Federal Hiring Process
The federal government’s hiring process is very different from the private sector’s hiring process. When applying for federal jobs, Veterans may be eligible to take advantage of hiring preferences and secure employment more quickly. What do you need to know?
Additional Resources for Special Hiring Authorities
- OCHCO Bulletin - Schedule A Hiring Authority Responsibilities Under 5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)
- Housekeeping Aids PACT Act
Warriors to Workforce
The Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy (VAAA), Warriors to Workforce cohort will begin in January 2024.
Qualifications are as follows:
Candidates for the program must have a high school diploma (or equivalent) and minimal college credits.
Candidates must be eligible for hire under the Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA) Authority.
VRA Eligibility:
Disabled Veteran: or Veteran with active duty during a war, or during time when a campaign badge is authorized; or Veteran who received an Armed Forces Services Medal; or recently separated Veteran (typically within the last three years) AND separated under honorable conditions.
Conditions of employment for this program:
Flexibility to travel on TDY for in-person training in Frederick, Md.
Must sign a Continuing Service Agreement (CSA) to maintain employment with the VA for a period of 18 months after training completion.
Must sign a Mobility Statement to participate in the program. Final job placement will be at a VA contracting organization within the U.S. (location based on needs of the VA).
If you are interested in applying to the W2W program, please send your updated resume to vaaaw2w@va.gov.
If you need more information about the Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy, please click the link Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy (VAAA)
VA Transition Assistance
It’s never too early to start learning about the VA benefits you and your family may earn throughout your military career. Whether you are an active duty Service member or a member of the National Guard or Reserve, we are here to help you succeed. Click on the button below that best describes you to start exploring the VA benefits and resources you may be eligible for.
Find VA Locations by State
Find VA locations near you with our facility locator tool. You can search for your nearest VA medical center as well as other health facilities, benefit offices, cemeteries, community care providers and Vet Centers. You can also filter your results by service type to find locations that offer the specific service you’re looking for.
Need same-day care for a minor illness or injury? Search for your nearest VA health facility. Or find VA-approved urgent care locations and pharmacies near you.
VA Benefits and Participant Guide
This guide will help you understand VA benefits, services, and tools that you have earned through your service to our country. The information included pertains to all members of the armed forces, including members of the National Guard and Reserve Components.
Veteran Employment Toolkit
Employment is an important issue for Veterans. Helping Veterans find and obtain employment, as well as advance their civilian careers is a high priority. This toolkit is designed to provide you with answers and resources in finding and obtaining employment, as well as making career decisions and excelling in the workplace. A full version of this Resources for Veterans (Handout) list is available for print and download.
VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
For Veterans and Servicemembers
You may receive Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services to help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment. Click on the "How to Apply" tab to learn more and apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services.
VA's Education and Career Counseling program is a great opportunity for Veterans and Servicemembers to get personalized counseling and support to help guide their career paths, ensure the most effective use of their VA benefits, and achieve their goals. Learn more and apply for education and career counseling.
VA Solid Start Toolkit
VA is committed to supporting every service member transitioning from service. To welcome you to VA, we want to inform you about available programs and services from home loans, health care, employment, to mental health support. VA is here for you. Qualified VA representatives will be contacting you to help you better understand your benefits available to you and help you get a Solid Start on civilian life. VA is on the line – please take the call.
Federal Selective Placement Program Coordinators (Listed by Agency)
Most Federal agencies have a Selective Placement Program Coordinator (SPPC) who helps management recruit, hire, and accommodate people with disabilities. Managers develop, manage and evaluate the agency's Employment Program for Individuals with Disabilities. They are primarily located at agency headquarters and can provide information on coordinators in field offices. There is a full listing of Selective Placement Program Coordinators within every Federal agency who are able to assist individuals with disabilities and Veterans with disabilities in joining their agencies via the 30% or More Disabled or Schedule A special hiring authority preference for direct hire consideration. Please contact the agency SPPC representative you’re seeking employment with and inquire about consideration for open positions within these agencies.
VA Compensated Work Therapy Program
Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) is a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) clinical vocational rehabilitation program offered at every VA medical center.
Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW)
Prepare for your next mission by accessing services you may have earned under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) program and other VA training and career assistance programs. Make your move from military to civilian life a success and get the training you need to thrive in your next career. If you’re an employer, consider hiring our Veterans—they’ve got the strength, character, and skills that you’re looking for.
Non-Paid Work Experience
The VA Non-Paid Work Experience (NPWE) program provides eligible Veterans and Servicemembers with training and practical job experience. This program is ideal for Veterans and Servicemembers who have clear career goals. It’s also beneficial for those who learn well in a hands-on setting and may have had a hard time getting a job due to lack of experience.
Veterans Employment CenterTM (VECTM)
We can support you in all stages of your job search—from returning to work with a service-connected disability, to getting more training for new job opportunities, to starting or growing your own business. And, we can connect you with Department of Labor resources for more career advice, help building your resume, and access to employers who want to hire Veterans and military spouses. Find out how you can get the help you need to build your career and find the right job or business opportunity for you.
VET Success on Campus
VSOC provides on-campus Benefits assistance and counseling to help you complete your education and prepare to enter the labor market in a viable career. VSOC is available to anyone currently eligible for or receiving a VA Education Benefit or Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) training. This program:
- Provides VA Career Counseling Benefits at participating schools by placing professionally trained VA career counselors on many college campuses.
- Helps you get oriented into the campus environment and supports your education goals.
