Special Hiring Authorities
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Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)
The VEOA allows veterans' preference eligibles and other veterans who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions to apply and be considered for certain vacancies that are otherwise open only to status or reinstatement-eligible applicants outside of DOL.
To be eligible under VEOA, you must be one of the following:
- A veterans' preference eligible; or
- A veteran who was separated from the armed forces after substantially completing three or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
To claim eligibility under VEOA, you must submit the following documentation with your application:
- A copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," preferably the Member 4 copy, showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service. For active duty members expecting to be honorably discharged or released within 120 days, click Active Duty.
- If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15), "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference."
- If you are claiming eligibility based on disabled veteran status, you must submit a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans' Affairs certifying as to the presence of service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability.
Persons with Severe Physical or Mental Disabilities (Schedule A)
Under this authority, a person with severe physical or mental disabilities may be appointed without competition to an excepted service position on a temporary or non-temporary basis. Upon completion of two years of satisfactory service under a non-temporary Schedule A appointment, the appointee may be converted to a permanent appointment in the competitive service.
To be eligible for consideration under this authority, you must submit the following documentation with your application:
- Proof of disability (i.e., a record, statement, or other appropriate documentation confirming a severe physical, mental, or psychiatric disability) issued by a licensed medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any Federal or State agency that issues or provides disability benefits.
Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
Under VRA, an agency may hire eligible veterans without competition up to the GS-11 grade level. Upon satisfactory completion of two years of service in a VRA appointment, the appointee must be converted to a permanent appointment in the Federal competitive appointment.
To be eligible for a VRA appointment, you must have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions and be one of the following:
- A disabled veteran; or
- In receipt of a campaign badge for service during a war or in a campaign or expedition; or
- In receipt of an Armed Forces Service Medal for participation in a military operation; or
- A recently-separated veteran (i.e., who was separated within the last three years).
To claim eligibility for a VRA appointment, you must submit the following documentation with your application:
- A copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," preferably the Member 4 copy, showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service. For active duty members expecting to be honorably discharged or released within 120 days, click Active Duty.
- If you are claiming eligibility based on disabled veteran status, you must submit a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans' Affairs certifying that you have a current, service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability.
Temporary or Term Appointment of 30% or More Disabled Veterans
Under this authority, an agency may appoint, without competition, an eligible disabled veteran to a term or temporary appointment in the Federal service. In appropriate circumstances, a person receiving a temporary or term appointment under this authority may be converted to a permanent competitive service appointment.
To be eligible for appointment under this authority, you must be a veteran who is either:
- Retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; or
- Rated by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) as having a compensable, service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.
To claim eligibility for appointment under this authority, you must submit the following documentation with your application:
- A copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," preferably the Member 4 copy, showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge or release, and character of service, and/or other official document showing that you retired from active military service with a disability of 30 percent or more; or
- A letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying that you have a current, compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.
Former Peace Corps Volunteers
Under this authority, a former Peace Corps volunteer who recently completed his/her volunteer service may be appointed without competition to a permanent position in the Federal competitive service.
To be eligible for appointment under this authority, you must have satisfactorily completed your volunteer service in the Peace Corps within the past year.
To claim eligiblity, you must provide a letter from the Peace Corps indicating the beginning and end dates of your volunteer service, and certifying that you served satisfactorily.
Former Peace Corps Employees
Under this authorioty, a former Peace Corps employee (other than a volunteer) who recently completed at least 36 months of continuous service with the Peace Corps may be appointed without competition to a permanent appointment in the Federal competitive service.
To be eligible for appointment under this authority, you must have satisfactorily completed no less than 36 months of continuous service in the Peace Corps within the past three years.
To claim eligibility, you must provide a letter from the Peace Corps indicating the beginning and end dates of your service as an employee of the Peace Corps, and certifying that you served satisfactorily.
