Peer Specialist - Los Angeles VA | Veterans Only | Up to $92K

Description

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is hiring Peer Specialists to support fellow Veterans on their mental health recovery journeys. This role is exclusively for Veterans who have personal experience recovering from a mental health condition. You'll use your own recovery story to mentor, coach, and guide other Veterans toward wellness. It's meaningful work where your lived experience becomes your greatest strength. There are 6 positions available across multiple sites in Los Angeles and San Pedro.

Here's what you'll be doing:

• Share your personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and coach Veterans on self-management skills
• Serve as a recovery advocate, providing holistic and wellness-based services to support Veterans in daily living
• Orient new Veterans to program services, staff, locations, and hours of operation
• Help Veterans articulate personal recovery and wellness goals through individual and group meetings
• Monitor progress on recovery plans and report updates or concerns to the treatment team
• Teach Veterans how to identify and combat negative self-talk and overcome fears in group settings
• Contribute to discharge planning based on each Veteran's goals and interests
• Observe and document behaviors that might indicate difficulty adapting to treatment

What you'll need to have:

• Must be a U.S. Veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
• At least 1 year of personal recovery from a mental health condition (mental illness and/or substance use disorder)
• Full, current, and unrestricted Peer Specialist certification from a state or approved non-profit entity
• Specialized experience as a mentor, recovery advocate, or psychiatric therapy aide (varies by grade level)
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English
• Ability to operate a government vehicle to assist Veterans with housing needs

Job Details

A Look at Our Benefits:

• Career ladder position with promotion potential to GS-9 without further competition
• Competitive federal benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance
• Annual leave accrual based on years of service (with credit for military and relevant non-federal experience)
• Federal retirement benefits and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
• Job stability with a permanent appointment in the competitive service