veterans, spouses, and federal employment

VETERANS, SPOUSES, AND FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT

"Writing and Consulting...Our Services Get Clients Hired"

News Release, June 15, 2011OPM Director John Berry

"Through the President's Veterans Employment Initiative, OPM and our agency partners are helping tens of thousands of veterans and their families continue their legacy of service," said OPM Director John Berry. "These are some of the best, brightest and hardest-working Americans in the federal government. While we've accomplished a lot in the first year, too many veterans are still unemployed and we're going to keep pushing to do even better going forward."

News Release, June 15, 2011OPM Director John Berry (Cont.)

25.6 percent of total new hires across the federal government in FY 2010 were veterans. This is a 1.6 percentage point increase from FY 2009. Second, of the veterans hired in FY 2010, 23,140 are disabled veterans compared to 20,448 in FY 2009. This is a 1.2 percentage point increase.

Why is Veterans' Preference Important in the Federal Hiring Process?

Provides a veteran an advantage in Federal employment or special consideration for

appointmentBUT

Does not guarantee a veteran a job


Veterans' Preference vs Veterans

Not all veterans are eligible for Veterans' Preference Veterans need not have Veterans' Preference to gain

some hiring advantagesNot all people with Veterans' Preference are actually

veterans


When Veterans' Preference rules does NOT apply

Jobs in the Senior Executive ServicePositions for which Senate confirmation is requiredCertain medical occupations in the VA (title 38)Retirees at the rank of lieutenant commander

(major) or higher UNLESS they are disabledCPS or CP veterans do not “float to the top” for

scientific or professional jobs at or above GS-9*"Writing and

Consulting...Our Services Get Clients Hired"*Except GS-1102, Contracting.

Types of Veterans' Preference

CPS: disability of 30% or moreCP: disability of at least 10% but less than 30%TP: Served at specific time and not disabledXP: – Served any time and has a present service-connected

disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits or pension but does not qualify as CP or CPS

– Received a purple heart– Eligible spouse, mother, widow/widower

Note: National Defense Authorization Act of 2006 allows applicants who have not previously claimed preference to contact DEU to give them preference now before submitting proof of eligibility.

Preference and Federal Rating and Ranking

A qualified veteran receives added points advantage during theFederal rating and ranking process

• 5 Point Preference: Five points are added to passing examination score or rating for designated periods served.

• 10 Point Disability Preference: Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of veteran who served at any time AND has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least ten percent but less than 30 percent.

• 10 Point 30 Percent Disability Preference: Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a veteran who served at any time and has a compensable service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Preference and Federal Rating and RankingContinued

• 10 Point Disability Preference (XP): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a veteran who served at any time and has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs but does not qualify as a CP or CPS; ORa veteran who received a Purple Heart

Preference and Federal Rating and RankingContinued

•10 Point Derived Preference (XP): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, widows, widowers, or mothers of veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including widow or widower) may be entitled to preference on the basis of the same veteran’s service if they both meet the requirements. Neither, may receive preference if the veteran is living and is qualified for Federal employment.

SPECIAL NOTE

When agencies use a numerical rating and ranking system to determine the best qualified applicants for a position, an additional 5 or 10 points are added to the numerical score of qualified preference eligible veterans

When an agency does not use a numerical rating system, preference eligibles ,who have a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (CPS, CP) are placed at the top of the highest category on the referral list (except for scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). XP and TP preference eligibles are placed above non-preference eligibles within their assigned category.

You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15 [152 KB]) "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference."

30%+ Disabled

Veteran with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more

Position vacancy need not be announced Meet minimum qualifications, including

written test, if applicable No grade level limitation Appointed for 60 days or more, can be

converted to permanent at anytime


Special hiring authorities/programs for Veterans

Non-competitive appointment, (i.e., no competition, no rating and ranking, but must meet minimum qualifications)

Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) 30%+ Disabled Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Programs

Competitive Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA)


--VRA-- Eligibility:

Disabled (indefinite eligibility) Served on active duty during a war, campaign, or expedition (indefinite

eligibility)Awarded Armed Forces Service Medal (indefinite eligibility) Separated within the last 3 years

Position vacancy need not be announced Meet minimum qualifications; no rating and ranking GS 11 and below Training program required for those with less than 15 years education Appointment for 2 years; converted to permanent with satisfactory

performance Veterans’ preference rules apply if 2+ vets applied for same job


--Voc Rehab--

Enrolled for training or work experience program

Upon completion of training program agency may appoint noncompetitivelyPosition related to what the vet trained forNo vacancy announcement required


--VEOA--Eligibility:– A preference eligible, or– have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service, and – Honorably discharged

Position vacancy announced under internal merit promotion

Vacancy not limited to agency’s workforce

Rated best qualified to be referred and selected

Veterans preference rules do not apply

Career/career-conditional appointment


VEOA (Continued)Are Military Retirees Eligible?

Per the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, to receive preference, a veteran must have been discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). The veteran must also be eligible under one of the preference categories.

Military retirees at the rank of major, lieutenant commander, or higher are not eligible for preference in appointment unless they are disabled veterans.

