Disabled Veteran Program
Federal agencies have the authority, by law, to give noncompetitive appointments to any veteran who has a service-connected disability of 30% or more. Like the VRA, this authority is discretionary with the agency.
Who Is Eligible
To be eligible you must be a disabled veteran who has a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more and the disability must be officially documented by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Grade Level Of Jobs That Can Be Filled
This authority covers all grade levels and occupations.
Conditions Of Employment
You must serve initially under a temporary appointment not limited to 60 days or less. After successfully performing on such a temporary appointment, the Federal agency may convert you to a permanent position.
Conditions Of Qualifications
You must meet all qualification requirements for any position to which you are appointed. This could include the requirement to achieve a passing score on a written test.
How To Apply: You should contact the Federal agency personnel office where you are interested in working to find out about opportunities. Agencies recruit candidates and make appointments directly. As a part of your application package, you will need a copy of a letter dated within the last 12 months from the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense certifying receipt of compensation for a service-connected disability of 30% or more.
Veteran's Preference
Veteran's preference is provided to separated military members under the following conditions:
- Five point veteran's preference is granted to veterans who separated with an honorable discharge (or under honorable conditions) from the Armed Forces after more than 180 days of active duty, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976, or after service during a war or in a campaign for which a campaign badge has been authorized.
- Veterans who entered active duty after October 14, 1976 may be eligible for five point veteran's preference if they received a campaign badge or expeditionary medal.
- Ten point veteran's preference is granted to disabled veterans and veterans awarded the Purple Heart, and certain spouses, widows, mothers of veterans.
- Non-disabled veterans who retire at or above the rank of major are not eligible for veterans preference.
When referral is made from external recruitment sources, such as the Office of Personnel Management Certificates, Veteran's Readjustment Appointment or outside the register authority for temporary appointment, candidates are ranked and referred in veterans preference order. This order of referral often restricts your ability to select. Normally, veterans preference eligibles, ahead of nonpreference eligibles on a referral list, must be selected prior to nonpreference eligibles.
Veteran's preference provides for hiring preference on initial appointment only. Employees with veterans preference compete equally with all other candidates for subsequent in-house positions. In addition to preference in hiring, employees with veterans preference who are not retired military, have higher retention standing than others for reduction-in-force purposes.
Veteran's Readjustment Authority
The VRA is a special authority by which agencies can, if they wish, appoint an eligible veteran without competition. The candidate does not have to be on a list of eligible individuals, but must meet the basic qualification requirements for the position. The VRA is a convenient method of appointment for both the agency and the veteran. However, use of the authority is entirely discretionary and no one is entitled to a VRA appointment. VRA appointees initially are hired for a 2-year period. Successful completion of the 2-year VRA appointment leads to a permanent civil service appointment.
Service Requirements
You must have served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days which occurred after August 4, 1964, and received other than a dishonorable discharge. Active duty is full-time duty in the Armed Forces, other than active duty for training. You do not need to serve more than 180 days of active duty, if you were discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability. Reserve and Guard members do not need to serve more than 180 days of active duty if: (1) they were ordered to active duty under section 672(a), 672(d), 672(g), 673, or 673(b) of Title 10, and (2) their active duty was during a period of war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge is authorized. For VRA eligibility, the term "period of war" includes Desert Storm/Shield, beginning August 2, 1990. No ending date has been set.
Time Limit
Eligible post-Vietnam era veterans qualify for 10 years after the date of your last discharge or release from active duty or until December 31, 1999, whichever is later. Eligible Vietnam era veterans (those who served on active duty between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975) qualify until 10 years after your last discharge or separation from active duty or until December 1995, whichever is later. Eligible veterans with a service-connected disability of 30% or more have no time limit.
Training Requirement
If you are selected for a VRA and have less than 15 years of education, you must agree to participate in a training or educational program.
Grade Level Of Jobs That Can Be Filled
Agencies can use the VRA authority to fill white-collar positions up through GS-11 and equivalent jobs under other pay systems.
Conditions Of Employment
Veterans Readjustment Appointments are in the excepted service. After two years of substantially continuous service under a Veterans Readjustment Appointment, providing your performance has been satisfactory, your appointment shall be converted to the competitive service.
How To Apply
You should contact the Federal agency personnel office where you are interested in working to find out about VRA opportunities. Agencies recruit candidates and make VRA appointments directly. For a list of local agency personnel offices consult your telephone directory under "U.S. Government" for the nearest location and telephone number.
