Veteran and military spouse employment

This appointment is an authority that allows agencies to appoint eligible veterans without competition. You can be appointed under this authority on a temporary, term, or permanent basis at any grade level up to and including a GS-11, and the position may have further promotion potential. 

You are VRA eligible if you: 

• Earned a campaign badge for service during a war or in a campaign or expedition; or 
• Are a disabled veteran; or 
• Earned an Armed Forces Service Medal for participation in a military operation; or 
• Are a recently separated veteran (within the last three years) and separated under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) 

This authority allows agencies to appoint eligible veterans on a temporary (not to exceed one year) or term (more than one year but not more than four years) basis and to convert them to a permanent appointment without competition. 

You are eligible if you: 

• Retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more; or 
• Have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.

This authority allows agencies to appoint a military spouse without competition. We do not require a vacancy announcement when using this authority. Agencies can choose to use this authority when filling positions on a temporary (not to exceed one year), term (more than one year but not more than four years), or permanent basis.

As a military spouse, you are eligible under this authority if your military spouse: 

• Is active duty; or 
• Has a 100% disability rating; or 
• Died while on active duty. 

Have questions or want to submit paperwork? Send an email to MilitarySpouse@uspto.gov.

Though not specifically for veterans, the Schedule A authority for people with disabilities, 5 CFR 213.3102(u), is an excepted authority that agencies can use to appoint eligible veterans who have a severe physical, psychological, or intellectual disability. 

• To be eligible, you must show proof of your disability. Documentation may be from any licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine), a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private), or any federal or state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. 
• This authority may be used at the discretion of the agency. Candidates can be appointed at any grade level and for any job (time-limited or permanent) for which they qualify. After two years of satisfactory service, the agency may convert you, without competition, to the competitive service. 
• There is no limit to the number of times you can apply under this authority. 

More information can be found on the Feds Hire Vets special hiring authorities for veterans page or OPM’s Veterans Services Vet Guide. 

The USPTO proudly takes part in the Operation Warfighter (OWF) program. OWF is a federal internship program developed by the Department of Defense for active-duty service members who are recovering at military treatment facilities and seeking to transition back to the military or civilian workplace. The program is open to the active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve components. It provides training to help recovering service members find employment after discharge. OWF is a great opportunity for service members on medical hold to build their resumes, explore employment interests, develop job skills, and gain valuable federal government work experience to help prepare them for their adjustment to the workplace. 

Program eligibility 

You must:

• Be a U. S. citizen on active duty in the military placed on medical hold 
• Have approval from medical authority and command to participate 

Program elements

• Three-to-12 month initial appointments 
• You will be placed in a business area based on your skills, expertise and interest 
• Part time 20 hours per week, average; Your daily schedule will be planned around your treatment schedule 
• USPTO manager interviews and makes selection 
• You may receive training to improve your existing skills or learn new skills 
• You are paid by your respective military branch of the service 

While there is no guarantee of employment following the completion of an OWF assignment, service members released from medical hold status are considered potential candidates for full-time employment with USPTO, pending separation from the military. 

SkillBridge, developed by the Department of Defense, gives service members the opportunity to gain valuable civilian work experience through specific training, internships, and real-world job experiences during their final 180 days of service. This unique program can help bridge the transition from active duty to civilian careers.       

Program eligibility

• Member of the U.S. armed forces separating from active duty and entering/re-entering the civilian workforce (all military ranks)
• Must be expecting honorable or general discharge (under honorable conditions) within 180 days of program start date
• Obtain approval from your unit commander
• Must be in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area
• Agree that participation in SkillBridge can be terminated at any time if required by the service branch

Program elements

• 121-150 day (four- to five-month) internship appointments
• You will be placed in a business area based on your skills, expertise, and interest
• USPTO managers will interview and make selection(s)
• You may receive training to improve your existing skills or learn new skills
• You are paid by your respective military service branch

While there is no guarantee of employment following the completion of a SkillBridge internship, you may be considered a potential candidate for full-time employment with the USPTO, pending separation from the military. 

For more information and to submit the USPTO's SkillBridge interest form, please email SkillBridge.Opportunity@uspto.gov.

The USPTO is part of the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship. This initiative provides military spouses with: 

• Professional training, 
• Networking, and 
• Hands-on experience 

At no cost to program fellows! 

Learn more about the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship.

The USPTO is part of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP). MSEP creates employment connections between employers and military spouses seeking career opportunities.

Learn more about the Military Spouse Employment Partnership.