Peer Support Program Specialist

Summary This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Health Security (OHS), Total Workforce Protection Directorate (TWPD), Organizational Wellness Division (OWD). The primary purpose of this position performs and manages all matters pertaining to administration of the Peer Support program throughout the Headquarters program elements. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position. Responsibilities As a Peer Support Program Specialist, GS-0301-14, your typical work assignments may include: The incumbent is responsible for the overall operation and success of the peer support program to ensure standards of practice are met and maintained throughout all phases of program execution. Determines and coordinates marketing, recruitment efforts; manages and provides for volunteers' training needs; as well as provides for the general care and guidance of each Peer Support Volunteer member. The incumbent develops and adheres to directives, instructions, procedures and revises these guidance documents and associated interpretive material to implement new legislation, and to aid in consistency of care and implementation of peer services. Responds to congressional level inquiries or authors MOUs with other DHS components in support of expansion and increased availability of peer-to-peer resources throughout the Department. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 50 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Specialized Experience You must have at lease one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service (GS-13) or public/private sector equivalent experience. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Comprehension knowledge of peer support program administration to provide authoritative advice, guidance and to manage and facilitate high level actions for all aspects of the peer support program to include recruitment, training, motivating volunteers, data analysis, review, and evaluation functions. Advanced knowledge of peer support concepts to facilitate quality training of volunteers in recognizing signs of emotional distress and the desired skills and strategies needed to support recovery. Expert knowledge of current local, state, and national resources to coach volunteers in navigating systems of care for those in crisis. Skilled aptitude to plan, organize, and implement programs and proposals involving agency resources, or that require extensive changes in established procedures. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Certification This position requires a peer support training certification, the certification must be in Critical Incident and Stress Management (CISM). If you do not possess the certification, you must obtain from an approved certifying body within two (2) years of employment. NOTE: If you possess the certification, you must provide a copy as part of your application, otherwise you will receive an ineligible rating. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement. Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE. National Service Experience: 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, religious, 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Education Not Applicable Additional Information The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Public Trust as a condition of placement in this Non-Sensitive position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.