Become a Peer Specialist with the VA in Los Angeles

Are you a Veteran who has navigated the challenges of mental health or addiction recovery and wants to help others do the same? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is currently looking for dedicated individuals to join our team in Los Angeles as Peer Specialists. This role is a vital component of our Whole Health System of care, designed to provide support, mentorship, and advocacy for those who have served our country.

Job Responsibilities

As a Peer Specialist, you act as an interdisciplinary team member. Your daily responsibilities will include:

Mentoring: Using your personal story to model effective coping techniques.
Goal Setting: Assisting Veterans in identifying and pursuing their individual wellness goals.
Support: Teaching peers how to combat negative self-talk and navigate challenging emotional states.
Advocacy: Helping Veterans access VA and community resources.
Documentation: Keeping accurate records of peer progress and reporting clinical concerns to the medical team.

Requirements

To be eligible for this position, you must meet several key criteria:

Veteran Status: You must have served in the military and been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Recovery Experience: You must have a minimum of one year of personal recovery experience.
Certification: You must hold a valid, unrestricted Peer Specialist certification.
Language: You must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Comparison of Grade Levels

Grade Level	Requirements Overview	Focus
GS-06	1 year specialized experience	Entry/Closely monitored
GS-07	1 year specialized experience	Routine work/Minimal oversight
GS-08	1 year specialized experience	Routine/Some non-routine support
GS-09	1 year specialized experience	Independent/Clinical team contributor

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary ranging from $52,938 to $93,549 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition to a competitive salary, the VA provides a comprehensive federal benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and generous leave accrual.

Application Tips

Keep it Concise: Your resume must be strictly limited to two pages.
Document Everything: Be clear about your hours per week and the nature of your duties.
Use PDF Format: This ensures your formatting remains intact during the upload process.
Check Certification: Ensure your peer certification documents are current and uploaded correctly.

This Peer Specialist position is a unique opportunity to transform your own recovery journey into a source of hope and healing for your fellow Veterans. If you meet the criteria and are ready to contribute to a mission of compassion and resilience, we encourage you to submit your application through the official portal today.

Why This Peer Specialist Job Matters

Turn your personal journey into a powerful tool for recovery—join the VA as a Peer Specialist and help fellow Veterans thrive.

Peer Specialist Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking compassionate individuals who have navigated their own recovery from mental health or substance use conditions to serve as Peer Specialists in Los Angeles, California. As a key member of our interdisciplinary treatment team, you will empower Veterans by sharing your lived experience, modeling healthy coping strategies, and helping others reach their personal wellness goals. This unique role turns your path to recovery into a supportive roadmap for those who have served our country.

Requirements for Peer Specialist

Must be a U.S. Citizen
Must be a Veteran (served in active military, naval, air, or space service with a discharge other than dishonorable)
Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted Peer Specialist certification
Must have at least one year of personal recovery experience from a mental health condition or substance use disorder
Must be proficient in written and spoken English
Must be able to pass a background and security investigation
Must complete a mandatory 1-year probationary or 2-year trial period

Preferred Qualifications for Peer Specialist

Demonstrated experience in mentoring peers in recovery
History of active community involvement or volunteerism related to health and wellness
Strong interpersonal communication and problem-solving abilities
Experience working in a psychiatric, addiction, or supportive care environment

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Comprehensive federal health insurance options
✓Paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays
✓Retirement savings plans including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
✓Life insurance coverage
✓Career advancement opportunities within a national network
✓Meaningful work with a direct impact on Veteran well-being

💡 How to Apply Peer Specialist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Peer Specialist Job

Ensure your resume is no more than two pages long and formatted as a PDF.
Log in to your USAJOBS account and navigate to the job announcement.
Complete the occupational questionnaire.
Upload required documents: Resume, DD-214, Proof of Certification, and Transcripts (if using education to qualify).
Submit your application package before the deadline of 11/04/2026.

💡 General Tips

Focus your resume on relevant experience; USAJOBS now enforces a two-page limit.
Use specific, result-oriented language when describing your past work and recovery mentorship roles.
Ensure your resume includes month and year for all start/end dates and clearly states the hours worked per week.
Save your resume as a PDF and avoid using portfolios to ensure it renders correctly for HR reviewers.
Double-check that your Peer Specialist certification is clearly attached to your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for this Peer Specialist role?

This position is strictly limited to Veterans who have personal experience in mental health or addiction recovery and hold an active Peer Specialist certification.

Can I use volunteer work to qualify for this position?

Yes, both paid and volunteer work in mental health or addiction support can count toward your experience if documented clearly with hours worked per week.

What is the two-page resume limit?

Per recent federal guidelines, your resume must be two pages or fewer to be considered eligible for this position. Longer resumes may result in disqualification.

Is this a remote position?

No, this position is onsite in Los Angeles, California.

Can I apply if I am not a Veteran?

No, this specific position is restricted to Veterans due to the nature of the peer-to-peer relationship.

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is dedicated to providing compassionate, world-class health care to America's Veterans. We believe in empowering our patients to take charge of their well-being by fostering healing environments and strong community connections. By joining our team, you become part of a mission-driven organization focused on personalizing the health journey of every Veteran we serve.