Veterans Employment Program Office

Unemployment rate for America’s military veterans far exceeds the national average

2012-01-20T17:31:00.000-06:00

Article Title: Unemployment High for Young US Military Veterans

Snippet:

"... the unemployment rate for America’s military veterans far exceeds the national average. About 12 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are unemployed ..."

Reference Source: www.voanews.com

Will new plan help vets find employment?

2011-12-28T09:03:00.000-06:00

Article Title:New Plan to Help Vets Find Work After War

Snippet:

"... when employment is tough for anyone to find. "Our troops are coming home and we need to be ready," Sen. Michael Bennet says. He has proposed legislation to create a National Veterans Foundation that would operate much like the National Parks Foundation already does...."

Reference Source: www.foxnews.com

New Hampshire Veterans Job Fair

2011-10-24T10:39:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Job fair focuses on veterans

Snippet:

"...Veterans and others looking for work may be in luck. New Hampshire Employment Security is organizing a "Hiring Our Heroes" job fair Wednesday at the Steeplegate Mall. ..."

Reference Source: www.concordmonitor.com

Jobs plan for veterans

2011-10-19T11:16:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Obama, first lady tout jobs plan for veterans

Snippet:

"... 270 companies that have joined in an effort to hire 25,000 veterans by 2013. ..."

Reference Source: www.msnbc.msn.com

America’s Veterans to Tennessee Engineers program online

2011-10-03T10:15:00.000-05:00

Article Title:Program recruits veterans to become engineers

Snippet:

"... Launched in February 2009, the program combines an altruistic motive — helping to transition veterans to meaningful employment in the private sector ..."

Reference Source: www.knoxnews.com

America’s Veterans to Tennessee Engineers program online

Veteran Jobs Bill Would Take Money from Veterans

2011-09-13T12:17:00.000-05:00

Article Title: House committee passes jobs bill for veterans

Snippet:

"... The bill would reduce pensions for some low-income veterans in nursing homes and delays previously planned reductions in fees on veterans’ home loans. ..."

Reference Source: www.airforcetimes.com

Job Initiatives Focus on Vets, Family Members

2011-09-06T00:19:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Job Initiatives Focus on Vets, Family Members

Snippet:

"... Obama said he has directed the federal government to hire more veterans. During the past year and a half, that directive has resulted in more than 100,000 veteran hires. ..."

Reference Source: www.defense.gov

OPM's Government-wide Veterans Employment Website

2011-07-30T13:44:00.002-05:00

Article Title:Feds Hire Vets Snippet:

Reference Source: www.fedshirevets.gov

Job fair for veterans next week in middle Tennessee

2011-07-25T10:25:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Middle Tennessee employment workshop, job fair for veterans next week Snippet:

"... Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, has announced a three-day Employment Assistance Workshop to be held in Smyrna and open to National Guard members, Reservists, and all veterans. It is also open to spouses and completely free to all participants. ..."

Reference Source: www.murfreesboropost.com

HR 2433, the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011

2011-07-18T10:28:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Groups praise Miller’s jobs bill for veterans Snippet:

"... In a major step forward for HR 2433, the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America said it likes many of the details and endorses the bill introduced July 7 by Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla. ..."

Reference Source: www.airforcetimes.com

More Veterans Hired in Federal Government

2011-06-21T01:05:00.001-05:00

Article Title:More Than 72,000 Veterans Hired in Federal Government in FY 2010
President Obama's Veterans Employment Initiative Succeeding

Washington, DC - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has released Employment of Veterans in the Federal Executive Branch for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010, a document which tells a success story of the hiring of 72,133 veterans in the federal government in FY 2010. This is an increase of approximately 2,000 more veterans than were hired in FY 2009.

"Through the President's Veterans Employment Initiative, OPM and our agency partners are helping tens of thousands of veterans and their families continue their legacy of service," said OPM Director John Berry. "These are some of the best, brightest and hardest-working Americans in the federal government. While we've accomplished a lot in the first year, too many veterans are still unemployed and we're going to keep pushing to do even better going forward."

