal mental health recovery (mentor, recovery advocate, therapy aide, etc.).
GS‑7: at least one (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑6 with routine, minimal supervision (expertise in counseling and advocacy).
GS‑8: at least one (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑7 with independent work and detailed instructions.
GS‑9: at least one (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑8 with considerable independence and recommendation responsibilities.
-OR- EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION (transcripts required):
GS‑6: 6 months graduate education or a 1‑year post‑bachelor internship.
GS‑7: 1 full year graduate education.
GS‑8: 1½ years graduate education.
GS‑9: 2 full years graduate education or a master’s degree.
Duties
The Peer Specialist functions as an interdisciplinary team member assisting physicians and other personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program.
Peer specialists perform a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks that include helping Veterans articulate recovery goals, practice new skills, monitor progress, model coping techniques, and advocate for effective services.
Serves as a community‑based peer specialist within the local VA facility catchment area.
Provides peer support services in Veterans’ homes, prisons, jails, treatment courts, shelters, tent encampments, street outreach, etc.
Duties include, but are not limited to, participating in service‑training‑consultation and other professional activities of VA health care services as a fully vested member of the multidisciplinary team.
Uses personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools for Veteran self‑management and wellness.
Observes behaviors indicating difficulty adapting or responding to treatment, completes appropriate documentation, and reports concerns to the treatment team timely.
Uses ongoing individual and group meetings to teach Veterans how to identify and combat negative self‑talk and overcome fears.
Handles crisis interventions for Veterans and addresses emergent situations without specific instructions as needed.
Informs Veterans about VA and community supports and resources for effective utilization.
Maintains a working knowledge of current trends in holistic approaches to wellness and recovery by reading books, journals, and relevant materials.
Position requires operation of a motor vehicle or access to public transportation to perform assigned duties.
Accompanies Veterans to medical, housing, or other treatment appointments using agency vehicle or public transportation.
Assists Veterans in identifying resources and problem‑solving to overcome transportation barriers.
Subsequent background checks may be required for Veterans in institutional settings and for other related duties.
Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Telework: ad hoc only at the discretion of the supervisor. Virtual: not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Peer Specialist/PD99508S. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Promotion Potential: Multi‑grade career ladder. The selectee may be promoted to 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
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Pay Range (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) $50,087.00/yr – $88,510.00/yr
Summary This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements. The role may require time-in-grade as defined for federal employees. Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 01/14/2026. Applicants who are current federal employees with a GS grade within the past 52 weeks must also meet time‑in‑grade requirements. For a GS‑9 position you must have served 52 weeks at GS‑8; for GS‑8 at GS‑7; for GS‑7 at GS‑6; for GS‑6 at GS‑5. An SF‑50 showing your time‑in‑grade eligibility is required. If the most recent SF‑50 falls within the past year, an additional SF‑50 is required.
Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all statutory requirements by the closing date 01/14/2026. 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‑9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑8. For a GS‑8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑7. For a GS‑7 you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑6. For a GS‑6 you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑5 level. Note: Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as to current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. All SF‑50 documents must be submitted with the application. If the current SF‑50 does not show the required 1‑year time‑in‑grade, a second SF‑50 is required.
Basic Requirements
Statutory Requirements: Section 405 of Public Law 110‑387 (38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)) – a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition, and is certified by a not‑for‑profit entity or a state.
Length of Experience in Recovery: at least 1 year of recovery from a mental health condition (mental illness and/or substance use disorder).
Successful recovery includes managing symptoms, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, living independently, employment or volunteering part‑time, maintaining meaningful relationships, and community involvement (clubs, groups, civic or veteran organizations).
Veteran definition: person who served in the active military, naval, air or space service and 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, 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.
Those eligible for CTAP/ICTAP.
Must provide copies of DD‑214 and Peer Specialist Certification with the application package.
English Language Proficiency: proficiency in basic written and spoken English is required.
Minimum Grade Level Qualifications:
GS‑6: at least one (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑5 post‑personal mental health recovery (mentor, recovery advocate, therapy aide, etc.).
GS‑7: at least one (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑6 with routine, minimal supervision (expertise in counseling and advocacy).
GS‑8: at least one (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑7 with independent work and detailed instructions.
GS‑9: at least one (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑8 with considerable independence and recommendation responsibilities.
-OR- EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION (transcripts required):
GS‑6: 6 months graduate education or a 1‑year post‑bachelor internship.
GS‑7: 1 full year graduate education.
GS‑8: 1½ years graduate education.
GS‑9: 2 full years graduate education or a master’s degree.
Duties
The Peer Specialist functions as an interdisciplinary team member assisting physicians and other personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program.
Peer specialists perform a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks that include helping Veterans articulate recovery goals, practice new skills, monitor progress, model coping techniques, and advocate for effective services.
Serves as a community‑based peer specialist within the local VA facility catchment area.
Provides peer support services in Veterans’ homes, prisons, jails, treatment courts, shelters, tent encampments, street outreach, etc.
Duties include, but are not limited to, participating in service‑training‑consultation and other professional activities of VA health care services as a fully vested member of the multidisciplinary team.
Uses personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools for Veteran self‑management and wellness.
Observes behaviors indicating difficulty adapting or responding to treatment, completes appropriate documentation, and reports concerns to the treatment team timely.
Uses ongoing individual and group meetings to teach Veterans how to identify and combat negative self‑talk and overcome fears.
Handles crisis interventions for Veterans and addresses emergent situations without specific instructions as needed.
Informs Veterans about VA and community supports and resources for effective utilization.
Maintains a working knowledge of current trends in holistic approaches to wellness and recovery by reading books, journals, and relevant materials.
Position requires operation of a motor vehicle or access to public transportation to perform assigned duties.
Accompanies Veterans to medical, housing, or other treatment appointments using agency vehicle or public transportation.
Assists Veterans in identifying resources and problem‑solving to overcome transportation barriers.
Subsequent background checks may be required for Veterans in institutional settings and for other related duties.
Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Telework: ad hoc only at the discretion of the supervisor. Virtual: not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Peer Specialist/PD99508S. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Promotion Potential: Multi‑grade career ladder. The selectee may be promoted to 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
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