I'm about to retire from the Navy and have been advised by the DAV I will rate between 70 -90% disability. I understand that with 30% or more I'm entitled to special consideration or non-competitive hiring priviledges with the government. I have researched this and can't seem to get a good idea on what advantages this has. Please advise or send me a good understandable link to go to.
Thanks

I do not have a link but I am currently 20% and have what is known as a 10 point preference. I guess this means I would receive an extra 10 points in the hiring process.

http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetsinfo.asp



jrc

The are a number of different preference for veterans.

1. The 10 point preference means that any government job that is hired using a test or the equivalent of a test, the vet gets 10 points added on to their score.

2. Certain other jobs use other preferences. In those cases they can appoint (hire) a vet without competition.

3. You can compete with current federal employees for job opening that are available only to federal employees.

More details at the link that was posted.

I thought I would save this one for a bit since it gets asked every few months.

Good Luck if your looking to get a job in the Civil service process. I'm rated at 70%, been on a few interviews, but not lucky enough to get a job with the civil service. This is probably a good thing...but I recommend getting college degree first if you can and then go out and get job...that is if you can afford to do so. Most good paying jobs in civil service are above a GS-7 payscale. However, to get past that point you almost need a PHD. Most have to start at a entry level position even with a college degree. These jobs are highly competitive..meaning everyone is applying for them, but very few get interviews and less get jobs. I understand why vets get all upset with the government system. I just came from the VA this past Thursday and unless your a doctor or student, you see volunteers all over the place and a lot more minorities. The system they have is so screwed up in my opinion. The Nashville VA has 3 Pharmasists reviewing patients perscriptions on computers and an older lady, volunteer, giving out the prescriptions. I stood in line for over 30 minutes waiting for a perscription because the older lady couldn't operate the computer efficiently, couldn't read the labels very well and it really slowed the system way down. There were over 10 people at one given time waiting in line for prescriptions, while Pharmasists with $80,000+ salaries were sitting in front of computers. I went to get an x-ray and they had to put a patient band around my wrist. What a waste of funds. I had that wrist band on for a whole 5 minutes. What did that cost tax payers? I was in Memphis for in-patient treatment and I literally saw an orderly sleeping on the job at 7:30 in the morning. Where is the supervision? Lots of employees at the VA, many walking around wqiht what seemed like no mission.
Sorry off on a bunny trail. But I have found it difficult to get into Government employment, and I think that the pre=qualifications need to be changed. Most jobs over a GS-9 need a PHD. There are many people with lots of experience that can be filling these jobs with out a PHD.

First of all.I retired from the DOD(civil service) as a GS-12 and without a PHD.As a rule,anything above GS-12 you need at least a BA,but is not required.Most GS-15 positions require a masters (depending on the agency)GS-17 is by appointment.As far as the hiring goes,there are three list.10 point,5 point,and non vet.The consideration is giving to the people from the 10 point vet list first,then from the 5 point,and then the none vet list.Having said this,I must state that just because you are a 5 or 10 pointer,it does not mean you will get the job.There are a lot of politics in civil service.I was a 14 year vet with three tours in Nam,and was disabled,and I saw young non vets get hired over me.I finally called my Congresman,and two weeks later I got hired.I might add that I did have a BA.

I was a federal civil service employee for 27 years, CSRS. I worked for the active duty Army, GS12.