The document also highlights two other important accomplishments. First, 25.6 percent of total new hires across the federal government in FY 2010 were veterans. This is a 1.6 percentage point increase from FY 2009. Second, of the veterans hired in FY 2010, 23,140 are disabled veterans compared to 20,448 in FY 2009. This is a 1.2 percentage point increase.

To view Employment of Veterans in the Federal Executive Branch for FY 2010, please visit www.FedsHireVets.gov.

- end -

Reference Source: http://www.opm.gov/news/more-than-72000-veterans-hired-in-federal-government-in-fy-2010,1672.aspx

Military Veterans, we want you!

2011-06-06T10:54:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Guffey Encourages Postal Veterans
To Spread the Word About New Job Opportunities Snippet:

"... “The APWU negotiated a Collective Bargaining Agreement that will create thousands of new employment opportunities for veterans, and we need your help to ensure veterans are hired,” Guffey said in a May 27 letter. ..."

Reference Source: www.apwu.org

Tennessee Veterans

2011-05-31T21:35:00.001-05:00

Article Title:Unemployed Tennessee veterans trained but find few green jobs Snippet:

"... Operation Stand Down, a Nashville nonprofit that serves veterans, teamed up with Tennessee State University and Actus Lend Lease, a developer that builds homes on military bases across the country, to provide the hands-on training and certification to become weatherization technicians. ..."

Reference Source: www.jacksonsun.com

Employment opportunities for veterans in Michigan

2011-05-31T20:12:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Michigan career fairs June 1-8: Opportunities for veterans, light industrial, retail, IT and engineering Snippet:

"... June 2: The West Michigan Veteran Job Fair takes place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the National Guard Armory located at 1200 44th Street in Wyoming, Michigan. Attendees can meet with a Veterans Employment Representative. Apply and interview with top-notch employers. For more information, call (616) 336-4465. ..."

Reference Source: www.mlive.com

Veterans who would like to work for DLA can pursue multiple avenues

2011-04-16T10:26:00.000-05:00

Article Title: DLA can help veterans find federal jobs Snippet:

"...Usually, veterans have the experience required for many DLA positions. They are dedicated employees and are familiar with the DLA mission,” she said. “With the experience they’ve had in the military, they are usually ready, willing and eager to work ..."

Reference Source: insidenova.com

Wounded Warriors program finds veterans positions within the federal government

2011-03-20T22:39:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Wounded Warriors program finds veterans positions within the federal government Snippet:

"...Veterans have to receive an Army Physical Disability Evaluation System rating of 30 percent or greater in one or more specific categories such as blindness, deafness, loss of limb, severe burns, paralysis or traumatic brain injury among other conditions in order to qualify for the program. ..."

Reference Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Federal agencies learn benefits of hiring wounded veterans

2011-03-05T10:12:00.000-06:00

Article Title: Federal agencies learn benefits of hiring wounded veterans Snippet:

"...President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13518 in November 2009, which focused on employment of veterans in the federal government. In July 2010, the president also signed Executive Order 13548, which focused on increasing federal employment of individuals with disabilities. ..."

Reference Source: www.army.mil

Veterans have harder time finding jobs

2011-03-01T10:51:00.000-06:00

Article Title: Veterans have harder time finding jobs Snippet:

"...Employers have a split personality about hiring veterans, employment experts say. Some bosses see veterans as plum picks because of their proven leadership skills. However, others remain reluctant ..."

Reference Source: www.kansascity.com

Federal jobs still available; diversity sought

2011-02-13T10:56:00.000-06:00

Article Title:Federal jobs still available; diversity sought Snippet:

"...President Obama signed Executive Order 13518, Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government. The order established the Veterans Employment ..."

