Washington, D.C. - U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Senior Policy Advisor Doris Hausser and Associate Director for Human Capital Leadership and Merit System Accountability Marta Brito Perez recently hosted a conference call with leaders from several prominent Veterans Service Organizations (VSO). The call, held at the direction of Kay Coles James, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, was a special effort to again reach out to the veteran community and make them aware of the April 20th OPM ‘Working for America’ recruitment fair in New York City. The fair is being held in association with the New York branches of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) of the Northeast, and Shomex Diversity Career Fairs.

The conference call and other OPM outreach efforts to veterans serve to reinforce Director James’ commitment to veterans and to strengthening relationships with VSOs, while providing pertinent information on Federal opportunities. At the conclusion of the call, OPM provided all conference call participants with a one page fact sheet about the upcoming New York City recruitment fair, which was sent to over 500,000 veterans throughout a number of their organizations.

The call included representatives from leading VSOs: Military Officers Association of America, the Korean War Veterans Foundation, the Blind Veterans Association, the American Legion, the Non Commissioned Officers Association and the Catholic Veterans of the U.S.A. During the call, Hausser highlighted Director James’ commitment to veterans’ preference, as well as some programs that give veterans an edge in the hiring process.

“Director James takes seriously her role to make certain veterans are accorded their rights in the Federal hiring process,” Hausser said. “She has charged OPM with creating more opportunities to ensure your continued service is sought out and rewarded. The President is committed to veterans’ rights and wants to ensure that his Administration keeps you as a priority.”

Additionally, OPM Associate Director Perez briefed the VSO leaders on activities associated with the upcoming ‘Working for America’ recruitment fair, such as a workshop on veterans’ preference and other special hiring authorities.

Additionally, there will be live workshops on interviewing, resume writing and a hands-on presentation at the computerized www.usajobs.gov booth.

"At OPM, we are playing our part in recruiting and encouraging veterans to consider civil service as a viable option once they have completed military service," said Hausser. "We know America’s veterans offer Federal employers proven loyalty in service to this nation that makes America’s government work well. One of Director James’ top priorities is to provide veterans with timely, accurate and useful information regarding civilian employment opportunities with the Federal government. The New York City recruitment fair is another innovative tool to make vast opportunities in civil service available to veterans and all Americans."