| Disabled Veterans
Questions & Answers |
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Welcome to our Questions & Answers (Q&A) Page.
These questions were asked by other veterans seeking information about employment
opportunities in the Department of Defense. We will continue to add questions and
post our answers as we receive them. If your question has not been answered, please do
not hesitate to Ask Us, and we will respond within 48 hours
or sooner.
Question: How does a disabled veteran apply for a job with the Department of Defense?
All applicants for Department of Defense jobs must follow the
same application process. The most important step in the process is your
job search. DoD job openings are described in a vacancy announcement so
you must search the various DoD agencies
until you find a job vacancy. To respond to these vacancy announcements,
you must submit a resume containing specific information describing
your skills, experience, education level, etc. (Helpful resume writer
software may be accessed at http://my.usajobs.opm.gov.)
Please be sure to read the vacancy announcement very carefully and follow the
instructions in the "How to Apply" section of each announcement. Each vacancy
announcement will include specific information such as title, duties,
salary, location, who can apply, and how to apply.
Question: Is there an office in the Department of Defense that can provide assistance?
Yes. The Defense Applicant Assistance Office (DAAO) offers job applicants assistance seeking DoD civilian
employment. You may call one of the DAAO staff advisors at 1-888-DOD-4USA or TTY
703-696-5436. You can also visit them via the web at http://www.godefense.com.
Question: What is USAJOBS?
USAJOBS provides worldwide job vacancy information for all Federal agencies, employment information fact sheets, job applications and forms on-line. Job seekers can apply
for many positions on-line. USAJOBS is convenient, accessible
through the computer or telephone and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can contact USAJOBS through an Interactive Voice Response Telephone System at (703) 724-1850 or TDD (978) 461-8404.
Question: What does it mean when the Federal job announcement asks me to define my Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)?
Knowledge, skills and abilities are the core requirements for a position.
Your knowledge, skills, and abilities must reflect the depth
and breadth of your experience as it pertains to the job for which you
are applying. KSAs demonstrate that you have the requisite background
to perform the position. Failure to address one or all, may result in
a rating or evaluation of less than best qualified.
Question: What are Selective Factors?
They are mandatory knowledge, skills, and abilities
required to perform the duties of the specific position. If selective factors are
listed, your application must demonstrate that you possess all of them.
Selective Factors supplement basic qualification requirements. If you do not possess
any one of the Selective Factors, you will not be considered for the position.
Question: What are Quality Ranking Factors?
Quality Ranking Factors are highly desirable knowledge, skills
or abilities that are helpful in performing the duties of the position.
Your application must address how you meet them. These factors help
determine the very best qualified applicant for the position. If you
do not meet any one of them, you may not be rated among the best qualified.
Question: Job Announcements often refer to "certificates." What does that mean?
A certificate is a listing of the names of eligible candidates
for a job. The certificate is an official document that is given to a
supervisor or selecting official from which to make a selection determination.
Question: When vacancies are announced by a DoD agency, how can selecting officials fill the position with a disabled veteran?
Agencies must select from the top rated eligible applicants. Disabled
veterans are considered to have veterans' preference for employment
purposes and may be placed at the top of the Certificate of Eligibles
if qualified for the job. Other veterans and non-veterans may be
referred on the same certificate in lower categories.
Question: What does "veterans' preference" do for a disabled veteran?
Veterans' preference gives special consideration to eligible disabled
veterans in Federal employment. Veterans who are disabled or who served
on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified
time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over
non-veterans. If a numerical rating scheme is used to evaluate
applications for employment, 10 points are added to the overall score. If a quality factor
rating scheme is used, such as Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, and Qualified, the disabled
veteran is placed at the top of the quality group. Veterans with a 30 percent compensable
disability are placed at the top of the Best Qualified Group.
Question: If I have five point preference, am I considered a disabled veteran?
No, five-point preference is given to those honorably separated
veterans (this means an honorable or general discharge) who served on
active duty (not active duty for training) in the Armed Forces:
- During any war (this means a war declared by
Congress, the last of which was World War II);
- For more than 180 consecutive days, any part
of which occurred after January 31, 1955 and before October 15, 1976;
- During the period April 28, 1952, through July
1, 1955; or
- In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign
medal has been authorized, such as El Salvador, Lebanon, Granada, Panama,
Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti.
Medal holders and Gulf War veterans who originally enlisted after September
7, 1980, or who entered on active duty on or after October 14, 1982, without
having previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty, must
have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered
to active duty. Effective on October 1, 1980, military retirees at or
above the rank of major or equivalent, are not entitled to preference
unless they qualify as disabled veterans.
Question: How do I get ten point preference for employment?
The Department of Veterans Affairs assigns the preference rating.