Reference Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Advocate for veterans draws federal inquiry

2010-12-08T10:33:00.000-06:00

Article Title: Advocate for veterans draws federal inquiry Snippet:

"... The investigation apparently stems from a letter Foreman posted on the VA website seeking to clarify whether the agency was justified in bypassing veteran-owned businesses in dozens of instances. ..."

Reference Source: www.pittsburghlive.com

How can i get a copy of my military service records?

2010-12-03T12:23:00.001-06:00

Article Title: How can i get a copy of my military service records?
Snippet:

NPRC Mailing Address:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
314-801-0800

Reference Source: Military Veteran News

Chamber, Labor Dept. teaming up to get veterans back to work

2010-10-03T11:52:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Chamber, Labor Dept. teaming up to get veterans back to work Snippet:

"... In 2009, young veterans aged 18 to 24 had an unemployment rate of 21.6 percent, slightly higher than the average for non-veterans in that age group of 19.1 percent. ..."

Reference Source: thehill.com

Hiring More Veterans to Keep Serving America

2010-09-19T08:19:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Hiring More Veterans to Keep Serving America Snippet:

"... Hiring veterans is right, and it's smart. They give our country more than we can ever repay, and they develop valuable skills along the way. To help keep veterans engaged in public service, President Obama created the Veterans Employment Initiative for the Federal government last November.

We just reported our first results, and the news is very good: we hired more than 32,800 veterans into Federal jobs in just six months this fiscal year. That's 2,600 more than in the same period last year.

Our motto is that America's VET is Valued, Experienced, and Trained. We set out to match the skills developed in the military with the critical needs of Federal agencies - everything from law enforcement officers to medical professionals. And we got the whole government involved. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis stepped up to co-chair the President's Council on Veterans Employment. As Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), I am the COO, and the cabinet departments and other agencies are members of the Council. The Agriculture, Interior, Justice, and Treasury Departments have shown particularly strong results.

The initial numbers are very good, but we're just getting started. At yesterday's Council meeting, we set new goals for hiring more veterans, including hiring disabled veterans. The unemployment rate for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan is unacceptable, and we're doing something about it. We're also getting top-notch civil servants at the same time. Additionally, as part of the White House Interagency Policy Committee on Military Families, OPM and the Department of Labor are working to increase employment of military spouses and strengthen military families.

This is personal for me. My father enlisted in the Marine Corps before Pearl Harbor and served with the first Division at Guadalcanal. My uncle for whom I am named was a Marine pilot, killed in battle in the Pacific. I honor their memories by serving today's veterans.

John Berry is the Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management ..."

Reference Source: The White House Blog

Making the transition from military to civilian employment

2010-08-23T11:04:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Making the transition from military to civilian employment Snippet:

"... The veterans who can return to civilian employment are disturbed to find out that employers do not want them - at least good paying employers. These troops return home to average paying jobs after years of training and experience. ..."

Reference Source: www.helium.com

Oregon Job Fair Just For Vets

2010-08-16T10:33:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Oregon Job Fair Just For Vets Snippet:

"... Oregon's double-digit unemployment rate is making the search for work even harder for some recent veterans. The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Team, made up of military personnel, is trying to ease the transition back to civilian employment. ..."

Reference Source: www.npr.org

Vets Returning Home to Unfriendly Job Market

2010-08-06T20:50:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Vets Returning Home to Unfriendly Job Market Snippet:

"... "I got out to pursue other careers," he said. "I don't want to be deployed anymore, I did that for nine years, and that's the only positions people want veterans for—is to go back to Afghanistan or Iraq."..."

Reference Source: online.wsj.com

Huntsville Alabama Employment

2010-07-29T00:48:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Snippet: Here is an employment link submitted by one of our readers: Huntsville Alabama Employment

"... ..."

Reference Source: employment.rocket-city.us

V.A. Easing Rules for Users of Medical Marijuana

2010-07-27T22:43:00.000-05:00

Article Title: V.A. Easing Rules for Users of Medical Marijuana Snippet:

"... A department directive, expected to take effect next week, resolves the conflict in veterans facilities between federal law, which outlaws marijuana, and the 14 states that allow medicinal use of the drug, effectively deferring to the states. ..."

