Employment

Veterans’ Preference


Since the time of the Civil War, Veterans of the U.S. armed forces have been given some degree of preference in appointments to federal jobs. Veterans’ preference in its present form comes from the Veterans’ Preference Act of 1944, as amended, and now codified in Title 5, United States Code. By law, Veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over others when hiring from competitive lists of eligible candidates, and also in retention during a reduction in force (RIF).

To receive preference, a Veteran must have been discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions (honorable or general discharge). Preference is also provided for certain widows and widowers of deceased Veterans who died in service; spouses of service-connected disabled Veterans; and mothers of Veterans who died under honorable conditions on active duty or have permanent and total service-connected disabilities. For each of these preferences, there are specific criteria that must be met in order to be eligible to receive the Veterans’ preference.

Obtaining Employment


Job Search Websites The Massachusetts Department of Human Services has put together a list of Federal and National Job Sites.

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission MRC's Vocational Rehabilitation Program assists individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment.


Massachusetts Department of Career Services


The Commonwealth's One-Stop Career Centers offer numerous events and workshops throughout the year to help individuals with their job search and career exploration.

Veterans' Employment and Training Services (VETS) The Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (VETS) program is provided with grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor. The grant allows the Division of Career Services to provide Disabled Veteran’s Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVER) at One-Stop Career Centers throughout the Commonwealth.

There are 32 One-Stop Career Centers located across the state in every major city, with branch offices in additional communities. While centers design services to meet local needs, there are core services that are similar across the statewide network. There is no charge for these services for veterans. DVOPs and LVERs (who work at Career Centers) give priority service to Veterans.

Additional Programs