Peer Specialist
Promotion Potential:
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. NOTE:
This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-9. At the GS-6/7/8 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and will less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-9. Duties include:
-Serve as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for any effective recovery based services that will aid the veteran in daily living. -Participate in the service, training, consultative and other professional activities of treatment program and functions as full professional member of the multidisciplinary team assisting physicians and other professional/non-professional personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program. -Perform a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks including assisting your peers in articulating their goals for recovery; 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 specialist's own recovery experience; and supporting them in advocating for themselves to obtain effective services. -Assist veterans to articulate personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to-one and group sessions. -Work with veterans to develop and implement a personal recovery plan. -Use ongoing individual and group sessions to teach veterans how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows group members to share their experiences. -Handle crisis interventions for any program patient or address other emergency situations. In addition, using own personal recovery experience you will:
-Teach and role model the value of every individual's recovery experience. -Assist in obtaining services that suit the individual's recovery needs. -Inform veterans about community and mutual supports and how to use these in the recovery process. -Assist veterans in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy. -Provide support of veteran's vocational choices and assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths. -Assist veterans in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure. Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 1st shift, 8AM to 4:
30PM, with occasional after-hours duties based on patient needs and supervisor approval. Position Description:
Peer Specialist, PD#15211A, 15212A, 15213A, 15214A Telework:
Not Available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/21/2020. 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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. For a GS-8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-8. 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. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note:
Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Basic Requirements:
The following are basic requirements that must be met for all Peer Specialist grade levels:
Statutory Requirements. Section 405 of Public Law 110-387, as codified in 38 USC 7402(b)(13), established that to be eligible to receive appointment as a Peer Specialist position, a person must:
-Be a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition. -Be certified as a Peer Specialist by:
(a) A non-profit 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. (What does Certified mean? Visit http:
//www.vacareers.va.gov/peer-to-peer/faqs.asp) Copy of Certification Required. Length of Experience as a Consumer of Mental Health Recovery Services. Veterans eligible under 38 USC 7402(b)(13) must have spent a minimum of 1 year in personal recovery from a mental health condition. Definition of a Veteran per 38 USC 101:
A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to quality for this position you must have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or may substitute education as indicated below.
Experience:
Specialized experience is progressively responsible, 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. Specialized Experience GS-6 level:
At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in Federal Service closely related to the work of this position that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Peer Specialist. At this level you are able to work from specific instructions for the performance of routine duties and detailed instructions and training in performance of the routine functions. Your work has been closely monitored including having work checked in progress and reviewing completed work for accuracy, adequacy, and adherence to instructions or procedures. -OR- Education GS-6 level:
Successfully completed six (6) months of graduate education (Master Level) in a degree program directly related to the work of this position. Transcript Required -OR- Post-Bachelor's Degree Internship - GS-6:
Successfully completed a one (1) year post-bachelor's degree internship directly related to the work of this position. Documentation within Resume and Transcripts required. Specialized Experience GS-7 level:
At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level in Federal Service closely related to the work of this position that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Peer Specialist. At this level, routine work has been completed with minimal supervisory oversight and review, however close supervision will have been provided for complex and unusual tasks. -OR- Education GS-7 level:
Successfully completed one (1) year of graduate education (Master Level) in a degree program directly related to the work of this position. Transcript Required Specialized Experience GS-8 level:
At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in Federal Service closely related to the work of this position that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Peer Specialist. At this level you have the ability to work with general instructions for the performance of routine duties and detailed instructions and/or training in performance of the non-routine functions and special assignments. Non-routine/novel work will have been reviewed by spot checking and after completion to evaluate the adequacy of methods, procedures, results, ability to solve new and changing problems, etc. -OR- Education GS-8 level:
Successfully completed one and one-half (1-1/2) years of graduate education (Master Level) in a degree program directly related to the work of this position. Transcript Required Specialized Experience GS-9 level:
At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-8 level in Federal Service closely related to the work of this position that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Peer Specialist. At this level work will have been performed with considerable independence wand you are responsible for making recommendations to the interdisciplinary treatment team that can be relied on for soundness of judgment and maturity of insight on problem cases. -OR- Education GS-9 level:
Successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's equivalent graduate degree. Transcript Required You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
Computer SkillsInterpersonal SkillsPsychologyTeamwork Physical Requirements:
The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee will sit to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items (such as books, papers), accessing transportation, and/or driving a government vehicle. The work requires patience and control of emotions. The work may require occasional use of appropriate techniques to physically restrain clients who present a danger to self or others. Working Environment:
Work will be performed in a wide range of settings, including the medical center; in client group or family homes; in community-based outpatient settings, community agencies; or in transport vehicles (public or government). Work areas are often noisy, irregular, and unpredictable and can be stressful at times. Clients demonstrate varying levels of recovery and symptoms. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https:
//www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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. NOTE:
This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-9. At the GS-6/7/8 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and will less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-9. Duties include:
-Serve as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for any effective recovery based services that will aid the veteran in daily living. -Participate in the service, training, consultative and other professional activities of treatment program and functions as full professional member of the multidisciplinary team assisting physicians and other professional/non-professional personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program. -Perform a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks including assisting your peers in articulating their goals for recovery; 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 specialist's own recovery experience; and supporting them in advocating for themselves to obtain effective services. -Assist veterans to articulate personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to-one and group sessions. -Work with veterans to develop and implement a personal recovery plan. -Use ongoing individual and group sessions to teach veterans how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows group members to share their experiences. -Handle crisis interventions for any program patient or address other emergency situations. In addition, using own personal recovery experience you will:
-Teach and role model the value of every individual's recovery experience. -Assist in obtaining services that suit the individual's recovery needs. -Inform veterans about community and mutual supports and how to use these in the recovery process. -Assist veterans in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy. -Provide support of veteran's vocational choices and assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths. -Assist veterans in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure. Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 1st shift, 8AM to 4:
30PM, with occasional after-hours duties based on patient needs and supervisor approval. Position Description:
Peer Specialist, PD#15211A, 15212A, 15213A, 15214A Telework:
Not Available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/21/2020. 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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. For a GS-8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-8. 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. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note:
Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Basic Requirements:
The following are basic requirements that must be met for all Peer Specialist grade levels:
Statutory Requirements. Section 405 of Public Law 110-387, as codified in 38 USC 7402(b)(13), established that to be eligible to receive appointment as a Peer Specialist position, a person must:
-Be a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition. -Be certified as a Peer Specialist by:
(a) A non-profit 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. (What does Certified mean? Visit http:
//www.vacareers.va.gov/peer-to-peer/faqs.asp) Copy of Certification Required. Length of Experience as a Consumer of Mental Health Recovery Services. Veterans eligible under 38 USC 7402(b)(13) must have spent a minimum of 1 year in personal recovery from a mental health condition. Definition of a Veteran per 38 USC 101:
A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to quality for this position you must have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or may substitute education as indicated below.
Experience:
Specialized experience is progressively responsible, 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. Specialized Experience GS-6 level:
At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in Federal Service closely related to the work of this position that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Peer Specialist. At this level you are able to work from specific instructions for the performance of routine duties and detailed instructions and training in performance of the routine functions. Your work has been closely monitored including having work checked in progress and reviewing completed work for accuracy, adequacy, and adherence to instructions or procedures. -OR- Education GS-6 level:
Successfully completed six (6) months of graduate education (Master Level) in a degree program directly related to the work of this position. Transcript Required -OR- Post-Bachelor's Degree Internship - GS-6:
Successfully completed a one (1) year post-bachelor's degree internship directly related to the work of this position. Documentation within Resume and Transcripts required. Specialized Experience GS-7 level:
At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level in Federal Service closely related to the work of this position that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Peer Specialist. At this level, routine work has been completed with minimal supervisory oversight and review, however close supervision will have been provided for complex and unusual tasks. -OR- Education GS-7 level:
Successfully completed one (1) year of graduate education (Master Level) in a degree program directly related to the work of this position. Transcript Required Specialized Experience GS-8 level:
At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in Federal Service closely related to the work of this position that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Peer Specialist. At this level you have the ability to work with general instructions for the performance of routine duties and detailed instructions and/or training in performance of the non-routine functions and special assignments. Non-routine/novel work will have been reviewed by spot checking and after completion to evaluate the adequacy of methods, procedures, results, ability to solve new and changing problems, etc. -OR- Education GS-8 level:
Successfully completed one and one-half (1-1/2) years of graduate education (Master Level) in a degree program directly related to the work of this position. Transcript Required Specialized Experience GS-9 level:
At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-8 level in Federal Service closely related to the work of this position that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Peer Specialist. At this level work will have been performed with considerable independence wand you are responsible for making recommendations to the interdisciplinary treatment team that can be relied on for soundness of judgment and maturity of insight on problem cases. -OR- Education GS-9 level:
Successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's equivalent graduate degree. Transcript Required You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
Computer SkillsInterpersonal SkillsPsychologyTeamwork Physical Requirements:
The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee will sit to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items (such as books, papers), accessing transportation, and/or driving a government vehicle. The work requires patience and control of emotions. The work may require occasional use of appropriate techniques to physically restrain clients who present a danger to self or others. Working Environment:
Work will be performed in a wide range of settings, including the medical center; in client group or family homes; in community-based outpatient settings, community agencies; or in transport vehicles (public or government). Work areas are often noisy, irregular, and unpredictable and can be stressful at times. Clients demonstrate varying levels of recovery and symptoms. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https:
//www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
- Department:
0102 Social Science Aid and Technician - Salary Range:
$43,164 to $76,274 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
|
|
 | |
