Special Appointing Authorities for Veterans
Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) Authority
The VRA is a special authority by which DCMA can appoint eligible veterans without competition to positions at any grade level through General Schedule (GS) 11 or equivalent (the promotion potential of the position is not a factor). VRA appointees are hired under excepted appointments to positions that are otherwise in the competitive service. There is no limitation to the number of VRA appointments an individual may receive, provided the individual is otherwise eligible.
After two years of satisfactory service, the agency must convert the veteran to career or career-conditional appointment, as appropriate.
Those who are eligible include:
- Disabled veterans; or
- Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; or
- Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded; or
- Recently separated veterans.
Veterans claiming eligibility on the basis of service in a campaign or expedition for which a medal was awarded must be in receipt of the campaign badge or medal.
In addition to meeting the criteria above, eligible veterans must have been separated under honorable conditions (i.e., the individual must have received either an honorable or general discharge).
Learn more about VRA here.
To apply to DCMA non-competitively as a VRA applicant:
Step 1: Log in (or create) your account at the USAJobs site.
Step 2: Create/Review your resume, and upload all supporting documentation documenting your eligibility for VRA. This should include your DD-214, and any other supporting documents (as described on the OPM website.)
Step 3: Go to our Opportunities tab and select the position you wish to apply for.
Step 4: Apply for the selected position, ensuring that you select the appropriate box for VRA, and attach the supporting documentation you uploaded earlier. Don't forget to attach your transcripts, and/or other documentation to verify your qualification for the position.