I happen to know, for a fact, that Vets are discriminated against in hiring practices. Yes, they have prefence in first time hiring situation, but the agancies and departments have ways around that. Thats a fact; I know, I saw it in practice everyday in the US Army. The government agencies and departments are all the same; they have their "buddies", connections, and in-crowd to satisfy (with filling job opens). You do me a favor, and I'll be loyal to you; cronnyism. Its always been that way... and, will never change, regardless of the law. I was a supervisor with hiring authority, but I refused to go along with "favorite" candidates. NO.

quote:

Originally posted by smatoska:
Good Luck if your looking to get a job in the Civil service process. I'm rated at 70%, been on a few interviews, but not lucky enough to get a job with the civil service. This is probably a good thing...but I recommend getting college degree first if you can and then go out and get job...that is if you can afford to do so. Most good paying jobs in civil service are above a GS-7 payscale. However, to get past that point you almost need a PHD. Most have to start at a entry level position even with a college degree. These jobs are highly competitive..meaning everyone is applying for them, but very few get interviews and less get jobs. I understand why vets get all upset with the government system. I just came from the VA this past Thursday and unless your a doctor or student, you see volunteers all over the place and a lot more minorities. The system they have is so screwed up in my opinion. The Nashville VA has 3 Pharmasists reviewing patients perscriptions on computers and an older lady, volunteer, giving out the prescriptions. I stood in line for over 30 minutes waiting for a perscription because the older lady couldn't operate the computer efficiently, couldn't read the labels very well and it really slowed the system way down. There were over 10 people at one given time waiting in line for prescriptions, while Pharmasists with $80,000+ salaries were sitting in front of computers. I went to get an x-ray and they had to put a patient band around my wrist. What a waste of funds. I had that wrist band on for a whole 5 minutes. What did that cost tax payers? I was in Memphis for in-patient treatment and I literally saw an orderly sleeping on the job at 7:30 in the morning. Where is the supervision? Lots of employees at the VA, many walking around wqiht what seemed like no mission.
Sorry off on a bunny trail. But I have found it difficult to get into Government employment, and I think that the pre=qualifications need to be changed. Most jobs over a GS-9 need a PHD. There are many people with lots of experience that can be filling these jobs with out a PHD.

quote:

Originally posted by RVN1968:
I was a federal civil service employee for 27 years, CSRS. I worked for the active duty Army, GS12.

I happen to know, for a fact, that Vets are discriminated against in hiring practices. Yes, they have prefence in first time hiring situation, but the agancies and departments have ways around that. Thats a fact; I know, I saw it in practice everyday in the US Army. The government agencies and departments are all the same; they have their "buddies", connections, and in-crowd to satisfy (with filling job opens). You do me a favor, and I'll be loyal to you; cronnyism. Its always been that way... and, will never change, regardless of the law. I was a supervisor with hiring authority, but I refused to go along with "favorite" candidates. NO.

I am a disabled veteran from the vietnam era. after my service i applied for many jobs were you was to get veterans prefrence. Police, Fire, Us Deputy Marshalls in which i passed all my exams and even took the strength test for the police which i passed with almost all 100's for all activities. later they threw out the strength test because the females couldnt pass it. guess who got the jobs over me. the females that couldnt pass it. i know of people that scored lower than me on exams who got the jobs and werent even vets or disabled vets so much for vets or disabled vets prefrence it means nothing and i still have all my rejections of these jobs to prove it. i also applied later for the va police in which i scored a 92 (still have the results) and didnt even get a interview. so much for being a veteran or even worst yet a disabled veteran

I did 37 years civil service.
I had a 20% rating when I hired on.
That was addressed in the physical I had to take. No probs
Over the years, partially aggravated by the work, the condition increased to 70%.
I had a joint replacment and they were obligated to make work for me in another area.
I was kind of dead weight for a few years.
This has become an issue as a lot of Vietvets had similar experiencws.
Some disabilities increase in ways you cannot predict. The fed employer has a responsibility towards you after a certain period.
Most Vietvets have or are about to retire, but they are eying new hires in this light. Disabled vets are not really desireable as employees anymore because of the probable deteriation of their situations.

It is true about the hiring practices. I know of many instances where vets were set aside or bypassed. Totally illegal and wrong. Some folks are capable of playing fast and loose with this. I was never in a position where I could blow the whistle.

CB, I if this bores and tires you, I request you respect those involved in the discourse.
If you disagree, have the courtesy to enter the discussion.
Cartoons rather inappropriate for adult responses.