Reference Source: www.nytimes.com

Disabled veteran business help

2010-07-26T22:29:00.002-05:00

Article Title: Disabled veterans can follow their dream of entrepreneurship Disabled veterans can follow their dream of entrepreneurship Snippet:

"... Six universities nationwide, including UCLA, offer all-expenses-paid boot camps for former soldiers hoping to adapt their military skills into running businesses. ..."

Reference Source: www.latimes.com

Hill exempts self from veterans' law

2010-07-20T08:29:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Hill exempts self from veterans' law Snippet:

"... While the law provides veterans with prioritized opportunities to land government jobs, veterans who apply for jobs with the Architect of the Capitol, U.S. Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office and some support positions in the House and Senate do not receive this affirmative-action-type boost, potentially preventing veterans from getting jobs.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/39707.html#ixzz0uEFsWJuB
..."

Reference Source: www.politico.com

War veterans benefit from new state laws

2010-07-20T08:24:00.000-05:00

Article Title: War veterans benefit from new state laws Snippet:

"... Some war veterans in Oklahoma will no longer pay property taxes and others in New York will have an advantage in getting civil service jobs under new provisions that take effect in 2009. Veterans in California, meanwhile, have had help buying a home since November, under a new law there.
..."

Reference Source: www.stateline.org

Veterans - Don’t give up on compensation

2010-07-11T23:07:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Veterans - Don’t give up on compensation Snippet:

"... “A lot of veterans think it’s like welfare, but it’s not,” said Mullen. “This money is their money. It’s been set aside for them. You know, we had Agent Orange in Vietnam, and they were sprayed with Agent Orange in Korea, which we didn’t know about. New things are popping up that we just didn’t know about.” ..."

Reference Source: tahlequahdailypress.com

New Help Available For Young Veterans

2010-07-08T23:46:00.000-05:00

Job Corps And VETS Launch Veteran Employment Project
Article Title: New Help Available For Young Veterans Snippet:

"... Participation by veterans in this demonstration project will be free, including transportation to and from the Job Corps center, housing, meals, basic medical services, academic and career technical training, bi-weekly living allowances, and job placement and post-graduation support.

Applications for this program are currently being accepted, and program officials are hoping to fill the available training positions as soon as possible.

Veterans are urged to apply by calling the Job Corps at 1-800-733-JOBS. ..."

Reference Source: www.wsmv.com

Hiring reforms could mean big changes for veterans

2010-05-25T11:23:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Hiring reforms could mean big changes for veterans Snippet:

"... The Office of Personnel Managment's sweeping hiring reforms could mean big things for U.S. veterans. ..."

Reference Source: www.federalnewsradio.com

Veteran Hiring Improvements...

2010-04-05T09:34:00.000-05:00

Article Title: Better job applicants, hired faster, is OPM goal
Snippet:

"... Berry said that OPM is committed to increasing employment outreach to veterans and the development of a government-wide Veterans Recruitment and Employment Strategic Plan with the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. ..."

Reference Source: fredericksburg.com

New OPM Veteran Site: Feds Hire Vets

2010-01-25T08:15:00.001-06:00

Article Title: New OPM Veteran Site- Feds Hire Vets
Snippet:

"... U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Government-wide Veterans Employment Website. This website is a critical component of the Federal Government’s strategy for the recruitment and employment of Veterans.

On November 9, 2009, President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13518, Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government, which establishes the Veterans Employment Initiative. The Initiative is a strategic, yet very straightforward, approach to helping the men and women who have served our country in the military find employment in the Federal Government. It also underscores the importance of aligning the talents of these individuals with key positions so the Government is better positioned to meet mission objectives and citizens are better served.

