Direct Hiring Authorities

Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)

VRA authority can be used to fill FAA positions through the FG-11 grade level and positions at the equivalent level under other pay systems (e.g., core compensation or wage grade). The promotion potential or job category of a position is not a factor. The following Veterans are eligible for a non-competitive VRA:

• Disabled Veterans — Veterans rated CPS (compensable service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more) or rated CP (compensable service-connected rating of at least 10 percent but less than 30 percent).
• Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war declared by Congress, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized.
• Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) was awarded.
• Veterans separated from active duty within the past 3 years.
• For disabled Veterans and those with a campaign badge or AFSM, all time restrictions on appointments have been eliminated. However, Veterans who are not disabled and who do not have a campaign badge or AFSM may only be appointed within the first three years after their most recent separation. There is no minimum service requirement, but the individual must have served on active duty, not active duty for training.

Documentation Required

Submit the following with your application or before appointment:

• DD-214, Certificate of Discharge indicating either an honorable or general discharge.
• Documentation of disability rating either from the VA or a Branch of the Armed Forces; or documentation (indicating in the DD-214) showing you are in receipt of a campaign badge or service medal.

Disabled Veterans with 30 percent or more disability

An agency may give a noncompetitive temporary appointment of more than 60 days, or a term appointment to any Veteran who has a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more. There is no grade level imitation for this authority. The agency may convert the employee, without a break in service, to a career or career-conditional appointment at any time during the employee's temporary or term appointment, as it applies to:

• Disabled Veterans who were retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
• Disabled Veterans rated or officially documented by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements to include any requirement to achieve a passing score on a written test.

People with Targeted Disabilities (PWTD)

To be eligible for non-competitive appointments to FAA positions, a person with severe intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities must have appropriate documentation of disabilities from:

• A licensed medical professional (e.g., 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)
• Any Federal agency, state agency or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits

Documentation Required

The documentation must be on official stationery/letterhead and must state the following:

• The applicant is disabled as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
• Proof of Disability: An individual wishing to be hired under the FAA On-the-Spot hiring authority for persons with disabilities (Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) must provide proof he or she is indeed an individual with severe intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities. This proof must be provided to the hiring agency before an individual can be hired.
• Certification of Job Readiness: An individual hired under this authority must be ready to perform the job for which they are being considered. This certification is a statement that the individual is likely to succeed in the performance of the duties of the position for which he or she is applying. For instance, the certification of job readiness for an individual applying for a position as an Administrative Assistant or an Accountant may state that the "individual is likely to succeed performing work in an office environment." This certification of job readiness may be obtained from the same individuals that provided the proof of disability. The certification may be on the same documentation as the proof of disability or it may be a separate document.
• The applicant is physically qualified to do the work without hazard to self or to others.