Federal Hiring Authorities for Veterans (VEOA, VRA, 30% Disabled)

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) lets a preference eligible, or a veteran separated after three or more years of continuous active service under honorable conditions, apply to an agency's merit promotion announcements open to applicants outside the agency, and be selected for a career appointment. Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA), under 5 C.F.R. part 307, lets an agency appoint a qualified covered veteran without competition to a position up to GS-11 or equivalent. Covered veterans include a disabled veteran, a veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign with a badge, a recipient of an Armed Forces Service Medal, and a recently separated veteran within three years. After two years of satisfactory service the appointment converts to career-conditional. The 30% or more disabled veteran authority, under 5 C.F.R. 316.302, 316.402 and 315.707, lets an agency appoint a veteran rated 30% or more, or retired with such a disability, noncompetitively to a temporary or term job, which can then convert to a permanent career appointment.