- Aims to see you graduate so you can go on to thrive in the career field and community of your choice.
Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP)
The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) offers education and training for high-demand jobs to Veterans who are unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What types of education and training programs does VRRAP cover?
VRRAP covers education and training programs approved under the GI Bill and Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) that lead to high-demand jobs. These include associate degrees, non-college degrees, and certificate programs. The Department of Labor determines what’s considered a high-demand job for VRRAP.
Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) High Demand Occupation List
Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) Fact Sheet
Skillbridge Program
DoD Skillbridge program provides our retiring and transitioning Service members the opportunity to participate in industry training programs while transitioning out of their Military careers. The DoD Military Covers Military pay and benefits during a Service member’s time in a Skillbridge program, providing invaluable experience for the Service member and the Industry Partner. The Department of Veterans Affairs is a Program Partner for the Skillbridge Program.
VA Skillbridge Introductory Guide
VA ICT Skillbridge Program
Intermediate Care Technician (ICT) - ICTs are advanced unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who have graduated from intensive specialized military medical training programs and served as combat medics, medical technicians, and corpsman. They possess fundamental knowledge, background and experience in emergency medicine, critical care, medical readiness, field medicine, bedside care, and primary care. This role provides a higher level of clinical support to both nursing and medicine.
ICT Program Mission and Vision - The ICT Program is designed to (1) allow ICTs to function in a health care role commensurate with their military education, training and experience without the need for a license or additional credential; (2) enhance quality of care and patient satisfaction among Veterans in multiple clinical settings and; (3) enable a path for ICTs to attain licensed professional roles through advanced education and clinical opportunities for long-term VA employment. (Please refer to the Military Occupational Specialty List)
OCHCO Bulletin: VA-001 DHA Extension
Warrior Training Advancement Course (WARTAC)
Warrior Training Advancement Course (WARTAC) is a skill-bridge education and employment opportunity for Wounded Warriors and transitioning Servicemembers to complete a national-level VBA training program while still on active duty. Successful completion of this training program leads to an employment opportunity at one of 55 VBA Regional Offices (ROs) around the country.
Participants learn the skill set of a rating Veteran service representative (RVSR) or Veteran service representative (VSR). The duration of the VSR class is 6 weeks and the duration of the RVSR class is 11 weeks.
VA Warriors To Workforce Intern Program
The Warriors to Workforce (W2W) Intern Program hires transitioning Veterans with a service-connected disability as federal employees, educates and transitions participants from the military into the business culture and, in the 2nd phase of the program, trains them for a career in federal contracting (AIP Program). Upon successful completion, our graduates are placed in acquisition offices around the country as a Contract Specialist, 1102 job series.
Detailed program information can be found here @ Warriors to Workforce Program - Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy (VAAA)
The Roles of Contract Specialists
1102 Contract Specialist Career Mapping
Educational and Career Counseling
If you’re leaving active service soon, find out how to get free educational and career counseling (also called Chapter 36).
OPM Federal Retirement Planning Services
Learn about retirement services to include your annuity and benefits available to assist you with planning your retirement from the day you enter the Federal government.
Reasonable Accommodation For Individuals With Disabilities
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
- An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Veterans with Disabilities
Disabled Veterans Affirmative Action Program (DVAAP)
EEOC Efforts for Veterans with Disabilities
Understanding Your Employment Rights Under the Americans with Disabilities Act: A Guide for Veterans
Veterans and the Americans with Disabilities Act: A Guide for Employers
Hiring Veterans with Disabilities in the Federal Government
Tips for Applicants with Disabilities Applying for Federal Jobs
Q&A: Promoting Employment of Individuals with Disabilities in the Federal Workforce
Homeless Veterans Community Employment Services
VA created Homeless Veterans Community Employment Services (HVCES) to improve employment outcomes for Veterans who have experienced homelessness. HVCES has deployed more than 150 Vocational Development Specialists who serve as Community Employment Coordinators (CECs), at most VA Medical Centers across the country. CECs are part of the VHA homeless program teams and are a bridge to community employment resources and employers ready to hire Veterans exiting homelessness. CECs benefit employers in the following ways:
- Pre-screen Veterans with a variety of skill sets and from all educational levels
- Refer job-ready Veteran candidates who are ready to work from day one for open positions
- Help facilitate hiring and onboarding
- Assist Veterans in applying their military experiences to civilian employment
CECs increase Veterans’ likelihood of employment success by connecting them to job-related resources and career opportunities and a range of supports from VA and the community, including health care, housing and social services. They also collaborate with VA and non-VA partners— Compensated Work Therapy, VR&E, American Job Centers, Department of Labor homeless Veteran grantees, workforce agencies, and faith-based and community organizations—to identify gaps in competitive employment services for homeless Veterans.
VA Homeless Programs
Mental Health Services
Our Veterans return from service with wounds we cannot always see. VA is committed to providing our Veterans with the mental health services they deserve. Too often, the emotional scars of service can contribute to Veteran homelessness or place Veterans at risk of homelessness. VA offers many mental health services for Veterans to help them get back on their feet.
Additional Information:
Benefits for National Guard and Reserve
YouTube VA Benefits for National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers
The following links are provided for more information about the VA Benefits Briefings:
The following links are provided for further external references:
United States Department of Labor*
Online Resource for Americans with Disabilities*
Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP)*
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*External Link Disclaimer: All the links marked with asterisk ( * ) are External links. By clicking on these links, you will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs Website.