This website is a direct result of the Executive Order. In partnership with the Departments of Defense, Labor, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, and other Federal agencies, our vision is that this Website will be the preeminent source for Federal employment information for our Veterans, transitioning service members, their families, Federal HR professionals and hiring managers. Our goal is to provide consistent and accurate information and useful training and other resources in a way that will inform both the applicant and the hiring agency. ..."

Reference Source: FedsHireVets.gov

Ask Asa: Veterans' Benefits

2010-01-02T19:55:00.000-06:00

Article Title: Ask Asa: Veterans' Benefits
Snippet:

"... Charise Herbert of New York, who was recently honorably discharged from the military and is job hunting, writes: We paid our dues serving in Iraq putting our lives on the line. What do we do now? Charise, first you need to ..."

Reference Source: ny1.com

Change in maximum entry-age requirements for Veterans’ Preference Eligibles

2010-01-02T19:22:00.000-06:00

Article Title: Change in maximum entry-age requirements for Veterans’ Preference Eligibles
Snippet:

"... Based on the Board’s decision in Isabella, qualified preference eligibles may now apply and be considered for vacancies regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C. 3307. In order to determine whether it must waive a maximum entry-age requirement, an agency must first analyze the affected position to determine whether age is essential to the performance of the position. If the agency decides age is not essential to the position, then it must waive the maximum entry-age requirement for veterans’ preference eligible applicants. In instances where the maximum entry-age is waived, the corresponding mandatory retirement age for these individuals will also be higher because it will be reached after 20 years of Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) service for the entitlement to an immediate enhanced annuity. ..."

Reference Source: www.chcoc.opm.gov
Tags: maximum entry-age requirements for Veterans’ Preference Eligibles

Another Landmark Veteran's Rights Case

2009-12-30T00:14:00.000-06:00

Article Title: Another Landmark Veteran's Rights Case
Snippet:

"... this is a simple case. HHS violated the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) of 1998 when HHS selected a non-veteran over (the appellant) without obtaining approval from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).' " ..."

Reference Source: www.fedsmith.com

Interagency Council on Veterans Employment agree to publish plan to increase hiring of veterans by federal agencies

2009-12-27T00:28:00.000-06:00

Article Title: Interagency Council on Veterans Employment agree to publish plan to increase hiring of veterans by federal agencies
Snippet:

"... A draft strategic plan was discussed, which the council agreed to publish in January 2010. Additionally, the council agreed to use the fiscal year 2008 Report on the Hiring of Veterans in the Federal Government as a baseline by which to measure progress. A veterans' employment office is required to be set up in most federal agencies by March 2010. ..."

Reference Source: www.dol.gov

Governor Ritter Honors Helmets to Hardhats Program for Veterans

2009-12-27T00:21:00.000-06:00

Article Title: Governor Ritter Honors Helmets to Hardhats Program for Veterans
Snippet:

"... a program that helps veterans find training and placement for construction jobs got some recognition from Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. The federally funded "Helmets to Hardhats" was created in 2003. ..."

Reference Source: www.publicbroadcasting.net

VA Outsourcing Threatens Employment Opportunities for Veterans

2009-12-18T12:57:00.000-06:00

Article Title: VA Outsourcing Threatens Employment Opportunities for Veterans
Snippet:

"... On Nov. 9, President Obama issued an executive order aimed at enhancing the recruitment and promotion of employment opportunities for veterans. The order established a multi-agency “Council on Veterans Employment” and is supposed to develop a strategic plan on how to recruit and employ veterans for federal civilian service. According to the union, however, any plan developed by the Council should address the systemic risk to federal civilian employment of veterans posed by the expanded use of for-profit contractors. Ironically, the VA – the agency that strives to be the model employer of veterans -- has contracted out more jobs held by veterans than most other agencies. ..."

