Peer Support Specialist (National Center for Warrior Independence)

The Peer Specialist position provides support to the National Center for Warrior Independence at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. The Peer Specialist performs a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks including assisting peers in articulating their goals for recovery, learning and practicing new skills, helping monitor their progress, assisting in their treatment, modeling effective coping techniques and strategies based on the specialist's own recovery experience.

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/Onboarding 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/Onboarding 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. Additional Duties may include but are not limited to: 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. Serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective wellness and holistic, recovery-based services that aid Veterans in daily living. Orients new Veterans to the program's services, hours, locations, staff, and other pertinent information necessary for the Veterans to understand how to effectively utilize the program services. Guides Veterans to articulate personal recovery and wellness goals through the use of individual or group meetings. Utilizes recovery tools to coach Veterans on relevant skills needed for self-management of their health condition(s) and pursuit of their personal wellness. Monitors progress and assists with the execution of the recovery and wellness plan, makes timely reports of progress, and presents new areas of concern to the treatment team. Contributes to the development of an effective discharge plan that is based upon their understanding of the Veteran's goals and interests. Observes behaviors that might indicate difficulty adapting or responding to treatment (e.g., missed appointments, failure to 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 Veterans to share their experiences. Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in holistic approaches in wellness and recovery by reading books, journals, and other relevant materials. Must be able to operate a government furnished vehicle for the purpose of assisting Veterans with obtaining and retaining housing. Performs other related duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: 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. 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 Specialist (National Center for Warrior Independence)/PD99324S, PD99325S, PD99326S, and PD99327S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical

Requirements

The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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 ([external link] Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: 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. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.