To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05 / 01 / 2024.

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 as gender specific, and therefore is restricted to women or transgender persons who identify as women.

• Restricted to WOMEN-Identified 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 VRA, and 30% DAV; Those eligible under the Employment Program for People with Disabilities; and those eligible for CTAP / ICTAP.

• Length of Experience in Recovery Basic Requirement : 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.

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. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position : Problem Solving Communication Teaches Others Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.

g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community;

student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note : A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

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. Reference : VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix F-3 Peer Support Apprentice / Peer Specialist Qualification Standard.

This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.