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Hiring Information for Veterans and People with Disabilities
From developing the world’s first atomic clock to creating cutting-edge communication devices, innovation happens at NIST. If you’re a veteran, military family member, or a person with a disability, apply to join our team and be a part of the future of scientific research.
What We Offer
- Attractive benefits
- Career advancement opportunities
- Resources to support employees with disabilities
Federal Hiring Process for Veterans and People with Disabilities
Most of NIST’s federal employees are considered part of the Competitive Service. This means they were hired through a competitive process to a specific job announcement that was open to all applicants. If you’re an eligible veteran, you can receive preference in this process.
People with disabilities, military spouses, and veterans can apply to a noncompetitive process, though it will not guarantee you a job.
Veterans
NIST values the sacrifices veterans have made while serving our country, and veterans’ background and skills are critical to our mission. As a veteran, you can take advantage of veterans’ preference in the federal hiring process. Learn more about the types of preferences and how to apply.
Federal Hiring Opportunities for Veterans
- Veterans' Preference: Allows veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty during specified time periods (or in military campaigns) to receive preference over others in hiring from competitive lists.
- Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) Authority: Allows for the hiring of eligible veterans in a non-competitive process in positions up to the GS-11 level.
- 30% or More Disabled Veteran Appointing Authority: Allows for the hiring of 30% or more disabled veterans in a non-competitive process.
- Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998 (VEOA) Allows veterans to apply to merit promotion positions (roles open to federal employees).
Veterans' Resources
- VetGuide (Office of Personnel Management)
- FedsHireVets.gov (Office of Personnel Management)
- Veterans' Preference Advisor (Department of Labor)
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Disability Resources (Department of Labor)
- National Resource Directory (Department of Defense)
Military Spouses
NIST can use the Military Spouse Non-competitive Appointing Authority to fill positions on either a temporary , term or permanent basis.
Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses: Allows spouses with proper documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs to apply non-competitively.
You're eligible if you are:
- A spouse of an active-duty member of the armed forces.
- A spouse of a service member who is 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury at the time of separation from military service.
- A spouse of a service member killed while on active duty.
You are no longer eligible if you remarry.
You must meet certain criteria for each of these eligibility categories. Learn more about hiring options available to military spouses.
Your eligibility does not entitle you to a job within the federal government. You must still apply and meet qualification standards and additional requirements, such as a background investigation.
People with Disabilities
People with disabilities contribute to NIST’s mission in our scientific and administrative roles. We have the flexibility to hire people with disabilities through a noncompetitive process called Schedule A.
Apply to NIST Through Schedule A
If you qualify for Schedule A, you have two options to apply for roles at NIST:
- Contact selectiveplacement [at] nist.gov (selectiveplacement[at]nist[dot]gov) for instructions on how to submit your resume and Schedule A eligibility documents to NIST for consideration for future openings.
- Apply though NIST’s openings on USAJobs. Include your Schedule A letter and any other required documentation for the role.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or questionnaire process, notify the point of contact identified in the job announcement.