Veterans' Preference in Hiring

Veterans, Disabled Veterans & Servicemember Preference 

Oregon state government provides preference in employment to qualifying veterans, disabled veterans, as well as current and former servicemembers of the Oregon National Guard, in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries enforces public employer compliance with veterans' preference requirements.

Qualifying for Preference

When submitting an application on the State of Oregon job board, you will be prompted to indicate your status as a veteran, disabled veteran, or Oregon National Guard state servicemember. Upon application submission, you will receive a task in your Workday account to submit your corresponding military documentation. Contact the recruiter or the HR office of the agency you are applying with for assistance (contact information can usually be found within a job posting but you can also look up agency contact info here).

The following documents must be submitted to qualify for employment preference:

Veterans (qualifying for 5 percentage points)

• A copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214 or 215) 
• Or a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicating the applicant receives a non-service connected pension
• Or a certification indicating the applicant is expected to be discharged or released from service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the submission of the certification.
  

Note: The DD214 must state character of service as honorable. Not all DD214 copies include the character of service. Please submit service copy 2, 3, or member copy 4.

Disabled Veterans (qualifying for 10 percentage points)

• A copy of form DD214 and a copy of a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicating a disability rating unless the information is included on the DD214 or 215
• Or a copy of a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicating the person is receiving service-connected compensation
• Or a copy of form DD214 showing an award of the Purple Heart
  
• Or a certification indicating the applicant is expected to be medically separated from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the submission of the certification.

Note: The DD214 must state character of service as honorable. Not all DD214 copies included the character of service. Please submit service copy 2, 3 or member copy 4.  

 

Oregon National Guard Servicemembers (qualifying for a 5 percentage preference)

• A copy of the Retirement Accounting Statement (federal DA Form 5016);
  
• Or a copy of a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (a federal DD form 214 or 214-1);
• Or a copy of a National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service (a federal NGB Form 22);
• Or a summary of benefits letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or any other official document, provided that the document demonstrates you are a state servicemember or former state servicemember;
• Or a certification indicating the applicant is expected to be discharged or released from service from the Oregon National Guard under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the submission of the certification.

 

Veterans Eligibility

To be eligible for Veterans' Preference, you must:

• Have served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States (US) for more than 90 consecutive days beginning on or before January 31, 1955
• Or served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States (US) for more than 178 consecutive days
• Or served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States (US) for 178 days or less and has a disability rating from the US Department of Veteran's Affairs
• Or served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States (US) for at least one day in a combat zone.
• Or received a combat or campaign ribbon or an expeditionary medal for service in the Armed Forces.
• Or be receiving a non-service connected pension from the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

Disabled Veterans Eligibility

To be eligible for Disabled Veterans' Preference, you must be:

• A person whose discharge or release from active duty was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
  
• Or have a disability rating from the US Department of Veterans Affairs
• Or awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat
• Or a person who is receiving service-connected compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs under 38 U.S.C. 1110 or 1131.

 

Oregon National Guard Servicemember Eligibility

To be eligible for Oregon National Guard Servicemember preference, you must be:

• A current state servicemember (a member of the Oregon National guard)
  
• Or a former state servicemember, discharged or released under honorable conditions.
  

Employment for Veterans, Disabled Veterans & Servicemembers in State Government

While serving your country you learned leadership, discipline, and many other valuable skills and attributes.  Put those skills to work in a job where you can continue to make a difference, grow your career, and enjoy the many benefits state government has to offer.  

 

Start Exploring Your Options

Sometimes our job titles don't tell the whole story. Take time to explore our job postings to find the work that match your qualifications and interests. 

 

Write with the Recruiter and Hiring Manager in Mind

You've developed a wide range of skills while in service to our country. Showcase how your skills can clearly transfer to a civilian role.

 

Use non-military language to describe your skills and experience.

Review the required and preferred qualifications listed on each job announcement, then clearly describe how your experience and qualifications match those.

There are online tools to help you translate military skills into plain language. The O-NET military crosswalk tool is a good place to start. Other options include the CareerOneStop military to civilian occupation translator and the Disabled Veterans National Foundation occupation translator. 

Be Clear and Thorough

Make sure you submit all of the materials required (resume and cover letter are sometimes required; if so the job posting will explain that).  Review your application materials to check for errors before you submit. 

If there are supplemental questions as part of the application process, be sure to answer thoroughly. Be as concise as possible, but don't leave out any relevant experience or skills. Any training or experience you refer to in the questionnaire should also be found on your application. (In other words, if you answer a question using details about a particular job, make sure that job also appears in the work history section of your application.) 

 

Don't Delay, Apply Today!

Apply for an opening that interests you as soon as you can. While most job postings list an application deadline, some recruitments may close without warning. We encourage you to apply without hesitation.