Answer
2:HOW
DO I GET A PREFERENCE LETTER FROM VA?
To obtain a veterans' preference letter from the Department of Veterans
Affairs, you should contact your local VA Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000.
You can also request that a copy be sent to your address of record through
our Contact
the VA menu option. You should select "Compensation
and Benefits" as the topic of your inquiry.
Answer
3:
WHAT CAN VA’S NATIONAL VETERANS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM DO FOR ME?
VA’s National Veterans Employment Program provides personal employment
assistance to veterans. Services include educating veterans on veterans
preference; using special hiring authorities for veterans; key aspects
to know when maneuvering through the federal hiring process; resume
reviews; and assistance in obtaining employment in VA.
Answer
4:
HOW CAN I OBTAIN A COPY OF MY MILITARY RECORDS?
VA does not maintain copies of military records beyond what is necessary
to deliver benefits. To obtain a copy of your military records, visit
the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration at www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs/
Answer
5:
HOW CAN I GET A JOB AT VA?
The process to obtain employment in VA is the same as applying for other
federal agencies. Vacancies in VA are found on OPM’s usajobs.com,
as well as on our health care employment website, VAcareers.com.
Search for positions matching your qualifications and interests and
apply following the guidance provided on the announcement. As a veteran,
you should pay particular attention to guidance directed to veterans
under veterans' preference or other special hiring authorities. For
assistance in applying, contact the National Veterans Employment Program
through our Contact
the VA link.
Answer
6:
AS A DISABLED VETERAN, AM I GUARANTEED FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT?
Veterans' preference is intented to assist all veterans, particularly
disabled veterans, who have served honorably and have a desire to work
for the federal government. It does not guarantee veterans employment.
Veterans must meet all qualifications for the position and unless applying
under a noncompetitive appointment, compete with other applicants. Other
hiring factors include: the area of consideration; knowledge, skills
and abilities (KSAs); level of experience; and interviews.
Answer
7:
HOW CAN A CIVILIAN BE SELECTED OVER A DISABLED VETERAN FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT?
Veterans' preference does not require federal agencies to use any particular
appointment process when filling vacancies. Therefore, hiring officials
have at their discretion the ability to select applicants from various
sources - casting a wide net to find the most qualified. This means
a veteran may be listed as the top candidate on one list, yet the selecting
official may, at his or her discretion, choose to select an applicant
from another list or source, which does not contain veteran candidates.
Answer
8:
HOW DO I OBTAIN A COPY OF MY DD-214?
The Department of Veterans Affairs does not maintain records of veterans'
military service, except as necessary for providing benefits. For information
about obtaining your military record, please contact the Military Personnel
Records Center in St. Louis, which is part of the National Archives
and Records Administration (NARA). The Internet address is www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs/
. The Internet address for NARA is www.archives.gov
Answer
9: WHO DO I CONTACT IF I FEEL MY VETERANS' PREFERENCE RIGHTS
HAVE BEEN VIOLATED?
The U.S. Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service
(DOL-VETS) is the federal agency charged with investigating violations
to veterans’ preference statutes. If you feel your rights have
been violated under veterans' preference and would like to file a complaint,
you should contact your local DOL-VETS representative. For a listing
of state DOL representatives or instructions on how to file a complaint,
visit www.dol.gov/elaws/vets/vetpref/agency.htm.
You may also obtain additional information regarding your rights under
veterans’ preference, by visiting the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM) Web site www.opm.gov/veterans.
Answer
10: WHO DO I CONTACT IF I FEEL MY RIGHTS UNDER THE UNIFORMED
SERVICES EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT (USERRA) HAVE BEEN VIOLATED?
The Department of Labor (DOL) oversees the administration of the Uniformed
Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Information
on how to proceed when you feel your USERRA rights have been being violated
can be obtained from DOL's website at www.dol.gov/elaws/vets/userra/userra.asp.
We also suggest you contact your local DOL veteran employment representative
for assistance. For more information on USERRA, DOL has provided the
following telephone number for service members, 1-866-4-USA-DOL