Service-connected disabled Veterans need look no further than VA for post-military career opportunities, according to David Perry, VHA’s chief officer of workforce management and consulting.
Perry joined Mike Owens, VHA marketing specialist, on our weekly “Talk About It Tuesday” broadcast on LinkedIn to discuss careers for Veterans who were injured or developed illness during their service to our nation.
“That skill and training that you learned in the service is exactly what we’re looking for in VA,” Perry said. “We want you to come work at VA.”
VA is always on the lookout for transitioning military personnel and former military to fill critically needed positions, such as health care technicians, intermediate care technicians, mental health providers, physicians and physician assistants.
Perry reviewed the many government programs and hiring initiatives that help “level the playing field” and give Veterans, including service-connected disabled Veterans, preference in the hiring process.
He also recommended taking advantage of the Veteran Readiness and Employment program, which gives Veterans the chance to gain real work experience and training with a federal agency.
The topic was a personal one for Perry, who is a service-connected disabled Veteran himself. When he left the Air Force, he took advantage of VA services and benefits to help set him on a new career path.
“When I got out of the military, I didn’t know what I was doing. VA was there for me to guide me and [help me] transition into my next phase of my career,” he said.
He didn’t initially consider a career at VA, thinking there would only be opportunities for health care professionals. In 2010, he began working at VA in human resources administration. As chief officer of workforce management and consulting, Perry now assesses and forecasts workforce needs for VA.
“VA is so much more than health care,” he said. “There is no better place to work, in my opinion, than VA. The mission that we have in front of us inspires me everyday to come to work and put my best foot forward.”
Work at VA
If you’re a service-connected Veteran looking for a post-military career, consider helping us care for other Veterans.
- WATCH the Q&A with David Perry.
- SEARCH for a job opening.
- FOLLOW VA Careers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Glassdoor.
- CHOOSE VA at www.VAcareers.va.gov.
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LIES!! I am a VRA eligible veteran and I wasn’t hired. The last interview I had was for a position in the PIV office at my VA. I had the background for the job but the moron who did the interviewing hired the other candidate. You tell me, who is more qualified for a PIV Office position, someone who has worked for the state police or a store clerk??? Apparently the store clerk is! Then the moron saw me in the cafeteria a couple of days later and pulled me aside to tell me he had hired the other candidate. This was real professional of him wasn’t it??? I still have never received a formal letter from my VA telling me I wasn’t hired!!! The VA owes me money for all the time I haven’t been working for them since they never OFFICIALLY told me when to report for work nor that I wasn’t hired. Mediation is also bs. They see you coming and give you NOTHING!!! The VA should be paying me for the distress they’ve caused me!!!