Washington, D.C. - U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Linda M. Springer today chaired OPM's quarterly meeting with representatives of more than 20 Veterans Service Organizations (VSO's). Discussions focused on improving and developing new strategies for hiring and recruiting veterans into the Federal workforce, as well as an update on other OPM veterans outreach initiatives.

"Our commitment to veterans of the Armed Forces remains steadfast and strong, and we will do everything we can to ensure the rights of veterans are protected," Director Springer said. "In addition, we will continue to seek returning veterans as candidates to continue serving America in the Federal civilian workforce."

Included among those strategies for recruiting and hiring veterans discussed at today's meeting were changes to veterans' preference eligibility, which has been expanded to include all veterans who served on active duty since September 11, 2001; changes to student employment regulations to count active duty time towards the program requirement for permanent placement, enabling veterans to credit 320 hours towards the programs 640-hour requirement; and recent eligibility changes for Veterans Recruitment Appointments (VRA) to include disabled veterans, veterans who have received a campaign badge or medal, veterans who have received an Armed Forces service medal, or veterans released or discharged within three years of applying.

Director Springer also gave VSO representatives an update on OPM's newest Veteran Outreach Office which opened at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX in December 2006, offering returning veterans information and assistance for finding employment opportunities within the Federal civilian workforce. The Director also spoke of the success at a similar office at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where more than 1,000 service personnel have been counseled since December 2005, with more than 110 known hires in the public and private sectors. OPM is also looking to open additional Veteran Outreach Office at another hospital this year.

The Director also reminded VSO representatives to help spread the word regarding three upcoming career fairs at Fort Dix, NJ on February 28^th, and in San Antonio, TX on March 27^th and 28^th, to help recruit veterans into the Federal workforce.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.