Careers for Veterans
Applying as a Veteran
Thank you for your service to our country. Consider continuing to serve your nation here at EPA. We offer a variety of career opportunities throughout the United States.
On this page:
EPA Benefits for Vets
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Federal employment benefits are among the most comprehensive programs available anywhere. At EPA, our goal is to be considered by all as an "employer of choice." We are committed to paying people well and providing excellent benefits. Learn more about the benefits of working at EPA.
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EPA has launched an informal mentoring program that matches seasoned EPA employees who are veterans with new hires who have served in the armed forces. To learn more about this mentoring program, email EPA's Veteran Employment Program Manager at epaveterans@epa.gov.
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Employees who serve in the National Guard or Reserves for either active duty or training receive military leave benefits. Your type of deployment will determine how much leave you can accrue.
Veterans' Hiring Advantages
Veterans' Preference
Veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during specific time periods or military campaigns are entitled to preference over non-veterans in competitive hiring selections.
If a job announcement on USAJobs.gov states that the position is open to all sources and you are qualified for the position, you will receive veterans' preference accordingly.
In order to receive your preference, you must indicate in your application that you are eligible for the preference. You will need to send us proof of your military service with your application.
If you are applying for a ten-point preference, you will need to submit additional forms. Read the job announcement for the job you are interested in applying for to learn exactly what documentation is required.
Entitlement to veterans' preference does not guarantee a job.
Learn about the veterans' preference in federal hiring, whether you may be five- or ten-point preference eligible, and what documentation is required to receive the preference you are claiming:
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Q and A to find out if you are eligible (Department of Labor Veterans' Preference Advisor)
Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
Veterans with certain military service records may be hired for positions at grades GS-11 and below without a competitive selection process, if they meet the qualifications for the job. Certain conditions of employment may apply to employees hired under the VRA program.
Learn more:
30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans Program
Like the VRA program, veterans with service-connected disabilities of 30 percent or more may be hired into positions without a competitive selection process, if they meet the qualifications for the job. Unlike the VRA program, there is no limitation on the level at which you may be hired.
Learn more:
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA)
VEOA allows veterans to apply to announcements that are only open to individuals outside of EPA if they are so called "status" candidates, which normally means "current or former permanent federal employees."
Learn more:
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Visit FedsHireVets.gov Job Seekers
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The Office of Personnel Management Veterans Employment Act 1998
EPA Injured Soldier and Veteran Volunteer Placement Program (ISVVPP)
ISVVPP provides temporary work experience to eligible active duty military service members and veterans. ISVVPP includes both paid and unpaid (volunteer) internship programs:
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ISVVPP partners with DoD's Operation Warfighter (OWF) program. OWF is a paid federal internship program for wounded, ill, and injured service members, placing them in supportive work settings that positively impact their rehabilitation. Open to active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, Operation Warfighter represents a great opportunity for service members to build their resumes, explore employment interests, develop job skills, and gain valuable federal government work experience. Local OWF Coordinators refer applicants to EPA.
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Email EPA's Veteran Employment Program Manager at epaveterans@epa.gov
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ISVVPP partners with the Veterans Administration (VA). In this program, which EPA refers to as the Veterans Non-Paid Work Experience Program, eligible veterans can obtain training and practical job experience consistent with their vocational rehabilitation goals. VA pays participants' monthly subsistence allowance for the duration of the program. The goal of the program is for veterans to obtain full-time permanent employment in the offices where they have been placed, or in similar offices, assuming a vacancy is available. VA Veteran Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors refer applicants to EPA.
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Learn more about the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VetSuccess Program.
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Email EPA's Veteran Employment Program Manager at epaveterans@epa.gov.
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Additional Resources
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FedsHireVets.gov: Many of your questions can be answered at the central site for federal employment information for vets, transitioning military service members, and their families.
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eBenefits.VA.gov. View your compensation or pension claim status in eBenefits and find out what the VA has done with your claim and where it is in the claims process.
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Veterans Benefits Administration. Learn if you are eligible for VA benefits and if you are, what benefits you might be eligible for.
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Health care. You can apply for VA health care online or you can apply in person at a VA Medical Center or clinic. To find the nearest VAMC or clinic, visit VA website and click on Locations. You can also apply for health benefits by phone by calling: 1-877-222-VETS (8837), Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm ET. Finally, you can do it via mail.
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VA for Vets. Although VA for Vets is primarily a gateway for careers at the Veterans' Administration (VA), their website offers resources for vets applying to EPA and other employers, too. You can find career development services for existing veterans and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. Learn more: