Veteran's Preference and Hiring Authorities

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:28:34 -0400

The hiring process in the federal government is, let’s face is, a nightmare.

But just like in the military you should know the regulations and policies regarding the veterans hiring process. I always tell my friends, you have to be your own advocate.

Did you realize that there is a difference between the Hiring Authorities and Veterans Preference? And that not all vets qualify for them both…

Preference (5 or 10points system): This is the score that is ADDED to the passing scored for the assessment questionnaire on USAJOBS.
5pt (TP) – Served in a time of war (does not mean you had to deploy) for more than 180 days. There is a long list of dates on the website for times that correlate for the areas that are eligible.
10pt (XP) – Disability Pref- Vets with a service connected disability that is rated at 0% or purple heart recipient
10pt (XP) – Derived Pref- to CERTAIN family members if the veteran cannot work.
10pt (CP) - Veterans with a service connected disability rating between 10% and less than 30%.
10pt (CPS) – 30% or more disabled.

Veterans Specialized Hiring Authorities:

VEOA- can apply for competitive DEU and merit positions. No Grade limit– must have had served 3 years.

VRA – apply noncompetitively for positions up to GS-11 (or equivalent). You do not need to have a preference to qualify for VRA. To qualify you have to be disabled (0%-100% doesn’t matter), or served during a war/conflict/expedition, or awarded an Armed Forces Service Medal (yes, this also includes the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal), or recently separated Veterans.

30% + Disabled --- Noncompetitive recruitment – meaning the can hire you for a job you are qualified for without having posted the job to USAJOBs. No Grade limit. You can only have this hiring authority with preference (CPS).

http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/

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Vet Guide

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Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 22 at 2015 1:38 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:38:16 -0400

Of note, you can print of your Points preference letter at eBenefits.

The site is a nightmare to navigate. The password is a pain to remember (9 characters, #, letter, cap, special character, and no common dictionary words inside the password).

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 1:43 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:43:46 -0400

I actually spend a lot of my free time helping my old military buddies with USAJOBS stuff and application process now. If anyone needs help I am more than willing to give it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 22 at 2015 1:51 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:51:10 -0400

There are some VA hospitals that discriminate against veterans by asking interview questions completely unrelated to the job. In one case at the VA Indianapolis a manager did that to a veteran and fired a new worker, to shape the future for hiring her friend.

Response by SSG Everett Wilson made Apr 24 at 2015 8:28 PM

SSG Everett Wilson — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 20:28:12 -0400

Everytime I try to use Veteran's Preference, I get told that I have the experaince but not the education. I even applied for the Miltiary Department as an Admin Assit. (retired after 30years) not only did I not have the education, I had no experiance (trained 71L, 76D, 76Y, 76C, 92A and 92Y, even an Instructor for Supply). Sad they already have someone for the job, and they will not accept Veteran Prefeance

Response by SSG David Shifflett made Apr 29 at 2015 1:09 PM

SSG David Shifflett — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 13:09:03 -0400

After serving my country, I tried for 22 years at 60% disabled, IT worker with BS degrees in Information systems and Computer Science, Masters in Information Telecommunication System Engineering and Information Assurance, and worked the in Defense sector for those 22 years. Never even got a interview, or a phone call. I have more reject messages than "Carter has Pills". I have had resume writers, professional I know the way, and GS folks themselves try to help me. The monetary cost was in the thousands and time lost working on getting it right was better spent learning to surf or fly a plane. Bottom line, it luck, being at the right place and knowing the right folks. So, good luck.

Response by Sgt Darrin Momsen made Jul 31 at 2017 11:47 PM

Sgt Darrin Momsen — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 23:47:01 -0400

I appreciate the information in this article. I am trying figure out if I am eligible. I have a 0% rating, I earned Iraq and Afghanistan campaign ribons, I have an honorable discharge, 8 years and 3 months on AD. I have been separated for more than 36 months more like 70 months.