What it Provides:

This authority permits preference eligibles and certain eligible Veterans' the ability to compete for jobs that otherwise only would have been available to status employees. In VEOA appointments, preference eligibles and Veterans are not accorded preference as a factor, but they are allowed to compete for job opportunities that are not offered to other external candidates. A VEOA eligible who is selected will be given a career or career-conditional appointment.

When to Use it:

Agencies must consider VEOA eligibles who have competed under agency merit promotion announcements when they are recruiting from outside their workforce. The authority does not apply when an agency is filling excepted service positions.

Who is Eligible:

VEOA eligibility applies to the following categories of veterans:

• Preference eligibles; and
• Service personnel separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

How to Use it:

• Step 1: Consider the strategic benefit in soliciting applicants outside your own workforce, so that veterans and transitioning service members may apply for the position.
• Step 2: Determine recruiting strategy. If you are going to consider external candidates, you must permit VEOA eligibles to apply. Consider posting announcement at Veterans Transition Centers or with Veterans Service Organizations.
• Step 3: Announce the vacancy on USAJOBS.
• Step 4: Consider VEOA applicants with other status candidates. Applicants must provide acceptable documentation of their preference or appointment eligibility.
• Step 5: Determine the most qualified candidates. Determine which applicants are qualified, rate them based on their qualifications, and issue a selection certificate in accordance with the agency merit promotion plan.
• Step 6: Select a candidate. If a VEOA eligible is selected, he/she is given a career-conditional or career (as appropriate) appointment.

Benefits to the Hiring Manager:

The VEOA allows managers to consider highly qualified, non-status preference eligibles and Veterans without using more burdensome competitive examination procedures.

What it Provides:

This program provides eligible veterans with the opportunity to obtain training and practical job experience concurrently. Veterans who are entitled to training under the Chapter 31 VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program are eligible to participate in an OJT program when determined appropriate by a VA Case Manager.

When to Use it:

This program is ideal for eligible veterans who learn easily in a hands-on environment.

Who is Eligible:

Veterans eligible for Chapter 31 VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program as determined by the VA Case Manager/Employment Specialist.

How to Use it:

Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Regional Office - VR&E Division.

Benefits to the Hiring Manager:

• Hiring a potentially highly qualified candidate
• Ability to hire a trainee at an apprenticeship wage
• Trainee is provided with necessary tools, uniforms and other required supplies
• Minimal paperwork is required of the employer
• Employer has VA support during training and placement follow-up phase to assist with any work or training related problems

Upon successful completion, the host agency and VA give the veteran a Certificate of Training showing the occupational series and grade level of the position for which trained. The Certificate of Training allows any agency to appoint the veteran noncompetitively under a status quo appointment which may be converted to career or career-conditional at any time.

38 U.S.C. chapter 31; 5 CFR 3.1 and 315.604

Though not specifically for veterans, the Schedule A authority for people with certain disabilities, 5 CFR 213.3102(u), is an excepted authority that agencies can use to appoint eligible veterans who have a psychological, intellectual, or severe physical disability.

Agencies can use this authority, at their discretion, to appoint an eligible veteran at any grade level and for any job (time-limited or permanent) for which they qualify. After 2 years of satisfactory service, the agency may convert the veteran, without competition, to the competitive service.

Additional information on the use of the Schedule A appointing authority for persons with certain disabilities can be found under OPM's Workforce Policy section.