Despite what's been reported to the Department of Labor and Congress, I don't believe there's a fair amount of Disabled Vets that are hired for quality jobs in the Federal Government. I, for one am a 40% s/c vet and have a applied for nearly 30 different federal positions and have not received any consideration. Some of the jobs, I received a letter from the agency stating the position has been closed, some I simply never heard back from after following up with the contact person. Even with all the OPM changes to the application process, there still seems to be some sort of barrier to landing a job with the federal government. I've spoken with other disabled vets whom are dealing with the same issue. I've even gone the extent of having employment & job placement experts review my applications & resumes. Can someone PLEASE tell me what exactly is the purpose for the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) and/or the Rehabilitation Act?

After leaving the Army back in 1992 after serving 12 years on Active Duty, I was picked up for my first federal job in 1993 after being out for one year... I accepted the position of Police Officer for the VA hospital at the pay grade of GS-04, which paid less than private security in that area. Plus, back then, VA PD wasn't armed, but was expected to make an arrest on somebody that was armed!! ...Good "people and communication skills" were very important in that position!! Anyway, after about 6 months, I moved over to the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a GS-06 Correctional Officer and within 3 years, I made it up to GS-08. I left the BOP after that and went to work for another federal law enforcement agency, where I'm still employed.

After working for the federal government for 15 plus years now, I've been promoted to the pay grade of GS-13, which wasn't easy, but very possible for anybody willing to work hard.

My point is that you might want to set your sights on a lower paying position and once you're in, compete for better jobs within the system. If you are a productive worker with high standards, you will move forward in your field.

As for college degrees, they do help greatly, but I don't have one and I know several other individuals that are in the same situation, but are also doing well in their careers and are in the pay grades of GS-09 to GS-13.

My selling point for my first position was my background in the military, nothing special since I only served in a Combat Arms MOS, but I able to passed all the required written tests and during the following interviews, I was able to "sell" myself as a solid worker with something to bring to the table as well as being a hard working and reliable team player.

The days of hiding out in the civil service position are long gone and I know we all have heard of all the “horror” stories on how people got over on the system, but that's been over for a while now. If you have skills and a positive work and credit history, you will find a position, but you have remember that civil service isn't the military, which will train people for a position, they want somebody that can come in an do the job a.s.a.p. with minimum training time. So if you looking at a specific position, it wouldn't hurt to study up on it or take some type of training in that area.

The federal jobs are out there, but like any other employer, they are looking for the best possible employees for these positions who can and will do the job. That includes both military and non-military people.

My wife, who never served a day in the military, but has a 4 year degree, was picked up for an entry level position within the federal government and after working there for 4 years, she is now in management with at least 1 or 2 more promotions in her career before she retires.

I agree with the others that its a little harder to get in these days and if you are in the Reserve, which I am, it is much harder to get in since they know you will subject to call up at anytime and will be gone for a period of 1 to 1 1/2 years... I was activated and served 15 months in Iraq and another fellow employee is now on his second tour in the Middle East… By law, they can not hold that against you, but I’m pretty sure that is now taken into consideration before the hiring agency offers that person a position.

As for being rated disabled by either the military or the VA, I have several fellow employees that are in that boat and rated between 10-40%, but they were able to pass all the training without any waivers, which is very important, since there are no waivers!! Depending on your agency, if you accept a position, you are on probation for a period of 1 to 3 years, so if you can not pass the training or meet the set standards, you can be released at anytime during your probation period. BTW, I was just rated by the VA at 40% after returning back from Iraq.

I still believe that if you want a job now, take an entry level position and show them what you have to offer and watch the vacancy list AND apply for the next higher position once you’re eligible!!!

Good luck and hang in there!!!

Its too bad that the CSRS retirement system doesn't exist for new hires, anymore. FERS is a completely inferior system. I retired under CSRS.

Too bad about FERS.