Employment Opportunities for Veterans
Employment Opportunities for Veterans
Background:
On November 9, 2009 President Obama signed Executive Order (EO) 13518, Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government, which establishes the Veterans Employment Initiative. The initiative outlines a strategy to help the men and women who have served in our country's military find employment in the Federal Government. It also underscores the importance of aligning the talents of these individuals with key positions in Federal agencies so that government is better positioned to meet mission objectives and citizens are better served.
CMS is proud to have been named one of Forbes' Best Employers for Veterans in 2020.
Resource for Federal Resume tips, USA Jobs Applications, and more!
Please watch our Federal Hiring 360 Webinar: A Guide Federal Employment for the Military Community. This informational webinar is geared specifically for those in the military community (Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, Military Spouses, etc.), and seeks to inform job seekers on various topics regarding the Federal recruitment process, including federal resumes, the federal application process, (virtual) interviewing tips, and building your brand on LinkedIn.
Upcoming Veteran Events
In an effort to attract and hire the honorable men and women who have served our country proudly, CMS is participating in the following upcoming veteran-focused recruitment events:
Recruit Military Eastern Virtual Career Fair: October 18, 2022
Military Spouse Career Expo: October 12, 2022
Click here to watch a previously recorded webinar geared specifically for veterans covering Federal resumes, the Federal application process, effective interviewing, social media, and more!
Mission:
The Veteran Employment Outreach Program was created in accordance with Executive Order 13518, Veteran Employment Initiative by President Barack Obama. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recognizes the sacrifices made by veterans and seeks to employ veterans in accordance with the initiative. As such, CMS is proud to support the hiring of those who have honorably served our country. We are committed to the employment of veterans by using the special hiring authorities described below.
Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans:
- 30% or more Disabled Veteran Appointment Authority
- Military Spouses
- Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA)
- Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
30% or more Disabled Veteran Appointment Authority
Purpose
The 30% or More Disabled Veteran Hiring Authority enables agencies to appoint an eligible candidate to any position for which he or she is qualified, without competition. The candidate does not need to apply to a vacancy announcement via USAJobs, but must meet the basic qualification requirements for the position. There is no grade-level limitation for this authority. Initial appointments are time-limited, for at least 60 days; however, candidates can be noncompetitively converted to permanent status at any time during the time-limited appointment.
Eligibility Requirements
Disabled veterans who were retired from active military service with a service connected disability rating of 30% or more; and Disabled veterans that have a rating by the Department of Veteran Affairs showing a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more.
How to Apply
- Visit USA Jobs to review CMS’ open vacancies, and apply online to any positions of interest.
- Ensure that you notate your 30% or more Veteran eligibility on your USA Jobs profile and all applications.
- Make your resume searchable on USA Jobs so agencies who are sourcing for candidates can find you.
- Use the “Open to the Public” as well as the “Veterans” hiring paths on USA Jobs to search for positions.
- Follow the instructions below to request non-competitive consideration for a specific vacancy announcement.
Secondary application option - Consideration for a specific vacancy announcement
Eligible candidates who identify a position of interest via a vacancy announcement on www.USAJobs.gov may request non-competitive consideration outside of the traditional application process. Candidates must submit an application package to the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement, with a subject line noting the Vacancy Announcement number. (Ex. CMS-ABCD-DE-16-1234567)
The body of the email should include language requesting 30% or more Disabled Veteran Hiring Authority consideration for the position.
An application package MUST contain: 1) a detailed resume, 2) Compensable disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs, 3) Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214 Form), Member-4 Copy (or copy showing character of discharge), 4) transcripts (if positive education required or qualifying through education substitution), and 5) cover letter (optional).
Failure to submit all required documentation or include the vacancy announcement number in the subject line will result in loss of consideration for the position. Once applications are reviewed, a Human Resources Specialist will respond directly with a qualifications determination, and referral status (i.e. referred to hiring manger). Separate emails are required for each position in which a candidate is requesting consideration.
Military Spouses
Purpose
The Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointing Authority allows agencies to appoint certain military spouses without using traditional competitive examining procedures. Agencies can choose to use this authority when filling competitive service positions on a temporary (not to exceed 1 year), term (more than 1 year but not more than 4 years), or permanent basis. The authority does not entitle spouses to an appointment over any other applicant– it is used at the discretion of an agency.
Eligibility Requirements
In accordance with revised 5 U.S.C. 3330d(b), the head of an agency may now appoint noncompetitively: the spouse of a member of the armed forces on active duty, the spouse of a 100 percent disabled member of the armed forces, or the spouse of a deceased member of the armed forces.
