U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Peer Specialist
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Battle Creek, Michigan, United States, 49014
Summary
This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section.
Qualifications To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 01/22/2026.
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‑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.
Applicants must submit an SF‑50 that shows time‑in‑grade eligibility. If the most recent SF‑50 shows an effective date within the past year it may not demonstrate the required one‑year time‑in‑grade; an additional SF‑50 that clearly demonstrates one year is required.
Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement and to current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments.
Basic Requirements
FOR PEER SPECIALISTS a
Statutory Requirements [Section 405 of Public Law 110‑387 – 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)]:
Be a veteran recovering from or recovering from a mental health condition.
Be certified either by a not‑for‑profit entity engaged in peer specialist training or a State that has satisfied relevant state requirements.
Length of Experience in Recovery: at least 1 year of recovery from a mental health condition or substance use disorder.
Successful recovery is exemplified by managing symptoms, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, living independently, being employed or volunteering, having meaningful relationships, and social involvement in community activities.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Veteran is defined as a person who served in active military/ naval/ air/ or space service and was discharged/released under conditions other than dishonorable.
Restricted to VETERANS – see IMPORTANT NOTICE.
Open to current permanent employees of the VA (e.g., T38, VCS employees on excepted appointments).
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.
Applicants must provide copies of DD‑214 and Peer Specialist Certification with their application package.
English Language Proficiency requirement: basic written and spoken English proficiency is mandatory.
Minimum Grade Level Qualifications:
GS‑6: At least one year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level involving post‑personal mental health recovery experience as a mentor, recovery advocate, psychiatric therapy aide, or equivalent.
GS‑7: Same specialized experience as GS‑6 with minimal supervisory oversight.
GS‑8: Same as GS‑6 with general instructions for routine duties.
GS‑9: Same as GS‑6 with responsibility for independent work and recommendations to interdisciplinary teams.
Education substitution (if applicable, transcripts required):
GS‑6: Successful completion of 6 months graduate education or 1‑year post‑bachelor internship.
GS‑7: One year graduate education.
GS‑8: One and a half years graduate education.
GS‑9: Two years graduate education or a master’s degree.
Duties
Functions as an interdisciplinary team member, assisting physicians and other personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program.
Performs therapeutic and supportive tasks, including helping Veterans articulate recovery goals, monitor progress, model coping techniques, and advocate for effective services.
Participates in service, training, and consultation activities of VA health care services.
Uses personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools for self‑management.
Observes behaviors indicating difficulty adapting to treatment, documents and reports concerns to the treatment team.
Conducts individual and group meetings to teach Veterans to identify and manage negative self‑talk and overcome fears.
Handles crisis interventions and emergent situations without specific instructions as needed.
Informs Veterans about VA and community supports and resources.
Maintains knowledge of current holistic approaches to wellness and recovery.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am‑4:30 pm. Telework may be authorized ad‑hoc; telework eligibility discussed during interview. Virtual position is not available.
Position description/PD#: Peer Specialist/PD93049A – PD93050A – PD93051A – and PD93052A. Promotion potential: multi‑grade career ladder; selectees may be promoted to full performance level without further competition when regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Lower grade selection does not guarantee promotion.
Seniority Level Entry level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Other
Industries Government Administration
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Qualifications To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 01/22/2026.
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‑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.
Applicants must submit an SF‑50 that shows time‑in‑grade eligibility. If the most recent SF‑50 shows an effective date within the past year it may not demonstrate the required one‑year time‑in‑grade; an additional SF‑50 that clearly demonstrates one year is required.
Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement and to current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments.
Basic Requirements
FOR PEER SPECIALISTS a
Statutory Requirements [Section 405 of Public Law 110‑387 – 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)]:
Be a veteran recovering from or recovering from a mental health condition.
Be certified either by a not‑for‑profit entity engaged in peer specialist training or a State that has satisfied relevant state requirements.
Length of Experience in Recovery: at least 1 year of recovery from a mental health condition or substance use disorder.
Successful recovery is exemplified by managing symptoms, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, living independently, being employed or volunteering, having meaningful relationships, and social involvement in community activities.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Veteran is defined as a person who served in active military/ naval/ air/ or space service and was discharged/released under conditions other than dishonorable.
Restricted to VETERANS – see IMPORTANT NOTICE.
Open to current permanent employees of the VA (e.g., T38, VCS employees on excepted appointments).
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.
Applicants must provide copies of DD‑214 and Peer Specialist Certification with their application package.
English Language Proficiency requirement: basic written and spoken English proficiency is mandatory.
Minimum Grade Level Qualifications:
GS‑6: At least one year of specialized experience at the next lower graded level involving post‑personal mental health recovery experience as a mentor, recovery advocate, psychiatric therapy aide, or equivalent.
GS‑7: Same specialized experience as GS‑6 with minimal supervisory oversight.
GS‑8: Same as GS‑6 with general instructions for routine duties.
GS‑9: Same as GS‑6 with responsibility for independent work and recommendations to interdisciplinary teams.
Education substitution (if applicable, transcripts required):
GS‑6: Successful completion of 6 months graduate education or 1‑year post‑bachelor internship.
GS‑7: One year graduate education.
GS‑8: One and a half years graduate education.
GS‑9: Two years graduate education or a master’s degree.
Duties
Functions as an interdisciplinary team member, assisting physicians and other personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program.
Performs therapeutic and supportive tasks, including helping Veterans articulate recovery goals, monitor progress, model coping techniques, and advocate for effective services.
Participates in service, training, and consultation activities of VA health care services.
Uses personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools for self‑management.
Observes behaviors indicating difficulty adapting to treatment, documents and reports concerns to the treatment team.
Conducts individual and group meetings to teach Veterans to identify and manage negative self‑talk and overcome fears.
Handles crisis interventions and emergent situations without specific instructions as needed.
Informs Veterans about VA and community supports and resources.
Maintains knowledge of current holistic approaches to wellness and recovery.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am‑4:30 pm. Telework may be authorized ad‑hoc; telework eligibility discussed during interview. Virtual position is not available.
Position description/PD#: Peer Specialist/PD93049A – PD93050A – PD93051A – and PD93052A. Promotion potential: multi‑grade career ladder; selectees may be promoted to full performance level without further competition when regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Lower grade selection does not guarantee promotion.
Seniority Level Entry level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Other
Industries Government Administration
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