VA to Hire Veteran Employment Coordinators

[CAS3]

Forming Internal Task Force to Examine Veteran Job Development
WASHINGTON (November 9, 2007) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
today announced the initial hiring of 10 full time Veterans Employment
Coordinators to focus efforts to attract, recruit and hire veterans
throughout the Department. These coordinators will work closely with
the recently formed Federal Recovery Coordination Program to assist
Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans to
potentially obtain employment with VA.

"After our young men and women have concluded serving in our military,
VA will use every hiring flexibility available to bring their talents
and skills to our department should they want to continue to serve this
great nation through the VA," said Acting-Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Gordon Mansfield.

The Veterans Employment Coordinator job announcements will be posted on
www.usajobs.gov and www.va.gov/jobs with the goal of being hired by the
end of the year. The coordinators will work with veterans interested in
employment at the VA, including those who have completed one of VA's
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services programs.

"VA believes enhancing a veteran's opportunity for employment is not
merely the obligation of a grateful Nation. It is good government and
good business," added Mansfield. "This stepped-up recruitment and
hiring of veterans into the Department of Veterans Affairs ensures we
are able to employ some of our Nation's most highly motivated,
disciplined and experienced citizens."

Mansfield also announced the formation of an internal task force to
examine the Department's retention, training and development of veterans
already in the VA workforce. The task force will be led by the Office
of the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, with
employment experts from the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans
Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration, and
additional VA staff offices.

Approximately 31 percent of the 230,000 Department of Veterans Affairs
employees are veterans, and 7.7 percent are service-connected disabled
veterans.

[SgtJimc]

Good idea! From my experience, VA Facilities that employ actual Veterans seem to have a more "Veteran Friendly" atmosphere.