How to Apply
- Visit USA Jobs to review CMS’ open vacancies, and apply online to any positions of interest.
- Ensure that you notate your Military Spouse eligibility on your USA Jobs profile and all applications.
- Make your resume searchable on USA Jobs so agencies who are sourcing for candidates can find you.
- Use the “Open to the Public” as well as the “Military Spouse” hiring paths on USA Jobs to search for positions.
- Follow the instructions below to request non-competitive consideration for a specific vacancy announcement.
Secondary application option - Consideration for a specific vacancy announcement
Eligible spouses who identify a position of interest via a vacancy announcement on www.USAJobs.gov that is open to the general public or government-wide, may request non-competitive consideration outside of the traditional application process. Candidates must submit an application package to the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement, with a subject line noting the Vacancy Announcement number. (Ex. CMS-ABCD-DE-16-1234567)
The body of the email should include language requesting Military Spouse consideration for the position.
An application package MUST contain: 1) a detailed resume, and 2) supporting documentation to prove eligibility based on the appropriate spousal category.
Failure to submit all required documentation or include the vacancy announcement number in the subject line will result in loss of non-competitive consideration for the position. Once applications are reviewed, a Human Resources Specialist will respond directly with a qualifications determination, and referral status (i.e. referred to hiring manger). Separate emails are required for each position in which a candidate is requesting consideration.
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA)
Purpose
The Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998, as amended (VEOA) is a competitive service appointing authority that can only be used when filling permanent, competitive service positions. It allows eligible veterans to apply to vacancy announcements that are only open to so called "status" candidates, which means "current competitive service employees." Candidates may find these types of announcements on www.USAJobs.gov typically referred to as Merit Promotion announcements. VEOA candidates are eligible when the agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran’s latest discharge must be issued under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge), AND the candidate must be either:
- A preference eligible (defined in title 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)), OR
- A veteran who substantially completed 3 or more years of active service.
When applying under VEOA, eligible veterans must rate and rank among the best qualified when compared to current employee applicants in order to be considered for appointment.
How to Apply
- Visit USA Jobs to review CMS’ open vacancies, and apply online to any positions of interest.
- Ensure that you notate your 30% or more Veteran eligibility on your USA Jobs profile and all applications.
- Make your resume searchable on USA Jobs so agencies who are sourcing for candidates can find you.
- Use the “Open to the Public” as well as the “Veterans” hiring paths on USA Jobs to search for positions.
- Follow the instructions below to request non-competitive consideration for a specific vacancy announcement.
Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
Purpose
The VRA is a special authority by which agencies can appoint an eligible veteran without competition up to the GS-11 level. The candidate does not need to apply to a vacancy announcement via USAJobs, but must meet the basic qualification requirements for the position. VRA appointees are initially hired for a 2-year period. Successful completion of the 2-year VRA appointment leads to a permanent civil service appointment.
Eligibility Requirements
Those eligible for VRA are:
- Disabled veterans; or
- Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; or
- Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded; or
- Veterans separated from active duty within the past 3 years.
There is no minimum service requirement, but the individual must have served on active duty, not active duty for training. Veterans’ Preference applies to applicant pools.
How to Apply
- Visit USA Jobs to review CMS’ open vacancies, and apply online to any positions of interest.
- Ensure that you notate your 30% or more Veteran eligibility on your USA Jobs profile and all applications.
- Make your resume searchable on USA Jobs so agencies who are sourcing for candidates can find you.
- Use the “Open to the Public” as well as the “Veterans” hiring paths on USA Jobs to search for positions.
- Follow the instructions below to request non-competitive consideration for a specific vacancy announcement.
Additional Veteran Resources
Feds Hire Vets - An all-inclusive website devoted to the hiring of veterans by federal government agencies.
Vet Guide - A comprehensive guide dedicated to explaining Veteran's preference, special Veteran hiring authorities, and additional Veteran employment benefits.
ebenefits - A one stop shop for benefits-related online tools and information for Wounded Warriors, Veterans, Service Members, and Family of Service Members.
VETS - Veteran's Employment and Training Service (U.S. Department of Labor)
Hiring Heroes - Hiring Heroes was launched in 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help Veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. To date Hiring Heroes hosts career fairs nationwide.
Veterans' Preference Overview - Overview page describing the varying levels of veterans' preference within federal hiring.
Veterans’ Preference Advisor - A tool to provided by the U.S. Department of Labor to assist veterans in identifying what type of veterans' preference they receive.
Additional Veteran Resources and Contacts may be found here (PDF)
Page Last Modified:
09/10/2024 06:06 PM