VETERANS, SPOUSES, AND FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT

1. VETERANS, SPOUSES, AND FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT "Writing and Consulting...Our Services Get Clients Hired"

2. 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."

3. 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.

4. Why is Veterans' Preference Important in the Federal Hiring Process? Provides a veteran an advantage in Federal employment or special consideration for appointment BUT Does not guarantee a veteran a job "Writing and Consulting...Our Services Get Clients Hired"

5. Veterans' Preference vs Veterans • Not all veterans are eligible for Veterans' Preference • Veterans need not have Veterans' Preference to gain some hiring advantages • Not all people with Veterans' Preference are actually veterans "Writing and Consulting...Our Services Get Clients Hired"

6. When Veterans' Preference rules does NOT apply • Jobs in the Senior Executive Service • Positions for which Senate confirmation is required • Certain medical occupations in the VA (title 38) • Retirees at the rank of lieutenant commander (major) or higher UNLESS they are disabled • CPS 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.

7. Types of Veterans' Preference • CPS: disability of 30% or more • CP: disability of at least 10% but less than 30% • TP: Served at specific time and not disabled • XP: • 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.

8. Preference and Federal Rating and Ranking A qualified veteran receives added points advantage during the Federal 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.

9. 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; OR a veteran who received a Purple Heart

10. Preference and Federal Rating and Ranking Continued • 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.

11. 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."

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

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

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

15. --Voc Rehab-- Enrolled for training or work experience program Upon completion of training program agency may appoint noncompetitively Position related to what the vet trained for No vacancy announcement required "Writing and Consulting...Our Services Get Clients Hired"

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

17. 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.

18. 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 veteran • OPM • Veteran has 15 days to respond to OPM • OPM approves/disapproves pass over • If a veteran is NOT a 30%+ disabled: • Agency approves "Writing and Consulting...Our Services Get Clients Hired"

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

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

21. TIP To maximize chances of landing a Federal job Make sure vet is considered under ALL hiring methods/authorities/programs for which eligible "Writing and Consulting...Our Services Get Clients Hired"

22. Military Spouse Employment Rights and Preference "Writing and Consulting...Our Services Get Clients Hired"

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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.

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

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

28. 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

29. Application Procedures

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

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

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

33. 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

34. 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.

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

36. 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

37. Step 5 Find 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.

38. 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.

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

40. 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

41. 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

42. 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.

43. 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

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

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

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

47. ARMED FOR SUCCESS Good Luck to all of you and thanks so much for attending Attention to Detail and Persistence are Imperative To Success "Writing and Consulting...Our Services Get Clients Hired"