Non-competitive federal hiring: VRA and the 30% disabled veteran authority
Two ways a federal agency can hire you without making you compete against the public, plus VEOA.
What it is
Federal agencies have special hiring authorities that let them appoint a qualified veteran directly. These are often the fastest way in. The agency chooses whether to use them, so tell the hiring office you are eligible and send your proof.
Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
- Who: disabled veterans, veterans who served in a war or campaign with an authorized badge or medal, veterans with the Armed Forces Service Medal, and veterans separated within the past 3 years. You need an honorable or general discharge.
- Grade: up to GS-11 or equivalent.
- Big point: after 2 years of satisfactory service, the agency must convert you to a career or career-conditional appointment (5 CFR 307).
Two federal hiring authorities
30 percent or more disabled veteran authority
- Who: retired from active service with a 30 percent or more disability rating, or rated 30 percent or more compensable service-connected by VA.
- Grade: no ceiling. Any position you are qualified for.
- Proof: a VA letter or military papers showing the rating, plus your discharge papers. The initial appointment is for more than 60 days and can be converted to permanent status (5 CFR 315.707).
VEOA: competing for status-only jobs
The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act lets preference eligibles and veterans with 3 or more years of continuous honorable active service apply to announcements that are open only to current federal employees. No extra points are added, but you get to compete. If you are selected, you receive a career or career-conditional appointment.
How to use them
- Get your paperwork ready: DD-214 and your VA disability letter, and the SF-15 if you also claim 10-point preference.
- On USAJOBS, look for announcements that list veterans authorities, and read what documents the agency asks for.
- Contact the agency's hiring office or veterans employment coordinator and say which authority you qualify for.
Traps
- The authority is optional for the agency. It opens a door and does not force a hire.
- Every agency wants proof. Missing papers can knock you out.
- To claim points in a competitive process, see the separate page on 5-point and 10-point preference.
Where to call and where to go
Phone
- OPM main line: 202-606-1800 (TTY 711). OPM's FedsHireVets pages list no veterans-specific phone. Source: opm.gov/about-us/contact-us
- VA main information line (MyVA411), 24/7: 1-800-698-2411 (TTY: 711). Source: va.gov/contact-us (for your rating letter)
Official pages
Next step: the application itself
Knowing your preference or hiring authority is one half. The other half is the application. My USAJOBS Guide & Workbook is a 22-page, step-by-step walkthrough of the federal resume and questionnaire. $30, instant PDF download. See the USAJOBS guide.
Written by Richard Schott: seven years in the Marine Corps, thirteen in the Army, retired Sergeant First Class, and two years in the Fort Riley transition office.