VVFS Veteran Peer Specialist

Title: VVFS Veteran Peer Specialist

State Role Title: Program Administration Specialist I

Hiring Range:

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept of Veterans Services

Location: Fairfax Benefits Field Office

Agency Website: www.dvs.virginai.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The purpose of the Veteran Peer Specialist (VPS) position is to provide individualized peer coaching and advocacy services to veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and transitioning service members throughout an assigned VA Veterans & Family Support (VVFS) Region.

The VPS works alongside veteran peers to inspire and support individuals in their personal management of daily living and behavioral challenges. The VPS provides hope, support, knowledge, coaching, role modeling, connection, navigation, and more via the connection of similar personal experience as a military service member or veteran.

The VPS is directly supervised by a Regional Director in their perspective areas

Minimum Qualifications

• U.S. Military experience required.

- Minimum of one year, post-military experience, addressing personal challenges related to post- traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, transition from military to civilian environment and/or other military service related concerns.

• Knowledge and experience related to human services and/or behavioral healthcare field.

• Professional knowledge and/or personal experience in behavioral health and supportive services for veterans, service members, dependents and caregivers.

• Knowledge of human rights, ethical and legal concerns related to providing care coordination services.

• Knowledge of suicide interventions and mandatory reporting requirements.

• Ability to communicate (written and oral) clearly and effectively. Experience in public speaking and delivery of subject matter trainings related to SMVF population.

• Ability to engage service members, veterans and their families (SMVF) population, develop professional relationships, and advocate for those individuals receiving services.

• Excellent client service skills. The ability to demonstrate creativity in developing strategies to resolve barriers to treatment and supportive services access.

• Excellent knowledge of computers and word processing skills.

• Excellent organization and record keeping skills.

• Ability to work independently and efficiently.

• Ability to work in a team model. Maintain effective inter/intra-agency working relationships.

Additional Considerations

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDVS accepts submissions of on-line applications only. Faxed, mailed, or emailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:59 P.M. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which includes your specific qualifications for the position you are seeking.
The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from either the electronic applications and/or resume. RMS provides a confirmation or receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your RMS account to check the status of your application.
It is the policy of VDVS to provide equal opportunity for all applications and employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, gender, identify or expression, disability, veterans status or political affiliation, or against otherwise qualified person with disabilities.
Commonwealth of Virginia State agencies must provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring accommodations should direct inquiries to the human resource contact directly. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be reviewed and determined on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants who possess an Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Form) as issued under the Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM) Policy 1.30 Layoff (Commonwealth of Virginia Employees Only), MUST attach these forms when submitting their state application and/or resume.

Contact Information

Name: DVS HR Team

Phone: No Calls

Email: recruitment@dvs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.