1. 11 Mr. Steve Muro Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs October 20th, 2010 Transition to the Civilian Workplace

2. 22 Mission The National Cemetery Administration honors Veterans with final resting places in national shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service to our Nation.

3. 33 Responsibilities Provide burial space for Veterans and maintain cemeteries as National Shrines Administer the Federal grants program for construction of state veterans cemeteries Furnish headstones and markers Administer the Presidential Memorial Certificate Program First Notice of Death

4. 44 National Cemetery Administration 131 Cemeteries 3.1 million gravesites Approximately 19,000 total acres 111,828 total burials FY 2010 1,700 FTE…71 percent are veterans Five Memorial Service Networks 1 Philadelphia, PA 2 Atlanta, GA 3 Denver, CO 4 Indianapolis, IN 5 Oakland, CA

5. 55 National Cemetery State Cemetery January 2010 _ National cemeteries offering first interments for both casketed and cremated remains Open National and State Cemeteries (Funded by the State Cemetery Grants Program)

6. 66 Status of National Cemeteries Open 71 Cremation Only 20 Closed 40 131 Fort Bliss National Cemetery – El Paso, TX Florida National Cemetery – Bushnell, FL

7. 7 Riverside (CA)8,077 Calverton (NY)6,500 Florida (FL)6,495 Fort Snelling (MN)4,666 Jefferson Barracks (MO) 4,584 Willamette (OR) 3,789 Fort Logan (CO)3,606 Fort Sam Houston (TX)3,590 Dallas-Fort Worth (TX)3,133 Ft. Rosecrans (CA)2,945 47,385 Most Active National Cemeteries FY 2009 Burials

8. 88 Eligibility Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies on active duty. Any veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. National Guard members and Reservists with 20 years of qualifying service, who are entitled to retired pay or would be entitled, if at least 60 years of age. Spouses and minor children.

9. 99 Burial Benefits Grave Site Opening and closing of the grave Grave liner Headstone or marker Perpetual care of the grave site U.S. Flag Presidential Memorial Certificate

10. 10 National Cemetery Administration FY 2010 – Memorial Programs 355,640 Headstones and Markers Provided 803,675 803,675 Presidential Memorial Certificates Medallion New Benefit

11. 11 Military to Civilian Transition Start your transition before you leave active duty. Whether your still in the military, recently left or a long time Veteran: –Look for job assistance –Set realistic objectives –Assess your abilities –Explore potential jobs/job markets –Have a effective resume –Apply for jobs both private and government –Job interview –Dress for success

12. 12 Military to Civilian Transition Job assistance –Family and friends – Your branch of the service –Office of Personnel Management –Department of Labor –Department of Veterans Affairs –State and local government –Your University

13. 13 Military to Civilian Transition Realistic Objectives What are your: –Interests –Skills –Work Values –Qualifications –Locations –Financial Considerations

14. 14 Military to Civilian Transition Assess your abilities (be realistic) –Skills –Training and educations Use VA’s GI Bill to get a Bachelor or Masters degree Certifications –Experience Can you translate your military experience into terms civilian employers can understand –Certifications and Licenses Pilot, dive, Security Clearance, HAZMAT, police accreditation, medical, law? –Work style and ethic

15. 15 Military to Civilian Transition Job market –Open –Hidden Private Governmental (Federal, state and local) Industry

16. 16 Military to Civilian Transition Effective Resumes and applications –Tailor for position you are applying for –Translate –Focus –Summarize –Format –Content –Appearance Don’t be afraid to ask for help Resumes either can open doors or eliminate you from the running.

17. 17 Military to Civilian Transition Apply for positions –Federal Government

18. 18 Federal Government Application Process Agency posts vacancy announcement Competitive service jobs Apply to the agency usually through USA Jobs –Optional Application for Federal Employment, Form OF-612 –Resume –Additional requirements, DD214, college transcripts, etc.

19. 19 Vacancy Announcement Position Title Series & Grade Salary Range Promotion Potential Type of Appointment Location Announcement Number Open/Close Dates Area of Consideration Duties Qualifications Application for Information

20. 20 Eligibles Agency generates candidates in 3 categories from the applicants –Competitive list of eligibles –Civil service status –Noncompetitive appointing authority

21. 21 Agency “Panel” Some type of agency review of the eligibles –VA has a “panel” –Usually an Intensive application review buy subject matter experts Interviews –May include several rounds of interviews Contact previous employers Security reviews etc Selection, Job Offer and Coming on-board

22. 22 Military to Civilian Transition Interview –Basic knowledge of the organization –Can be several types Screening Technical Hiring decision –Performance-based interviews

23. 23 Military to Civilian Transition Dress for success –Work environment appropriate

24. 24 Veterans Preference Recognizing the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve our nation, Congress enacted laws to prevent service members from being penalized for their time spent in military service. Seeks to restore veterans to a favorable competitive position for federal government employment. 5 Point 10 Point

25. 25 Veterans Preference Gives eligible veterans preference in appointment over many other applicants. Veterans' preference does not guarantee veterans a job and it does not apply to internal agency actions such as promotions, transfers, reassignments and reinstatements. Only veterans discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions are eligible for veterans' preference.

