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News Release
Tuesday, December 7, 2004
Tel: 202-606-2402
OPM Pursues Veterans Though Partnership with The Los Angeles, California Kenny Nickelson Memorial Foundation For Homeless Veterans and Children
"In this way we are making a small payment on the debt of gratitude all American's owe our veterans for their courageous service," stated Director James.
Washington, DC - Under the direction of U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kay Coles James, OPM staff experts recently traveled to the west coast to participate in the "Veterans' Day Stand Down and Job Fair" being by The Kenny Nickelson Memorial Foundation (KNMF) For Homeless Veterans and Children in Los Angeles, California.
"I congratulate you on your commendable efforts to help America's veterans find employment," stated James in a letter to the Foundation's Executive Director. She went on to explain OPM outreach efforts saying, "Under the Veteran Invitational Program (VIP), OPM has been reaching out to veterans nation-wide to help them learn more about and successfully compete for Federal employment. In this way we are making a small payment on the debt of gratitude all American's owe our veterans for their courageous service."
"The Office of Personnel Management, representing all Federal employers, paved the way for veterans to apply for Federal careers," stated Doris Nickelson, KNMF Executive Director. "Many of the veterans who were employed rounded out the event by applying for new careers or lateral careers to open their employment horizons. Being able to apply online also simplified the employment process for everyone involved."
OPM employees staffed an information booth during the fair and educated the groups on veterans' preference and veteran appointing authorities, as well as the usajobs.gov website and the Federal application process. One of the key take-home products is the OPM-produced DVD "What Veterans Need to Know About Veterans' Preference," a comprehensive 40 minute video seminar of veterans' preference rights and eligibilities.
Available at usajobs.gov, OPM also has produced valuable online resources including the VetsInfo Guide which provides general information about how the system works and how veterans' preference and the special appointing authorities for veterans operate within the system. Also available is the VetGuide which gives detailed information about the special rights and privileges that veterans enjoy in Federal civil service employment.
The Kenny NickelsonMemorial Foundation conducts "stand downs," Personal Care Days for homeless veterans and other homeless men, women, and children living on the streets of Los Angeles. They provide veterans with medical, dental, vaccines, legal, employment, and transitional housing services and opportunities. They also distribute clothing, shoes, blankets, non-perishable food, hygiene supplies, gifts, toys and warm meals.
"It is a true honor to work with the good people of the foundation. They are an inspiration to all of us," added James.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is the leader in workforce management for the federal government. Our agency builds, strengthens, and serves a federal workforce of 2.2 million employees with programs like hiring assistance, healthcare and insurance, retirement benefits, and much more. We provide agencies with policies, guidance, and best practices for supporting federal workers, so they can best serve the American people.