Passing over a veteran

The same rules apply for competitive and excepted service

If a veteran is a 30%+ disabled (CPS):– Agency must notify

the veteranOPM

– Veteran has 15 days to respond to OPM– OPM approves/disapproves pass over

If a veteran is NOT a 30%+ disabled:– Agency approves


Important tidbits

10-point vets may file an application at anytime

180-day restriction of military retirees in DOD can be waived by SecDef, or during national emergency

– CURRENT SITUATION: “…For the duration of the national emergency, Department of the Army appointing authorities may appoint retired members of the armed forces without processing a 180-day waiver…..) (SecDef Ltr September 27, 2001)


What to do if veterans rights are violated

If Veterans' Preference rights are violated: – File a complaint with the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment

and Training Service (VETS) . – After VETS, can appeal to MSPB

If discriminated against because of disability: – File a complaint with EEOC

Or, contact OPM


TIP

To maximize chances of landing a Federal job

Make sure vet is considered under ALL hiring methods/authorities/programs for which eligible


Military Spouse Employment Rights and Preference


Military Spouse Preference And Employment Opportunities

There are various opportunities available to Military Spouses.

• DoD Military Spouse Preference Program (Status and Non-Status Candidates)

• Non-competitive Appointment for Military Spouses• 2010 Military Spouse Intern Program• Derived Veterans Preference

Military Spouse Preference (MSP)

• Derived from Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1784, Employment Opportunities for Military Spouses

• Applies to spouses of active duty military members of the Army Forces, including Coast Guard, who relocate to accompany their sponsor on a permanent change of station move.

MSP APPLIES IF:

• The spouse was married to the military sponsor prior to the reporting date to the new assignment

• The relocation was based on PCS move and not for separation or retirement

• The vacancy is within the commuting area of the sponsor’s permanent new duty station

• The spouse is among the “best qualified” group and is within reach for selection.

Military Spouse Employment Preference Military spouses who are current or former Federal employees are

referred for vacancies within the U.S., its territories, and possessions, through the DoD PPP Program (S).

Eligibility requirements: Current Federal career or career conditional employee Veterans Readjustment Authority (VRA) employee or Schedule appointed for persons

with disabilities Reinstatement eligible Returning from Overseas

Under PPP, eligibility continues from 30 days prior to the sponsor’s reporting date throughout he tour until the spouse accepts or declines a continuing (lasting one year or longer) appropriated or non-appropriated fund position with any Federal agency in the local commuting area.


Spouses Not Eligible For Consideration Through PPP

Eligible for MP hiring preference when applying for DoD positions in the U.S. or in foreign areas through the Office of Personnel Management or a DoD Delegated Examining Office (DEU) competitive examination.

Hiring preference only applies to the specific announcement under which the spouse is applying and only if that list is used to fill the position.

Spouses applying for positions in foreign areas (not through OPM or DEU) receive MSP hiring preference consideration under procedures established by the local activity.

These spouses may file applications for employment with the overseas Human Resources Office 30 days before their anticipated arrival; however, they may not receive preference until actually arriving at the overseas location.


Documents Required

All spouses must submit the following:• Application or Resume• Statement Requesting Preference• Copy of Military Sponsor’s PCS Orders

Spouses who are current or former permanent Federal employees or who are returning from overseas employment must also submit:

• Copy of Standard Form 50 (SF 50) documenting current or previous appointments, and

• Copy of last performance appraisal

Application ProceduresCIVIL SERVICE (APPROPRIATED FUND) CIVIL SERVICE (NON-APPROPRIATED FUND)

Filled through the Human Resources Office on military installations. Spouse preference is available for positions in grades GS-15 and below or equivalent wage grade positions. Certain positions, such as DoD school teachers and intelligence related activities may be excluded.

Filled by the NAF human resources office on your military installation. MSP applies to NAF positions at grades NF-3 and below (or equivalent grade levels). NAF positions include jobs at military exchanges, recreation facilities, restaurants, and other NAF activities.

Create an application within the applicable resume building web-site, i.e., http://www.cpol.army.mil.Have an appointability or eligibility in the civil service system.Current or previous work experience in the Federal government (AF or NAF) or military service

File an application with the Installation NAF Human Resources Office, unless a web-site alternative is available.Attach a copy of your sponsor's PCS orders.Hiring office may want a written statement requesting MSP.

You must apply for Program "S", the Priority Placement Program for military spouses. This is the only way you can exercise your military spouse preference for an AF position within CONUS. You can apply for the "S" Program through the local civilian human resources office.

Noncompetitive Appointment For Certain Military Spouses

Executive Order 13473, September 11, 2009 Federal agencies may hire “qualified” military spouses without going

through the competitive process Not limited to specific positions or grade levels Use of this authority is discretionary with agencies and hiring managers No hiring preference is afforded and no entitlement is present Internal vacancy announcement will stipulate discretion for authority Applicant must apply and request consideration under this authority To be considered, must apply through a merit promotion

announcement (no need to register with DOD HRO) Permanent, term, or temporary

Only one permanent appointment/No limit on term or temporary appointments


Which Military Spouses Are Eligible For Noncompetitive Appointment

PCS – Relocating with sponsor to new duty station, limited to geographic area of orders, copy of PCS orders, proof of marriage, eligibility exists for two years

Disability of Service Member – Spouse of retired military member with 100% disability or retired or released service members with 100% disability rating from the VA or applicable branch of service.


