Supervisory Peer Specialist

Summary This Supervisory Peer Specialist position will supervise a team comprised of peer specialists and may supervise without compensation (WOC) peer support employees to provide services, integrate processes, and meet program goals. As the supervisor of a team of at least three or more peer support providers, the position ensures that peer support services are delivered to Veterans in an effective manner and coordinated with other treatment services as part of best health‑care practices. Qualifications Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current federal employees who have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must satisfy time‑in‑grade requirements (for a GS‑11 position, 52 weeks at GS‑10). An SF‑50 showing time‑in‑grade eligibility must be submitted. If the most recent SF‑50 has an effective date within the past year, an additional SF‑50 demonstrating one‑year time‑in‑grade is required. Time‑in‑grade requirements also apply to former federal employees applying for reinstatement and to those applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments. Basic Requirements

FOR PEER SPECIALISTS

Statutory Requirements - Section 405 of Public Law 110‑387 (38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)) requires that a veteran recovering or recovering from a mental health condition be certified by a not‑for‑profit peer‑specialist training entity or a state that satisfies relevant state requirements. Length of Experience as a Consumer of Mental Health Recovery Services - Veterans must have spent a minimum of one year in personal recovery from a mental health condition. Veteran definition - An individual must have served in the active military/naval/air/space service and be discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Eligible personnel: current–permanent VA employees (including 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, 30% DAV, Employment Program for People with Disabilities, and CTAP/ICTAP. Required documentation - submit copies of DD‑214 and Peer Specialist Certification with application. English language proficiency - basic written and spoken English is required for direct patient‑care positions. Specialized Experience - at least one full year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS‑10) directly related to supervisory peer‑support duties. Experience includes paid and unpaid posts such as mentoring peers in mental health or addiction recovery, advocacy, and in‑person communication to support others’ recovery. Physical Requirements - primarily light and sedentary duties with occasional moderate physical demands. Ability to perform tasks such as sitting, walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, and occasional use of behavioral management techniques with veterans presenting danger to self or others. Work settings include medical centers, group or family homes, community‑based outpatient settings, community organizations, and transport vehicles. Reference – VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix F‑3 Peer Support Apprentice/Peer Specialist Qualification Standard (available from the local Human Resources Office). Duties Supervise a veteran team of peer support providers meeting statutory requirements as outlined in the Qualifications section. Provide leadership, make difficult decisions, resolve operational and personnel problems, and represent peer support services at internal and external meetings. Manage peer support staff and team performance through quality reviews and in‑person observations. Deliver new employee orientation to accelerate integration and productivity. Train or provide training on systems, peer‑support practice techniques, new initiatives, ethics, privacy, and related topics. Coach and motivate staff to advocate for the Veterans they serve. Verify and approve CEU credits for staff and coordinate training and certification status. Approve leave, review, and sign timesheets. Ensure staff follow facility‑specific and VHA standard operating procedures, administrative practices, and policies. Recruit, select, and interview new peer support staff using standardized position descriptions and techniques. Conduct mid‑year and annual evaluations of staff. Implement performance improvement plans or disciplinary measures when needed. Coordinate peer support staffing coverage to maintain service availability for veteran health‑care users. Create an environment where feedback is openly addressed and resolved. Maintain program and administrative reference materials, project files, and relevant documents; distribute written instructions and resources. Stay current on best practices, tools, and resources related to peer support services. Maintain knowledge of treatments and services for appropriate referrals. Identify training needs and assist in developing training for staff. Participate in service‑training‑consultation and other professional activities; function as a fully vested member of the multidisciplinary team. Use personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and coach Veterans on self‑management of health conditions and wellness pursuit. Observe behaviors indicating treatment challenges and document and report concerns to the treatment team timely. Teach Veterans how to identify and combat negative self‑talk and overcome fears through individual and group meetings. Handle crisis interventions for Veterans and address emergent situations independently. Inform Veterans about VA and community supports, resources, and how to utilize them in recovery and wellness processes. Maintain knowledge of current holistic trends and developments by reading relevant literature. Perform other related duties as assigned. Work schedule: Monday‑Friday 07:30‑16:00 or 08:00‑16:30 (may be adjusted as needed). Telework: not authorized; virtual: not a virtual position. Position description/PD#: Supervisory Peer Specialist/PD99755S – Relocation/recruitment incentives: not authorized; Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): not approved; Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs