This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section.
The position leads a team comprised of Peer Specialists and may lead Without Compensation (WOC) peer support employees, within a common supervisory structure, to provide services, integrate processes, and meet goals of peer support service programming at the facility. As the leader of a team of peer support staff, the position facilitates, coordinates, coaches, and problem solve with the members of the peer support staff team.
The position also acts as the recognized liaison to and from the peer support staff team and the supervisor. The work of the position enables the peer support provider team as a whole to deliver improved quality, quantity, and timely services to Veterans.
Duties include, but not limited to the following: Ensures that the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values are communicated to the peer support staff they lead and integrated into the team's strategies, goals, objectives, work plans, products, and services.
Articulates and communicates to the peer support staff they lead the assignments, projects, problems to be solved, actionable events, milestones, and/or program issues under review as well as the deadlines and time frames for completion. The position communicates the supervisor's instructions to the team.
Coaches the peer support staff they lead in the selection and application of appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques, provides advice on work methods, practices and procedures, and assists the team and/or individual members in identifying the parameters of viable solutions. Maintains awareness of the status and progress of peer support staff's work and makes day-to-day adjustments to ensure their work aligns with program goals and processes.
Leads the team in identifying, distributing, and balancing workload and tasks in accordance with established workflow, skill level and/or occupational specialization; makes adjustments to accomplish the workload in accordance with established priorities to ensure timely accomplishment of assigned team tasks; and ensures that each team member has an integral role in developing the final team products and services.
Identifies training needs and assists in the development of training for peer specialists and Veterans seeking to become peer specialists. Serves as a coach, facilitator and/or negotiator in coordinating team initiatives and in consensus building activities among team members. Maintains working knowledge of treatments and services available for the purpose of appropriate referrals.
Represents the team in dealings with the supervisor for the purpose of obtaining resources (e.g., computer hardware and software, use of overtime or compensatory time), and securing needed information or decisions from the supervisor on major work problems and issues that arise. 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 tools to coach Veterans on relevant skills needed 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: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm or as determined by the supervisor. Compressed/Flexible: This may be authorized at the supervisor's discretion. Telework: This position may be authorized for telework.
Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Lead Peer Specialist/PD99338S
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
faith.joiner@va.gov · (682) 406-4010
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $84971 – $110456/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-09-08.
This position is open under the 'Vet' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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