Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Logo
Position Title
PEER SPECIALIST
Agency
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number
CBET-10944287-21-GCR Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, October 23, 2020 to Tuesday, November 17, 2020
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans' Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you currently employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs?
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50).  Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted).  Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
(limit characters)
3. Are you an employee of the department/service line indicated for this position?
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.

To verify your eligibility, you may be required submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50).  Please review the instructions in the announcement.  Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted).  Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
(limit characters)
4. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
  • have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
  • retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
(limit characters)
5. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for Schedule A Disability appointments?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
(limit characters)
6. Do you have prior Career or Career-Conditional Service with the Federal Government? If so, you may be eligible for reinstatement.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field box 24. is 1 or 2); AND, 
  • your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field box 34. is 1).
  • highest grade previously held (Grade or Level field box 18.)
(limit characters)
7. Are you currently employed as a civilian employee in the competitive service in a federal agency other than the Department of Veterans Affairs?
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
  • your status is in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
8. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
  • served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
  • are entitled to veterans' preference?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.  *Note current Federal employees must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements.
(limit characters)
9. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
  • recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR,
  • are a disabled veteran; OR,
  • served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
  • received an Armed Forces Service Medal?
If eligible, submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, provide the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
(limit characters)
10. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy; AND, 
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
11. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the Department of Veterans Affairs?  If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?

If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
1. Are you a veteran of the United Stated Armed Forces? You MUST provide a copy of your DD-214, with your application package. (limit characters)
2. Have you recovered from, or are you in the process of recovering from, a mental health condition? (limit characters)
3. Have you spent a minimum of 1 year in recovery from a mental health condition? (limit characters)
4. Are you currently certified as a Peer Specialist by a not-for-profit entity engaged in peer specialist training as having met such criteria as the Secretary shall establish for a peer support specialist position; or a State as having satisfied relevant State requirements for a peer specialist position? (Copy of certification is required) (limit characters)
5. In addition to the basic requirements, do you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8) OR have completed 2 full years of graduate education or have a master's degree directly related to the work of the position.

Specialized Experience:
  • Performed with considerable independence and made recommendations to the interdisciplinary treatment team.
  • Assist in obtaining services that suit the individual's personal recovery and wellness needs.
  • Taught Veterans how to identify and combat negative self-talk and overcome fears by providing a forum that allows Veteran to share their experiences.
  • Modeled effective coping techniques, holistic wellness, and self-help strategies.
  • Provided Veterans informational and supporting services such as an overview of the VA's programs' services, hours, locations, and other pertinent information.
(limit characters)
Select itemIn this part you will respond to questions about your experience as it relates to the position for which you are applying. Carefully review the level descriptions (A to E) listed below. For each task question, choose the level description that best describes your experience and/or training. Your responses must be fully supported within the text of your resume. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
6. Assisted Veterans based on the principles of recovery, wellness, and resiliency, by promoting self-determination, personal responsibility, and the empowerment inherent in self-directed recovery. (limit characters)
7. Works with Veterans with very complex mental health challenges and situations that require effective communication and decision-making skills. (limit characters)
8. 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). (limit characters)
9. Collaborated with Veterans to develop and implement a personal wellness and recovery plan. (limit characters)
10. Teaches Veterans how to identify and combat negative self-talk and overcome fears by providing a forum that allows Veteran to share their experiences. (limit characters)
11. Model effective coping techniques, holistic wellness, and self-help strategies. (limit characters)
12. Assist Veterans in exploring their interests and options for making improvements in life functioning areas such as housing, employment, relationships, and community engagement (i.e. assist Veterans in exploring options for obtaining decent and affordable housing and make referrals to appropriate VA housing programs. (limit characters)
13. Assists Veterans in developing empowerment skills, identifying strengths, and combating stigma through self­ advocacy. (limit characters)
14. Serves as an advocate and provides information and peer support for Veterans. (limit characters)
15. 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. (limit characters)
16. Utilizes recovery tools to coach Veterans on relevant skills needed for self-management of their health condition(s) and pursuit of their personal wellness. (limit characters)
17. Assist in obtaining services that suit the individual's personal recovery and wellness needs. (limit characters)
18. Works with Veterans with very complex mental illnesses and challenging situations that require effective communication and decision-making skills. (limit characters)
19. Serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective wellness and holistic recovery-based services that aid Veterans in daily living. (limit characters)
20. Assists Veterans in determining the steps needed to achieve their self-directed recovery goals and wellness. (limit characters)
21. Assist and empower Veterans, who are diagnosed with mental illnesses and/or co-occurring disorders, as well as other chronic illnesses or injuries, to achieve their personal recovery goals. (limit characters)
22. Completes assignments based on comprehensive peer support knowledge and recognition by others of demonstrated superior skill and proven sound judgment. (limit characters)
23. Completes assignments based on comprehensive peer support knowledge and recognition by others of demonstrated superior skill and proven sound judgment. (limit characters)
24. Assist with the execution of the Veteran caller's recovery and wellness plan. (limit characters)
25. Delivers best practices of the peer support model over the telephone and other platforms to Veterans. (limit characters)
26. Completes appropriate documentation, and reports concerns to the treatment team in a timely manner. (limit characters)
27. Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in holistic approaches in wellness and recovery by reading books, journals, and other relevant materials. (limit characters)
28. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be canceled; I may be denied an appointment; or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated and that responding "No" or providing no response to this item will result in my not being considered for this position (limit characters)
Select itemRESUME REMINDER- Your resume must include the following information each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. (limit characters)