Peer Support Apprentice - Facility Based

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation incentive

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Los Angeles is seeking a Peer Specialist to support veteran independence through recovery coaching, outreach, and collaborative care.

The role emphasizes peer-led guidance, documentation, and coordination with interdisciplinary teams. Applicants must meet statutory veteran-related requirements and actively pursue certification, with recruitment/relocation incentives possible for highly qualified candidates.

Qualifications

• Must be a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition.
• Must be certified by a peer specialist training entity or by a State to meet criteria for a peer specialist position.
• Active pursuit of certification as required to serve as a Peer Specialist by 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)(B).
• Must provide copies of DD-214 with application package.

Responsibilities

• Assist Veterans in articulating goals for recovery and personal wellness.
• Coach Veterans to acquire coping skills and self-help strategies.
• Support interdisciplinary teams in rehabilitation treatment programs and service delivery initiatives.
• Engage in outreach and partnership building to improve access to veteran programs.

Skills

Veteran status

Recovery experience

English proficiency

Job description

Summary

This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section. A recruitment/relocation incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.

Summary

This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section. A recruitment/relocation incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/16/2026.

Basic Requirements

• FOR PEER SPECIALISTSa
• Statutory Requirements
• Section 405 of Public Law 110-387 - as codified in 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13) - established that to be eligible to receive appointment to a Peer Specialist position - a person must: (1) be a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition
• and(2) be certified by -(a) a not-for-profit entity 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
• b
• Length of Experience in Recovery: must have at least 1 year of recovery from a mental health condition (mental illness and/or substance use disorder)
• Successful recovery is exemplified by one who manages symptoms of illness and pursues a healthy lifestyle
• lives independently
• is employed or volunteers significant time approximating at least a part‑time employment schedule
• has meaningful relationships with family members and friends
• and is socially involved in the community through clubs - hobby groups - church - civic organizations or Veteran organizations in which the individual provides a service to others
• BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PEER SUPPORT APPRENTICES - GS-102-5: As a Peer Support Apprentice hired to become a certified Peer Specialist - a Veteran must have spent a minimum of 1 year in recovery from a mental health condition (mental illness and/or substance use disorder)
• In all cases - 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 the Peer Support Apprentice with the written requirements for becoming certified - the date by which he or she must become certified - and the consequences for not becoming certified by the 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
• Additionally - in accordance with the Mission Act of 2018 and Public Law 115-271 - in order to meet the needs of women Veterans - the Office of Personnel Management has authorized this recruitment to women only
• - See IMPORTANT NOTICE
• Open to current - permanent employees of the VA (i.e
• T38 - T38 Hybrid - and VCS employees on excepted appts covered by an interchange agreement)
• Federal employees on a Career/Career‑Conditional appt.
• 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
• NOTE: You MUST provide copies of your DD-214 with your application package
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
• The applicant must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands - exercise patience - and control emotions - with reasonable accommodation if necessary - without endangering the health and safety of the applicant or others
• The work is primarily sedentary
• Typically - the employee sits to do the work
• There may be some walking - standing - bending - carrying of light items (such as books - papers) - and accessing transportation
• The work may require occasional use of Department of Veteran's Affairs approved behavioral management techniques with Veterans who present a danger to self or others
• Veterans demonstrate varying levels of wellness - recovery - and symptoms
• Work Environment: This position must be equipped to be flexible and accept that work areas are often noisy - irregular - unpredictable - and stressful Work is performed in a wide range of settings - including the Medical Center - group or family homes - community-based outpatient settings - community organizations - or in transport vehicles (public or government).For more information on these qualification standards - please visit https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/

Duties

• Boots to Suits Workshop Date: Sept 29 - 2026 - 9 am - 5 pm Walk-ins welcome! A hands on workshop to learn about the Peer Support opportunity - federal resume writing - interviewing techniques - and apply to USA Jobs
• Register for Workshop The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is Seeking Highly Energetic Candidates! This position plays a vital role in supporting the Center's mission to enhance Veteran independence through coordinated services - strategic outreach - and programmatic excellence
• Ideal candidates are motivated - adaptable - and committed to improving Veteran outcomes through collaboration - innovation - and high-quality service delivery
• The role involves supporting interdisciplinary teams - managing key program functions - and helping drive initiatives that empower Veterans to thrive in their communities
• This vacancy is a solicitation for a Hiring Fair Event - which will be offered on an invite-only basis once the minimum position qualifications have been verified
• Candidates who resides in the West Los Angeles commuting area will be required to attend in person
• Candidates who reside outside of West Los Angeles commuting area will have the opportunity to tele-interview: Date: Saturday - November 7 - 2026 Time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location of Hiring Event: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System 11301 Wilshire Ave Los Angeles - CA 90073 Core duties may include: Supporting National Center for Warrior Independence programs that enhance Veteran resilience and promote independent living
• Assisting with coordination - planning - and execution of service delivery initiatives across healthcare and administrative service lines
• Engaging in outreach - partnership building - and communication efforts that improve access - awareness - and effectiveness of Veteran programs
• Ensuring timely and accurate support to Veterans - staff - and interdisciplinary teams through data gathering - scheduling - documentation - and workflow management
• Contributing to innovation and process improvements aimed at strengthening Veteran outcomes and operational success
• The Peer Specialist functions as an interdisciplinary team member - assisting physicians and other professional/non-professional personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program
• Peer specialists perform a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks that include assisting Veterans in articulating their goals for recovery and personal wellness - 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 peer specialist's own recovery experience - and supporting them in advocating for themselves to obtain effective services
• Duties include - but not limited to the following: Participates in the service - training - consultation - and other professional activities of VA health care services and functions as a fully vested member of the multidisciplinary team
• Uses personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tolls to coach Veterans to relevant skills need for self-management of their health condition(s) and pursuit of their personal wellness
• Observes behaviors that might indicate difficulty adapting or responding to treatment (e.g. - missed assessment appointments - failure to attend or maintain abstinence - risk to self or others - disruptive behavior) - completes appropriate documentation - and reports concerns to the treatment team in a timely manner
• Uses ongoing individual and group meetings to teach Veterans how to identify and combat negative self-talk and overcome fears by providing a forum that allows Veteran to share their experiences
• As necessary - handles crisis interventions for Veterans and addresses other emergent situations without the benefit of specific instructions
• Informs Veterans about VA and community supports and resources - including how to effectively utilize them in the recovery and wellness process
• Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in holistic approaches in wellness and recovery by reading books - journals - and other relevant materials
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Various tours of duty based on the needs of the service
• Compressed/Flexible: May be available based on the needs of the service
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Peer Support Apprentice - Facility Based/PD99323s and PD99318s Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder
• 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.