Veterans’ Employment at DOL

In order for veterans to compete effectively for federal jobs, it is important to understand how federal jobs are filled. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established occupational groups and series that are used to classify the work of positions. This classification is made in terms of the kind or subject matter of the work, the level of difficulty and responsibility, and the qualification requirements of the work. The classification is made to ensure similar treatment for positions within a class in personnel and pay administration.

All federal jobs are posted on USAJOBS. Use the right navigation window and select all options that apply to you in the Hiring Path section. At a minimum all veterans should select the options, "Open to the Public" and "Veterans." If you are entitled to Veterans Preference than you should also select the options "Competitive Service" and "Excepted Service." Note that if you do not have veteran’s preference then you should search by selecting the "Open to the Public" selection box.

There are many jobs and opportunities at the Department of Labor. See which specific occupations you may want to apply for based on your academic major or work experience. Also to help you determine what federal positions you may qualify for based on your military experience please use the Military to Federal Jobs Crosswalk located at www.dllr.state.md.us/mil2fedjobs/ which will allow you to cross reference Federal Positions related to your military occupational specialty.

Once a veteran has identified the job(s) they would like to apply for, they should click on the job, review the duties and qualification requirements, and note any specialized experience that may be required. If qualified for the job, the veteran should click “Apply Online”. During the application process, veterans may be asked to identify Veterans’ Preference status. Refer to the Determining Veterans’ Preference section above.

Apply and upload all required supporting documentation.
Note: failure to upload all required documentation may result in your application being denied.

Once a job closes, applications are reviewed. Those applicants who are determined “best qualified” are referred to the hiring official for possible interviews. If selected, the applicant will receive a tentative job offer pending any security clearance requirements. Upon acceptance of clearance, a final job offer will be made.

Federal resumes are vastly different from those found in the private sector and should include as many pages as necessary to detail skills, education, training and experience. Federal resumes should be tailored in order to address specific job requirements.

Before creating a federal resume, veterans should obtain a copy of their Verification of Military Experience and Training form (DD Form 2586). This document contains education and training data on skills acquired while serving on active duty.

See Tips for Writing a Federal Resume for additional guidance on building your resume.

Special consideration is given to qualified veterans, known as Veterans’ Preference, not all veterans are entitled to it. Typically, veterans must have served on active duty for at least two years during a period of war, be disabled, or meet other criteria. Veterans Preference does not guarantee a job.

Under Derived Preference, certain eligible spouses, widows/widowers or mothers of a veteran may be able to claim Veterans’ Preference when the veteran is unable. Agencies may also appoint a military spouse without competition under the Military Spouse Appointing Authority.

There are also a number of special hiring preferences, such as Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA), 30% or More Disabled Veteran, and the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).

• If you need assistance compiling your application package, refer to the contact section at the bottom of this page.

The Veterans’ Preference Advisor is a tool that assists veterans in determining Veterans Preference eligibility through a series of questions. Veterans should note their preference points for use in the application process.

The Department of Labor provides reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, as long as you meet the job qualifications. Some of the accommodations provided include:

• TTYs for use with telephones

• Hardware and software that make computers accessible if you have vision impairments or difficulty using your hands

• Sign language interpreters or readers

• Training and other written materials in an alternative formats (e.g., Braille, audio tape, computer disk)

• Physical changes, such as installing a ramp or modifying a workspace

The Department of Labor is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SkillBridge is a Department of War (DOW) program that offers service members the opportunity to gain valuable civilian work experience through internships, fellowships, or apprenticeships during their last 180 days of active-duty service.

Operation Warfighter (OWF) is a DOW internship program that places wounded, ill, and injured active-duty service members in supportive Federal internships as part of their recovery and rehabilitation process. Applicants must obtain “medical and command approval” from a wounded, ill, or injured Service member’s recovery team and chain of command. Applicants must be American citizens who are on active duty in the military (including the National Guard and Reserves).

The VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E NPWE) program, formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, helps Veterans with service-connected disabilities achieve independence and find meaningful employment. Through on-the-job training, the NPWE program allows local, state, and federal government offices to temporarily employ a veteran without having the position count against the agency’s full-time equivalent allocation. VR&E pays the veteran a monthly subsistence allowance while he or she learns valuable work-related skills and experience.

MSCAP is a fellowship program that places eligible spouses with employers across industries throughout the country. It’s designed to lead to long-term employment through hands-on experience, professional mentorship and tailored career support. Career-ready spouses of members of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force, including active, reserve and National Guard components, are eligible to apply for the fellowship program. Applicants are placed based on education level, previous work experience and host employer needs and lasts for 12-weeks.