26. 26 Veterans Preference 5 Point Five points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a veteran who served: –180 or more consecutive days, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001 and ending on a future date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law as the last date of Operation Iraqi Freedom, or –Between August 2, 1990 and January 2, 1992, or –180 or more consecutive days, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955 and before October 15, 1976. –In a war, campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or between April 28, 1952 and July 1, 1955.

27. 27 Veterans Preference 10 Point Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a veteran who –Has a service connected disability or 10 percent or more, –Received a Purple Heart. NOTE: Disabled veterans receive 10 points regardless of their disability rating.

28. 28 Veterans Preference How it works –When agencies use a numerical rating and ranking system to determine the best qualified applicants for a position, an additional 5 or 10 points are added to the numerical score of qualified preference eligible veterans Preference eligibles are divided into 4 groups –Disability rating of 30% or more (10 points) –Disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30% (10 points) –Disability rating less than 10% (10 points) –Preference eligibles with no disability rating (5 points) –NOTE: Disabled veterans receive 10 points regardless of their disability rating.

29. 29 National Veterans Employment Program Veterans' Recruitment Authority (VRA) Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998 (VEOA) 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans Disabled Veterans Enrolled in VA Training Programs

30. 30 Veteran’s Recruitment Authority (VRA) An excepted authority that allows agencies, to appoint eligible veterans without competition. –You are in receipt of a campaign badge for service during a war or in a campaign or expedition; or –Are a disabled veteran, or –Are in receipt of an Armed forces Service Medal for participation in a military operation, –Are a recently separated veteran (within the last 3 years), and –Are separated under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge), you are VRA eligible.

31. 31 Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) The VEOA allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for Federal employment under merit promotion procedures (inside the federal government) when the agency is recruiting outside of its own workforce. Veterans preference is not a consideration when selections are made for these appointments. –a preference eligible (defined in title 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)) or –a veteran who substantially completed 3 or more years of active service

32. 32 30 Percent or More Disable Veterans Veterans retired from active military service with a 30 percent or more disability or who receive a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more from the Department of Veterans Affairs, may be appointed noncompetitively to a temporary or term appointment. There is no grade level limitation for this authority. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements for the position to be filled. –retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more; or –you have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.

33. 33 Disabled Veterans Enrolled in VA Training Programs Disabled veterans eligible for training through VA’s vocational rehabilitation program may enroll in training or work experience under an agreement between the federal agency and VA.

34. 34 Veterans Employment Program Offices Promote Veterans' recruitment, employment, training and development, and retention within their respective agencies. Veterans are encouraged to contact these individuals for specific information on employment opportunities in those agencies. Department of Veterans Affairs, Dennis May, vecs@va.gov 866-606-6206 vecs@va.gov www.fedshirevets.gov/AgencyDirectory/index.as px

35. 35 VA – http:// www4.va.gov/jobs/ USA Jobs – www.usajobs.com Office of Personnel Management – www.opm.gov Feds Hire Vets – www.fedshirevets.gov VA and Federal Government Employment Websites

36. 36 To recruit Veterans, NCA uses: – Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) – Veterans Recruitment Act (VRA) – Non-competitive hiring authority for >30% disabled Vets National Cemetery Administration The Leader in Veterans’ Employment

37. 37 National Cemetery Administration The Leader in Veterans’ Employment 71.75 percent of permanent NCA employees are Veterans Highest by far among any federal agency # 2 is Dept. of the Air Force at 49.5 percent NCA has hired 135 OIF/OEF Veterans since Jan. 1, 2009

38. 38 NCA Contracting with Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Veteran-Owned Small Business: –VA FY2009 Goal: 10 Percent of Total Procurement –VA FY2009 Actual:19.68% –NCA FY 2009 Actual:59.3% ($104.9M) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business: –VA FY 2009 Goal: 7 Percent of Total Procurement –VA FY 2009 Actual: 16.75% –NCA FY 2009 Actual:55.61% of Total Procurement ($98.4M) Construction Support Division awarded 100% of all construction contracts for Minor Construction, Non-Recurring Maintenance and Stimulus Funds to SDVOSBs.

39. 39 Questions and Comments