Washington, D.C. - An official from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) testified before Congress today on the agency's efforts to attract veterans to serve in the Federal civilian workforce. Anita Hanson, OPM's Veterans' Outreach Program Manager from the Human Capital Leadership and Merit Systems Accountability Division - and a disabled Navy veteran - testified today before the House Veterans' Affairs committee's subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

"OPM Director Linda Springer wants all veterans and returning service members to have full knowledge of the Federal employment hiring preferences they have earned," Hanson said. "We are working diligently to ensure these men and women know their rights, and know there is an avenue for them to continue serving their nation should they so choose."

According to OPM data from November 2006, approximately 456,000 of the 1.8 million employees of the Federal civilian workforce are veterans of the armed forces. Of these, nearly 50,000 are severely disabled. OPM works to ensure Federal agencies honor all laws and regulations regarding Veterans' Preference and special hiring authorities.

OPM staff frequently visit veterans' medical facilities and military installations to discuss options with transitioning service members, and offer training on applying for Federal civilian jobs, including assistance with resumes and the use of USAJOBS.gov (the Federal government's central job listing portal), as well as the ways Veterans' Preference can help them. OPM has established Veterans' Outreach Offices at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX to undertake these activities, with a third scheduled to open at Fort Carson, CO this fall.

In addition, USAJOBS.gov has been enhanced to make it more "veteran friendly", providing prominent links to veterans' employment information and web resources.

OPM has also accelerated its efforts to attract and retain the talent of veterans. The agency has produced two television ads featuring wounded veterans now working in a civilian capacity with the Federal government. These ads have aired in markets across the U.S. and have been well received. OPM also conducted a webcast on Veterans' Preference rules which is available at www.opm.gov .

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.