Reference Source: www.afge.org

Veterans Employment Program Office

2009-11-16T00:13:00.000-06:00

Under a recent White House Executive Order (b) within 120 days of the date of this order, establish a Veterans Employment Program Office, or designate an agency officer or employee with full-time responsibility for its Veterans Employment Program, to be responsible for enhancing employment opportunities for veterans within the agency, consistent with law and merit system principles, including developing and implementing the agency's Operational Plan, veterans recruitment programs, and training programs for veterans with disabilities, and for coordinating employment counseling to help match the career aspirations of veterans to the needs of the agency;

Executive Order: Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government

2009-11-09T14:21:00.017-06:00

Article Title: Executive Order: Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government
The Language of the Executive Order:

By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3 of the United States Code, I hereby order as follows:

Section 1. Policy. Veterans have served and sacrificed in defense of our Nation. When they complete their service, we must do everything in our power to assist them in re-entering civilian life and finding employment. Government as well as private employers should play a prominent role in helping veterans who may be struggling to find jobs. As one of the Nation's leading employers, the Federal Government is in need of highly skilled individuals to meet agency staffing needs and to support mission objectives. Our veterans, who have benefited from training and development during their military service, possess a wide variety of skills and experiences, as well as the motivation for public service, that will help fulfill Federal agencies' staffing needs. It is therefore the policy of my Administration to enhance recruitment of and promote employment opportunities for veterans within the executive branch, consistent with merit system principles and veterans' preferences prescribed by law. The Federal Government will thereby help lead by example in promoting veterans' employment.

Sec. 2. Council on Veterans Employment. There is hereby established an interagency Council on Veterans Employment (Council), to be co-chaired by the Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) shall serve as Vice Chair of the Council.

(a) Mission and Function of the Council. The Council shall:

(i) advise and assist the President and the Director of OPM in establishing a coordinated Government-wide effort to increase the number of veterans employed by the Federal Government by enhancing recruitment and training;

(ii) serve as a national forum for promoting veterans' employment opportunities in the executive branch; and

(iii) establish performance measures to assess the effectiveness of, and submit an annual report to the President on the status of, the Veterans Employment Initiative described in section 3 of this order.

(b) Membership of the Council. The Council shall consist of the heads of the following agencies and such other executive branch agencies as the President may designate:

(i) the Department of State;

(ii) the Department of the Treasury;

(iii) the Department of Defense;

(iv) the Department of Justice;

(v) the Department of the Interior;

(vi) the Department of Agriculture;

(vii) the Department of Commerce;

(viii) the Department of Labor;

(ix) the Department of Health and Human Services;

(x) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;

(xi) the Department of Transportation;

(xii) the Department of Energy;

(xiii) the Department of Education;

(xiv) the Department of Veterans Affairs;

(xv) the Department of Homeland Security;

(xvi) the Environmental Protection Agency;

(xvii) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;

(xviii) the Agency for International Development;

(xix) the General Services Administration;

(xx) the National Science Foundation;

(xxi) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission;

(xxii) the Office of Personnel Management;

(xxiii) the Small Business Administration; and

(xxiv) the Social Security Administration. A member of the Council may designate, to perform the Council functions of the member, a senior official who is part of the member's agency, and who is a full-time officer or employee of the Federal Government.

(c) Administration of the Council. The Co-Chairs shall convene meetings of the Council, determine its agenda, and direct its work. At the direction of the Co-Chairs, the Council more 3 may establish subgroups consisting exclusively of Council members or their designees, as appropriate. The Vice Chair shall designate an Executive Director for the Council to support the Vice Chair in managing the Council's activities. The OPM shall provide administrative support for the Council to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropriations.

(d) Steering Committee. There is established within the Council a Steering Committee consisting of the Secretaries of Defense, Labor, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security, the Director of OPM, and any other Council member designated by the Co-Chairs. The Steering Committee shall be responsible for providing leadership, accountability, and strategic direction to the Council.

