Full Time

Peer Support Apprentice - Community Based

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Full-time

Government Administration

Sioux Falls, SD

???* / year

Job Description

Summary

The Peer Support Apprentice functions as an interdisciplinary team member - assisting physicians and other professional/non-professional personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 11/06/2026.

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 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
Restricted to VETERANS - See IMPORTANT NOTICE
Open to 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
Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid - unrestricted State driver's license - have a safe driving record - and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely
Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination
NOTE: We cannot accept photographs - therefore
please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package
If an interview is requested - you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license
Physical Requirements and Work Environment: 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 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 Veteran's Affairs approved behavioral management techniques with Veterans who present a danger to self or others
Veterans demonstrate varying levels of wellness - recovery - and symptoms
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 the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Duties

TIME LIMITED POSITION: This time-limited position will provide the peer support apprentice the time to learn and develop the necessary skills to perform as a peer specialist and to earn a peer specialist certification
After successful completion of a State or VA-approved contract vendor's peer specialist certification training process - and the necessary year of specialized experience - and time-in-grade requirements - the position would be eligible for a permanent - peer specialist position
Peer support apprentices perform a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks that include assisting Veterans in articulating their goals for recovery and personal wellness - learning and practicing new skills - helping them monitor their progress - assisting them in their treatment - modeling effective coping techniques and self-help strategies based on the apprentice's own recovery experience - and supporting them in advocating for themselves to obtain effective services
The position functions as a role model - exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills and serves as an advocate - provides information and peer support services for Veterans in outpatient - inpatient and/or community settings
This individual must develop the ability to assist others in treatment - based on the principles of recovery - wellness - and resiliency - by promoting self-determination - personal responsibility - and the empowerment inherent in self-directed recovery
By inspiring the hope that recovery and resiliency are achievable goals - the position can assist and empower Veterans - who are diagnosed with mental illnesses and/or co-occurring disorders - as well as other chronic illnesses or injuries - to achieve their personal recovery goals
The position performs a wide range of tasks to assist Veterans in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery and wellness process
As an entry level position - most duties are performed under close supervision by either a licensed independent provider (LIP) or a non-licensed provider who works under a LIP
The purpose of the supervision is to facilitate learning and the development of skills
The knowledge required for this position will be attained through ongoing instruction provided by the supervisor or designee (e.g. - the Local Recovery Coordinator)
In addition - the position must complete a State or VA-approved contract vendor's certification training process - to be eligible to be hired as a peer specialist
Duties include - but not limited to the following: 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 through immediate consultation with the supervisor or most available clinical provider
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: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Position Description/PD#: Peer Support Apprentice - Community Based/PD99323S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.