Peer Support Apprentice (Woman Specific Facility Based)
Los Angeles, CA - USA
Job Summary
This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section. Additionally in accordance with the VA 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.
A recruitment/relocation incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- You must have a full current and unrestricted peer specialist certification to meet this qualification requirement for employment in VHA as a peer specialist.
- You must be a WOMAN Veteran (See Statutory Requirements below)
- In accordance with the VA 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.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 10/16/2026.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PEER SPECIALISTS
a. 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.
Restricted to WOMEN VETERANS - 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 Veterans 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
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
State-certified peer specialists who wish to relocate will need to check their current state and the new state to verify certification requirements. This should be completed before applying to peer specialist positions in a different state. Verification must be made that the peer specialist possesses a valid certification before being appointment to the position.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations Security and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.