Ten-point preference is given to:
- Those honorably separated veterans who 1) qualify
as disabled veterans because they have served on active duty in the
Armed Forces at any time and have a present service-connected disability
or are receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension
from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs; or 2) are Purple
Heart recipients;
- The spouse of a veteran unable to work because
of a service- connected disability;
- The unmarried widow of certain deceased veterans;
and
- The mother of a veteran who died in service
or who is permanently and totally disabled.
Question: What do I need to show to the Human Resources Office to prove that I am a disabled veteran?
When applying for Federal jobs, eligible disabled veterans should
claim preference on their application or resume. Applicants claiming 10-point
preference must complete a Standard Form SF-15, "Application for 10-Point
Veteran Preference" and provide the supporting documents as indicated
in the form.
Question: How can I find out what kind of veterans' preference I have?
The Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Policy and Veterans' Employment and Training Service has an "expert system"
to help veterans assess the preferences to which they are entitled. Two
versions of this system are currently available, both of which help the
disabled veterans determine the type of preference to which they are entitled,
and the benefits associated with the preference.
Question: What is derived preference?
Derived preference, available to eligible spouses (including widows
or widowers), is based on the qualifying service of a veteran who is not
able to work. Under certain circumstances, mothers
of deceased or disabled veterans are also eligible for derived preference.
Detailed information on derived preference can be found in Chapter 2,
"Veterans' Preference in Appointments," of the OPM VetGuide located at
http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp.
Question: What proof do I need to obtain derived preference for employment?
You should complete a Standard Form 15, Application for 10-Point
Veteran Preference, and follow the directions in sections
D through H of the form. An eligibility determination will be made by the personnel
office accepting your employment application.
Question: I have recently become blind. I was a computer specialist in the military. What jobs can I apply for now?
You can still apply for computer specialist positions in Defense. Software tools such as Screen Reader, JAWS, and Dolphins software are available to assist you in your daily work. A Refreshable Braille display is also used, if needed, through the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP). Read more about CAP at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/cap.
Question: I've read job announcements that identify positions in the Federal Wage System. Can you explain more?
The Federal Wage System, or FWS, is a system that groups together the trades and laborer occupations in the Federal Government.
Question: I was a mechanic in the service and now want to consider other types of craft or laborer jobs. Where can I find these types of jobs as a civilian?
There are many trades and laborer occupations available throughout the Department of Defense. Machine-Tool Operator, Truck Driver, Telecommunications Mechanic, Electronics Mechanic, Boiler Plant Operator, and Painter are just a few. These and numerous other job opportunities can be viewed at http://www.usajobs.gov, the official job site of the Federal Government or call 1-888-DoD 4USA for assistance.
Question: Where can I get information about transitioning from active duty to the civilian workforce?
Before transitioning from active duty, military service members should make a visit to their Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Office. TAP was designed by the Department of Defense to smooth the transition of military personnel into the civilian workforce. Whether you're retiring, going back to school, or looking for a new career, success requires planning and resources and the Transition Assistance Program is there to help.
The Transition Assistance Office, normally located at the Military Family Support/Service Center on your installation, provides assistance with job searches, career decision-making, advice on current occupational and labor market conditions, resume and cover letter preparation and interviewing techniques. Participants are also provided with an evaluation of their employability relative to the job market and receive information on the most current veterans' benefits.
In addition, to better assist military service members preparing to transition to the civilian workforce, the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor created a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Manual. Information contained in the TAP Manual includes excellent advice on career exploration, job search strategies, interview techniques, how to review job offers, how to determine your strengths, how to analyze your skills and competencies, how to assess your financial needs and includes up-to-date information on veterans benefits. You may find this informative manual at http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/tap/
Question: Now that I'm getting out of the Armed Forces, how can I convert my military experience toward a civilian career?
The Department of Defense (DoD) recognizes the enormous contributions you made and the excellent skills you acquired while serving your country in uniform and are glad that you are considering a civilian career with DoD.
There are over 700 different types of occupations within the Department of Defense. To find information on military to civilian occupation comparisons, there is a great "Skills Translator" tool that can help you locate jobs similar to your military occupation. This user-friendly "Skills Translator" tool also provides salary levels and information on future employment outlook and can be found at website http://www.military.com/Careers/Home/.
To also help in your search, you may want to obtain a copy of your Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET) document (DD From 2586). This document contains education and training data on skills you acquired while serving on active duty. The primary purpose of the document is to assist you with your civilian job search by cross-walking military skills into civilian job fields. Information about this document can be found on the following websites: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/vmet/owa/vmet_web_display.login and http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/vmet/owa/vmet_web_display.showpage?p_PageID=FURTHER%20INFO.
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