Maricopa County Government Veteran Hiring Preference

Maricopa County says that, depending on the job, preference points may be available to veterans, disabled veterans, or a veteran's spouse or surviving spouse. The points come from ARS 38-492, which binds every political subdivision's merit system and is described in the Arizona entry: 5 points after more than six months of active duty under honorable conditions, 10 points for a service-connected disability, and 5 points for the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability or has a total and permanent one. Claim it in the county's online application. Law enforcement. Sworn jobs in the Sheriff's Office are under the Law Enforcement Officers Merit System Rules, republished in 1998. Rule 4.11 lets a veteran apply regardless of age if below retirement age, and adds 5 points to a passing entrance examination score after more than six months of active duty, or 10 points where the veteran "has a service-connected disability and is receiving compensation or disability retirement benefits". It does not apply to promotional examinations. Rule 1.53 defines a veteran as separated from active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard under honorable conditions. The rule is narrower than the statute in three ways. ARS 38-492(E) gives 10 points to a veteran who has a service-connected disability "or" receives compensation, so a 0% service-connected rating qualifies under the statute but not the rule's "and". The rule omits the 5 points for a spouse or surviving spouse in 38-492(D) and the 5 points for a reserve or Guard retiree entitled to non-regular retired pay. Its list of services leaves out the Space Force. Where the rule and the statute differ, cite the statute.