Obama Steps Up Efforts to Hire Vets
New program designed to increase federal hiring of transitioners, veterans
by Dan Fazio
 
Transitioners and veterans looking for a civilian job with the federal government already have an edge: Vets get five to 10 points added to their passing scores when they take civil service tests, and agencies must hire a veteran if he or she is among the top three candidates for a position.

Now Uncle Sam wants to sharpen that edge.

On Nov. 9, President Barack Obama signed an executive order creating the Veterans Employment Initiative, a program designed to bring more military veterans to the federal work force and help transitioners adjust to the civilian work place.

“Honoring our sacred trust with America’s veterans means doing all we can to help them find work when they come home so they never feel as if the American Dream they fought to defend is out of reach for them and their families,” said President Obama. “But this initiative is about more than repaying our debt for their courageous service and selfless sacrifice. It’s also about continuing to fill the ranks of federal employees with men and women who possess the skills, dedication, and sense of duty that Americans deserve from their public servants. And few embody those qualities like our nation’s veterans.”

The presidential order establishes the Council on Veterans Employment to advise the president on the Veterans Employment Initiative. The council, which will include representatives from 24 federal agencies, will be co-chaired by Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki. John Berry, director of the Office of Personnel Management, will serve as vice chair and chief operating officer of the council.

The order also sets up a Veterans Employment Program office within most federal agencies to help veterans find jobs there, provide feedback to veterans about their application status and help veterans recently employed by the agencies adjust to civilian life.

In addition, the Office of Personnel Management is tasked with creating a government-wide strategic plan that will:

• Identify actions agency leaders should take to improve employment opportunities for veterans
• Develop the skills of transitioning military members and veterans
• Market the federal government as an employer of choice to transitioning service members and veterans
• Market the talent, experience and dedication of transitioning service members and veterans to federal agencies
• Disseminate federal employment information to veterans and hiring officials
  

“Veterans have shown unmatched dedication to public service,” said Secretary Shinseki, a retired U.S. Army four-star general. “They offer leadership and technical skills that are in high demand, whether in the public or private workforce. Not only does this initiative present an opportunity for veterans to serve their nation once again, the nation will benefit from the education and training veterans received in the Armed Forces.”

To view a transcript of the presidential order click here.