Sec. 3. Veterans Employment Initiative. The agencies represented on the Council shall participate in a Veterans Employment Initiative (Initiative). Under the Initiative, each participating agency shall, to the extent permitted by law:

(a) develop an agency-specific Operational Plan for promoting employment opportunities for veterans, consistent with the Government-wide Veterans Recruitment and Employment Strategic Plan described in section 4 of this order, merit system principles, the agency's strategic human capital plan, and other applicable workforce planning strategies and initiatives;

(b) within 120 days of the date of this order, establish a Veterans Employment Program Office, or designate an agency officer or employee with full-time responsibility for its Veterans Employment Program, to be responsible for enhancing employment opportunities for veterans within the agency, consistent with law and merit system principles, including developing and implementing the agency's Operational Plan, veterans recruitment programs, and training programs for veterans with disabilities, and for coordinating employment counseling to help match the career aspirations of veterans to the needs of the agency;

(c) provide mandatory annual training to agency human resources personnel and hiring managers concerning veterans' employment, including training on veterans' preferences and special authorities for the hiring of veterans;

(d) identify key occupations for which the agency will provide job counseling and training to better enable veterans to meet agency staffing needs associated with those occupations; and

(e) coordinate with the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to promote further development and application of technology designed to assist transitioning service members and veterans with disabilities.

Sec. 4. Additional Responsibilities of the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. The Director of OPM shall, in consultation with the Council and to the extent permitted by law:

(a) develop a Government-wide Veterans Recruitment and Employment Strategic Plan, to be updated at least every 3 years, addressing barriers to the employment of veterans in the executive branch and focusing on:

(i) identifying actions that agency leaders should take to improve employment opportunities for veterans;

(ii) developing the skills of transitioning military service members and veterans;

(iii) marketing the Federal Government as an employer of choice to transitioning service members and veterans;

(iv) marketing the talent, experience, and dedication of transitioning service members and veterans to Federal agencies; and

(v) disseminating Federal employment information to veterans and hiring officials;

(b) provide Government-wide leadership in recruitment and employment of veterans in the executive branch;

(c) identify key occupations, focusing on positions in high-demand occupations where talent is needed to meet Government-wide staffing needs, for which the Federal Government will provide job counseling and training under section 5(a) of this order to veterans and transitioning military service personnel;

(d) develop mandatory training for both human resources personnel and hiring managers on veterans' employment, including veterans' preference and special hiring authorities;

(e) compile and post on the OPM website Government-wide statistics on the hiring of veterans; and

(f) within 1 year of the date of this order and with the advice of the Council, provide recommendations to the President on improving the ability of veterans' preference laws to meet the needs of the new generation of veterans, especially those transitioning from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the needs of Federal hiring officials.

Sec. 5. Responsibilities of the Secretaries of Defense, Labor, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security. The Secretaries of Defense, Labor, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security shall take the following actions, to the extent permitted by law:

(a) The Secretaries of Defense, Labor, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security shall, in consultation with OPM, develop and implement counseling and training programs to align veterans' and transitioning service members' skills and career aspirations to Federal employment opportunities, targeting Federal occupations that are projected to have heavy recruitment needs.

(b) The Secretary of Labor shall conduct employment workshops for veterans and transitioning military service personnel as part of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), more 5 and integrate in those workshops information about the Federal hiring process, veterans' preference laws, special hiring authorities, and Federal job opportunities.

(c) The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Homeland Security (with respect to the Coast Guard) shall:

(i) reinforce military leadership's commitment and support of the service members' transition process; and

(ii) institute policies that encourage every eligible service member to take the opportunity to enroll in any or all of the four components of the TAP.

(d) The Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs shall:

(i) assist veterans and transitioning service members in translating military skills, training, and education to Federal occupations through programs developed under subsection (a) of this section; and

(ii) provide training to employment and rehabilitation counselors on the Federal hiring process, veterans' preferences, special hiring authorities, and identifying Federal employment opportunities for veterans. Sec. 6. General Provisions.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) authority granted by law to a department or agency or the head thereof; or

(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 9, 2009.

Reference Source: www.whitehouse.gov