DEFINITION OF “VETERAN” FOR VETERANS’ PREFERENCE ELIGIBILITY
The term Veteran means a person who served in the United States of America active military, naval, or air service and who was released with an Honorable discharge.
Section 295.07(1), Florida Statutes, provides for Veterans’ Preference in employment appointment and retention, if qualified under one of the following categories, and not exempt under Section 295.07(5), Florida Statutes. Candidates seeking Veterans’ Preference must have received an honorable discharge or must present documentation stating current service is honorable.
ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES FOR CLAIMING VETERANS’ PREFERENCE
(a) Those disabled veterans:
1. Who have served on active duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, have received an honorable discharge, and have established the present existence of a service-connected disability that is compensable under public laws administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; or
2. Who are receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension pursuant to public laws administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Department of Defense.
(b) The spouse of a Veteran:
1. Who has a total disability, permanent in nature, resulting from a service-connected disability and who, because of this disability, cannot qualify for employment; or
2. Who is missing in action, captured in line of duty by a hostile force, or forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
(c) A wartime veteran as defined in Section 1.01(14), F.S., who has served at least one day during a wartime period; or who has been awarded a campaign or expeditionary medal. Active duty for training shall not be allowed for eligibility under this paragraph.
Wartime Periods:
World War II:
| December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 |
Korean Conflict: | June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955 |
Vietnam Era: | February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 |
Persian Gulf War: | August 2, 1990 to January 2, 1992 |
Operation Enduring Freedom: | October 7, 2001 to December 28, 2014 |
Operation Iraqi Freedom: | March 19, 2003 to August 31, 2010 |
Operation New Dawn | September 1, 2010 to December 15, 2011 |
Operation Inherent Resolve | October 15, 2014 and ending on the date prescribed by presidential proclamation or by law. |
| Service during a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge or expeditionary medal has been authorized. |
(d) The un-remarried widow or widower of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability.
(e) The mother, father, legal guardian, or un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the United States Armed Forces who died in the line of duty under combat-related conditions, as verified by the United States Department of Defense.
(f) A veteran as defined in Section 1.01(14), F.S. The term “Veteran” is defined as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under honorable conditions only or who later received an upgraded discharge under honorable conditions. Active duty for training does not qualify as a veteran for Veterans Preference eligibility under this section.
(g) A current member of any reserve component of the United States Armed Forces or the Florida National Guard.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR CLAIMING VETERANS’ PREFERENCE
Candidates seeking Veterans’ Preference must provide the required documentation from the list below depending on the category under which preference is being claimed. Please DO NOT ATTACH VETERANS’ PREFERENCE DOCUMENTS TO YOUR APPLICATION. Submit a copy via email to: Staffing@Broward.org; Fax to (954) 357-5782; or mail to Broward County, Human Resources Division, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 508, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Documentation must be received PRIOR TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT CLOSING DATE. If the position is “Open Continuous”, DOCUMENTATION MUST BE SUBMITTED IMMEDIATELY.
Acceptable Documentation
(a) | Department of Defense (DOD) document, commonly known as form DD Form 214 or military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), listing military status, dates of service and Character of Discharge; and a Document from the DOD or the DVA, establishing that the Veteran has a service-connected disability. |
(b1) | DD Form 214 or military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the DVA, listing military status, dates of service and Character of Discharge; and Proof that the disabled Veteran cannot qualify for employment because of service-connected disability such as an Award Letter stating that spouse is entitled to benefits under Chapter 35 from the VA or the DOD; and An identification card issued by the DOD; and a Marriage certificate or other official evidence of marriage to the Veteran; and a Statement that the spouse is still married to the Veteran at the time of the application for employment. |
(b2) | DOD or DVA document certifying that the Veteran is listed as missing in action, captured in line of duty, or forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power; and a Marriage Certificate or other official evidence of marriage to the Veteran; and a Statement that the spouse is still married to the Veteran at the time of the application for employment. |
(c) | DD Form 214 or military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the DVA, listing military status, dates of service, Character of Discharge. The document must indicate a qualifying “wartime period” as defined in section 1.01(14), F.S. or proof that the Veteran has been awarded a campaign or expeditionary medal. Active duty for training shall not be allowed for eligibility under this paragraph. |
(d) | DOD or DVA document certifying the Veteran died of a service-connected disability and indicating the cause of death; and a Marriage certificate or other official evidence of marriage to the Veteran; and a Statement that the spouse has not remarried since the date of the service-connected death. |
(e) | DOD document certifying the death of the Service Member while on duty status under combat-related conditions or the DVA document certifying the service-connected death of the Veteran; and Evidence of familial relationship: Mother, Father, Legal Guardian: Birth certificate or proper court documents establishing the legal authority for the Guardian.
Spouse: Marriage Certificate or other official evidence of marriage to the Veteran, and a statement that the spouse has not remarried since the date of the service-connected death.
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(f) | DD Form 214 or military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the DVA, listing military status, dates of service and Character of Discharge. Active duty for training shall not be allowed for eligibility under this paragraph. |
(g) | Current Reserve members and National Guard members should provide a signed memorandum from their military supervisor confirming their Active status in the Reserves or Guard. |
Note:
Veterans who have served active duty under Title 10 for six months or less are frequently not provided a form DD-214; therefore, it will be necessary for these veterans to provide a copy of their military orders containing their report and release dates and a letter of reference attesting to their "Honorable" service signed by the military human resources department or the commanding officer (or equivalent officer) in charge of their active duty assignment. Other documentation may also be required as per Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
POSITIONS THAT ARE EXEMPT FROM VETERANS’ PREFERENCE
The following list identifies the positions that are exempt under Section 295.07(5):
a) Positions of employment offered by the State as designated in Section 110.205 (2), F.S. (for a complete list see F.S.).
b) Positions in political subdivisions which are filled by officers elected by popular vote or persons appointed to fill vacancies in such offices.
c) Members of boards and commissions.
d) Persons employed on temporary basis without benefits and/or part-time positions.
e) Positions that require the employee to be a member of The Florida Bar.
FOR ASSISTANCE
For assistance with claiming Veterans’ Preference, please contact Shari Wiley, Human Resources Assistant Manager of Staffing Services at (954) 357-5536 or Brenda Prudent, Administrative Specialist at (954)357-6442 or Shimica Clark, Administrative Specialist at 954-357-6020. If you qualify for a position and have not received any information on a hiring decision within 45 days of the job post-closing date, or interview date, whichever is later in time, you may request an investigation by contacting Shari Wiley at swiley@broward.org or Brenda Prudent bprudent@broward.org or Shimica Clark at
shclark@broward.org.
COMPLAINT PROCESS
Applicants that meet the minimum job requirements and qualify for Veterans’ Preference who believe they have not been afforded employment preference in accordance with applicable Florida law, may file a written complaint requesting an investigation with the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA):
Email: VeteransPreference@fdva.state.fl.us
Mail: Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Attn: Veterans’ Preference Coordinator
11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311
Largo, Florida 33778-1630
The complaint must be filed with the FDVA within 60 calendar days from the date the applicant receives notice that she/he was not selected. However,
prior to filing a complaint, it is the responsibility of the preference-eligible applicant to contact Broward County’s Human Resources Division, Staffing Services at (954) 357-6020 at least one time after 45 days have passed from the final date for submitting an application or the interview date, whichever is later in time, if the applicant has not received notice of a hiring decision.
Prepared by: Broward County Human Resources Division, Staffing Services – Revised November 2021
