If you are a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were 

separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veterans’ preference, as 

well as other veteran specific hiring options.

Veterans’ Preference and Hiring Authorities

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE

Individuals, who, as a result of military service or 

their connection to someone with military service, 

are entitled to special preference in the federal 

hiring process. This includes honorably discharged 

veterans who served in a war, disabled veterans, 

Purple Heart recipients, spouses of disabled 

veterans, widows/widowers of deceased veterans, 

and parents of deceased veterans.

•	 Determine your eligibility for veterans’ preference in hiring at: 

https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/vets/vetpref/choice.htm

•	 For more information, visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/jobseekers/veterans/veterans-preference

VETERANS’ HIRING AUTHORITIES

If you’re a veteran, you may also be eligible to apply 

under one of these special hiring authorities:

Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA): A 

special authority that allows the hiring of eligible 

veterans without competition to position at the GS11 level or below. In addition, VRA eligibles may 

apply to merit promotion job announcements (those 

open to federal employees); if the job announcement 

is open to individuals outside that agency.

Veterans’ Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): 

A special authority that allows eligible individuals to 

apply to merit promotion job announcements (those 

open to federal employees); if the job announcement 

is open to individuals outside that agency.

30% or More Disabled Veteran: A special authority 

that allows hiring of eligible veterans without 

competition to any grade level position.

•	 For more information, visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/

job-seekers/veterans/special-hiring-authorities

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

You will be required to submit proof of veterans’ 

preference which includes DD-214, Certificate of

Release or Discharge from Active Duty (must show 

veteran’s character of service upon discharge), 

Standard Form, SF-15 and proof required by SF-15.

•	 Get your documents at https://www.va.gov/records

•	 You can upload and save documents to your USAJOBS 

account.

HOW DO I EXERCISE THIS OPTION?

If you are interested in position at NASA, 

we encourage you to apply directly to the 

announcement on USAJobs. Your veterans’ 

preference will be applied in accordance with 

applicable federal policies.

If you are a 10-point veteran and wish to submit 

a late or unsolicited application, please submit 

an inquiry to the NASA Shared Services Center, 

Customer Contact Center at: https://www.nasa.gov/

centers/nssc/forms/web- inquiry. Please specify 

the category as “Human Resources,” the area as 

“Inquiry” and in the description include that you 

are requesting to apply as a 10-point later filer and

list the specific vacancy announcement number for

which you would like to be considered.

COME EXPLORE WITH US!

To view our job vacancies and apply, visit 

https://nasai.usajobs.gov. Follow us: 

https://www.nasa.gov/careers

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasa

@NASAPeople

Learn more about 

veterans’ careers at NASA!