Empowering Veterans: VECS Employment Coordination Service

1. BeAHERO. Again. Veterans Employment Coordination ServiceBriefing toAdvisory Committee on Women Veterans Dennis O. May, Director

2. Overview • Background • Mission • Activities • Comm/Marketing Plan • VECS Success • Contact Info

3. Background • Veterans comprise approximately 30% of VA’s 288,000 employees, and 8% are service-connected disabled veterans • VA ranks first among non-Defense agencies in the hiring of disabled veterans; second only to the Department of Defense in overall number of veterans

4. Background • November 2007 – Acting VA Secretary announced the hiring of 10 full-time Regional Veterans Employment Coordinators (VECs) • January 2008 – Veterans Employment Coordination Service (VECS) office established • July 2008 – VECS fully staffed

5. Mission Statement • Lead Department efforts to attract, recruit, and hire veterans into the VA, particularly severely injured veterans. • Open opportunities to Veteran employment and ensure that Veterans are able to successfully enter VA’s workforce. • Help ensure that VA managers and supervisors are thoroughly familiar with the use of special authorities to hire veterans.

6. VECS ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

7. Regional VEC Locations 2 8 9 3 5 7 1 6 4 *Plus Over 160 Local VECs at HR offices Nationwide

8. VECS Activities • Partner with Veteran stakeholders to promote VA career opportunities • Outreach to veterans, particularly severely injured veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan • Maintain a constant presence at: • Military career fairs • Transition assistance centers • Outreach events

9. VECS Activities (cont’d) • Manage Local VECs and assist in their efforts to establish partnerships and collaborate with: • Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Services • Marine Corps’ Wounded Warrior Regiment • Army’s Wounded Warrior Program & Warrior Transition Units • Veterans Service Organizations • Other veteran stakeholders

10. Comm/Marketing Plan • Developed and Distributed 50,000 Brochures and 500 Posters • Published Secretary’s Memo highlighting VA’s Commitment (Re-issue pending) • Published “Call-to Action” Memo (Re-issue pending) • Sent Direct Contact Memo to over 2300 Severely Injured Veterans • 688 Responses • Launched VECS Website at, www.va.gov/vecs • Showcased during Diversity News & Diversity Newsletter

11. Comm/Marketing Plan • Produced VECS Informational DVD • Distributed to HR VA-wide • Featured on VA News Network • Available for Viewing on the Internet • http://www.va.gov/vecs (Getting Vets Hired) • Feature Cover Story for VA’s VAnguard magazine (Sep/Oct) • Other features: • GI Jobs • Diversity Careers • WHUR Radio (DC Tri-state area)

12. Comm/Marketing Plan

13. Comm/Marketing Plan

14. VECS Success – FY 09 • Veterans Contacted: 70,071 • Employment Service Provided: • Introduction to VA Careers 4218 • Skills, Qualifications & Career Match 3652 • Training and Development Counseling 2921 • Collaborate w/VR&E Service 1573 • Resume Review & Assistance 4323 • Writing KSA's 2138 • Federal Application 4027 • USA Staffing 887 Placement Assistance 746 Total 24,485 Veteran Hires (RVEC): 200+

15. “At a time when members of the Armed Forces continue to defend this great Nation, it is imperative that we honor their service by enhancing our collective efforts in the area of Veteran employment. It is not only good business; it is the right thing to do.” The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, VA Secretary

16. Contact Information Dennis O. May, Director Veterans Employment Coordination Service Dennis.May@va.gov (202)461-5063 Greg Alleyne, Deputy Director Veterans Employment Coordination Service Greg.Alleyne@va.gov (202)461-6997 To contact VECS, send email to: VECS@va.gov For more information visit: www.va.gov/VECS

17. Region 1 Name: Mr. Michael LewPhone: (858) 642-3807 (Work) Address: VA Medical Center San Diego                3350 La Jolla Village Drive               Building 22, Room 104 San Diego, CA 92161 Region 2 Name: Robert Lee MortensonPhone: (206) 220-6124 extension: 3484Address: Department of Veterans Affairs               Veterans Affairs Medical Center               915 Second Avenue               Seattle, WA 98174 Region 3 Name: Name: Mark BerningerPhone: (719) 526-8689 Cell:    (303) 330-8435Address: Department of Veterans Affairs 1620 Evans Street, Building 1219 Room: 111Fort Carson, CO 80913 RVEC Contact Information Region 5 Name: Gilbert StubbsPhone: (502) 287-4615 (Work)            (502) 432-9656 (Cell)Address: VA Medical Center, 001D               800 Zorn Ave,               Louisville, KY 40206 Region 6 Name: Annette TaylorPhone: (706) 210-5912 (Work) Address: Seamless Transition Center, Heroes Village               A -115 Augusta West Parkway               Augusta, GA 30909 Region 4 Name: VacantPhone: Address: To contact VECS, send email to: VECS@va.gov For more information visit: www.va.gov/VECS Region 7 Name: Thomas GreenPhone: (800) 771-6106 extension: 5886 Cell:     (910) 368-1267Address: Veterans Affairs Medical Center               2300 Ramsey Street               PWC Building, (Stop 04)               Fayetteville, NC 28314 Region 8 Name: Andree M. SuttonPhone: (212) 807-3120 (Work)Address: Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office               245 W. Houston St., Room 303                New York, NY 10014-4805 Region 9 Name: VacantPhone: Address:

18. Questions?