Which Military Spouses Are Eligible For Noncompetitive Appointment (cont.)

Death of Service member – Service member killed on activity duty, surviving spouse must be un-remarried, no geographic restrictions, proof of service member’s death and proof of marriage.


HOW TO USE THE NONCOMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT PROGRAM WHEN APPLYING FOR A FEDERAL JOB ON

USAJOBS

Step 1 Eligibility section of USAJOBS search page.

Check off YES to the last question.

A person with non-competitive appointment eligibility? No___ Yes

Step 2 Find your documentation that you will need to

prove eligibility and upload into USAJOBS, applicationmanager.gov or other online

application system

For example, to confirm eligibility the hiring agency must verify the individual has a valid marriage certificate or other documentation verifying marriage (such as any official documentation verifying a recognized common law marriage). In addition, the service member's spouse must be authorized on the military orders assigning the service member to a certain post.

Step 3 Add to your resume – make your Appointment

eligibility stand out

Anna S. Ward 1347 Elliott Way / Annapolis, MD 21225

Cellular: 410-444-4444 / Residence: 410-444-4444 Email: [email protected]

Eligible: Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses,5 CFR Parts 315 and 316Veterans Preference: None or 10-points derived preference (if eligible)

Step 4 Find Federal jobs on USAJOBS that will consider

your Noncompetitive appointment

Find any job listed on USAJOBS for any grade level, and any type of position. It is up to the agency and the human resources office to review the documentation for the Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military spouses. Provide the documentation and maybe it will help you stand out above other candidates. The following Q&A came from this excellent DOD website:

http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/qaspouse/index.aspx

Step 5Find Federal jobs through Family Support Offices/ employment Readiness Offices and

TAP classes

Federal agency human resources recruiters can advise the family support Offices, Employment Readiness Offices and TAP classes about positions for spouses.

A NONCOMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT IS IN YOUR HANDS!

The Noncompetitive Appointment for Certain Military Spouses could be a hiring consideration program that could help you begin and manage a stable, quality and career position with the US Federal Government. There are no guarantees. It is simply a marketing opportunity to utilize your status as a military spouse to improve your military family lifestyle and your own career. Your dedication to your military spouse and family is valued and respected. Your career is important. The Federal government provides the best positions / careers in the nation and hopefully you can land one of them through this program and your own advocacy while a member of a military family.

Derived Veterans’ Preference (XP)(Variation Of Veterans Preference)

Spouse of a disabled veteran who is unable to work because of a service-connected disability

Mother of a veteran who died or permanently disabled while on active duty during a war, campaign, or expedition

Unmarried widow or widower of a veteran who died while on active duty during a war, campaign, or expedition

Adds 10 points to earned score under competitive examination


2010 Military Spouse Intern Program

• 200 National Defense Authorization Act (Section 564) authorized pilot program to secure internships for military spouses with Federal agencies

• DoD will reimburse Federal agencies for first year salary, benefits, and training costs if an eligible military spouse is appointed to a permanent position offering training and career progression.

• Ideally, the positions will be potable to accommodate the constant geographic relocation of a spouse

Eligibility

All spouses of ACTIVE duty service members except:• Spouse who is legally separated from service member when the person

begins the internship• Spouse who is also a member of the Armed Forces on active duty• Spouse who is retired member of the Armed Forces

LETS SEE WHAT WE CAN FIND

See if you can find a announcement that provides for an opportunity for

noncompetitive appointment for certain military spouses.

Discuss how you would advise a client in this regard.

More Information?

The military spouse website provides additional information and helpful resources for hiring managers, agencies, and military spouses to understand the process and address questions.

Link for more information:

http://www.cpms.osd.mil/MilSpouseInternship.aspx

SUMMARY:

Why is the Consultation Process Important? One-on-one opportunity for dialogue between the client and our

company. Client opportunity to explain their education, experience, and concerns. Explore the wealth of information contained OPM web-site Review salary/wages mechanism Review classification families and standards as they relate to the client's

experience, education, and goals. Review qualification standards as they relate to the client's experience,

education, and goals Explore USAJobs and its processes and specific vacancy announcements as

they relate to the client's experience, education, and goals Explain and discuss available client services.


FEDERAL CAREER COUNSELLING JOB CONSULTATION WORKSHOP

HANDS ON PRACTICE CONDUCTING A CONSULTATION

PAIR UP IN GROUPS OF TWO

UTILIZE KNOWLEDGE GAINED THUS FAR TO GUIDE YOUR CLIENT TOWARD A SUCCESSFUL END

GROUP WRAP UP PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION


FEDERAL SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Complex but simplified Climate changes with administration agenda President Obama’s Hiring Reform Initiative Specific types of appointments Veteran Preference Spouse Hiring Preferences and Appointments Merit system principles


ARMED FOR SUCCESS

Good Luck to all of you and thanks so much for attending

Attention to Detail and Persistence are Imperative To Success
