Veterans’
Preference and Special Hiring Authorities
Narrator: The federal
government values the skills and experience that Veterans bring to the
workplace. For that reason, Veterans who meet certain criteria receive special
consideration when seeking federal employment. This special consideration is
called Veterans’ Preference.
It’s
important to note that not all Veterans are eligible for Veterans’ Preference.
Only those who:
Veterans’
Preference has two categories: 5 point and 10 point.
Veterans with
5 point preference must have served on active duty during specific dates. And
they don’t have any service-connected disabilities.
Veterans who
qualify for 10 point preference have service-connected disabilities or were
awarded the Purple Heart.
How do
Veterans prove eligibility in these two categories? The most important document
is the DD214, the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If
claiming 10 point preference, Veterans need to submit the SF-15, Application
for 10-Point Veterans’ Preference, to document any disabilities.
Veterans who
qualify for Veterans’ Preference may be appointed ― without competition from
other job seekers-―-to some positions. This is called direct hiring.
To qualify
Veterans for direct hire, federal hiring managers use specific guidelines…
Joe: I served in
the Army for 15 years. An injury during my last deployment forced me to retire
from active duty service. The Army and Department of Veterans Affairs rate my
injuries as a 30% service-connected disability. Am I eligible for Veterans’
Preference?
Narrator: With proper
documentation, Joe can be appointed to a position at any grade level through
direct hiring.
Veterans,
like Joe, who seek preference as 30% or More Disabled are eligible if they:
Nancy: I have a
disability and am able to perform the duties of many federal positions. Would I
be eligible for Veterans’ Preference?
Narrator: With proper
documentation, Nancy may qualify for Schedule A Appointing Authority. This
provision allows for Veterans with severe physical, psychological or
intellectual disabilities to be placed in federal positions.
Veterans must
provide documented proof of disabilities from an authorized agent.
They must
also present documents that certify
Veterans Job Readiness and the ability to perform the job’s duties.
Eligible
Veterans:
Are
disabled OR
Served
on active duty during a war declared by Congress OR
Served
on active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a badge has been
authorized OR
Participated
in a military operation for which the Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded OR
Separated
from active duty within the past three years
Veterans’
Preference is a powerful hiring tool that can help Veterans enter the federal
workforce. Veteran job seekers are encouraged to visit w-w-w dot VA for Vets
dot VA dot gov to learn more.