FAQs

If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability, you must contact an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) counselor within 45 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action, or, in the case of a personnel action, within 45 calendar days of the effective date of the action, before you can file a formal complaint of discrimination with the agency. See, e.g. 29 CFR 1614.  If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, you must either contact an EEO counselor as noted above or give notice of intent to sue to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory action. For further information, check the EEOC's website at https://www.eeoc.gov/.  If you are alleging discrimination based on marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other factor that is not related to job performance, you may file a written complaint with the United States Office of Special Counsel. For further information check the OSC’s website at https://osc.gov/.  In the alternative, you may pursue a discrimination complaint by filing a grievance through the agency's administrative or negotiated grievance procedures, if such procedures apply and are available.

No. Such an employee remains subject to time-in-grade restrictions.

You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable along with supporting documentation showing a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more.

Qualified preference eligibles may apply and be considered for vacancies regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C. 3307, unless the hiring agency has determined age is essential to the duties of the job.

Preference eligibles are divided into five basic groups as follows:

1. CPS - Disability rating of 30% or more (10 points)
2. CP - Disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30% (10 points)
3. XP - Disability rating less than 10% (10 points)
4. TP - Preference eligibles with no disability rating (5 points)
5. SSP - Sole Survivorship Preference (0 points)

These codes are used to designate on rating sheets and certificates the category of veterans’ preference to which an applicant is entitled.

You must provide acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If eligibility is based on a service-connected disability, you will need to submit a Standard Form 15 "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference", along with the appropriate documentation. A fillable SF-15 is available at https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf.

If you are claiming veterans’ preference based on a service-connected disability, receipt of a Purple Heart or derived preference you may be required to submit a SF-15 along with supporting documentation.

No.

Visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

Yes. There are number of special appointing authorities not specific to veterans such as Pathways (for students and recent graduates), Schedule A for Persons with Disabilities, etc. However, the most common special appointing authorities for veterans are the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA), 30% or more disabled veteran and Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).  The veteran should apply under any special hiring authorities for which he or she is eligible.

Yes. The FedsHireVets.gov website has a host of resources for veterans seeking Federal employment. Veterans are encouraged to take the Federal Employment Training Module for information about Federal employment. http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/edu/training/Continuing/menu.htm

Maybe.  If you meet the criteria for veterans’ preference in absence of disability then yes, you can claim veterans’ preference. However, if eligibility for veterans’ preference is contingent upon a service-connected disability rating, then no.

No.  Veterans' preference eligibility is based on dates of active duty service, receipt of a campaign badge, Purple Heart, OR a service-connected disability.  Only veterans discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions are eligible for veterans' preference.

Maybe. The parent of a disabled veteran may be eligible to claim veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it. Further details on the specific criteria that must be met can be found at: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/familypref/index.aspx