Proof of Eligibility for Veterans
 Veteran’s Preference Categories
 Wartime Periods as defined by Law
 Summary of Changes effective July 1, 2007
 Documentation for Veteran’s Preference
 Promotional Provisions for County Employees

Preference is given to qualified veterans or their spouses in filling vacant positions following state law requirements.  Veteran's preference does not apply to certain exempt positions, such as department heads.

Proof of Eligibility for Veterans
If you are claiming veterans’ preference, each time you apply for a job, you must:  provide the required information in the Veterans' Preference section of the employment application, prove eligibility, and request the preference within the specified time period.
 
Copies of your documents must be received by Human Resources within three calendar days (four, if Monday is a legal holiday) of the recruitment’s closing date.  Documents that arrive after the deadline will not be accepted. Documents may be submitted in one of the following manners:  via U.S. mail; hand-delivered by the applicant or representative; attached to an email or via facsimile.  Copies should be marked to show the job posting number and classification for which you are claiming preference.

• Documents may be mailed to: Miami-Dade County, Human Resources, Personnel Services Division, 111 N.W. 1st Street, Suite 2020, Miami, FL  33128-1906
• Documents may be scanned and emailed to: vets@miamidade.gov
• Documents may be sent via facsimile to (305) 679-7545
  

Please note that veterans’ preference will not be awarded unless the documentation is complete and received on a timely basis. Do not submit originals as documents cannot be returned.    TOP

Veteran’s Preference Categories
Veterans must select one of the following categories:

1. A veteran with a compensable service-connected disability who is eligible for or receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension under public laws administered by the Veterans' Affairs and/or Department of Defense, or
2. The spouse of a veteran who cannot qualify for employment because of a total and permanent service-connected disability, or spouse of a veteran missing in action, captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power, or
3. A veteran of any war who has served at least one day during a wartime period and was subsequently discharged from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions. Active duty for training does not fulfill this requirement. Effective July 1, 2007, a veteran who served honorably who has not met the criteria for the award of a campaign or expeditionary medal for service in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, qualifies for preference in appointment. The Service dates are defined as follows:
   • Operation Enduring Freedom-October 7, 2001 to present
   • Operation Iraqi Freedom-March 19, 2003 to present, or
4. The unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who died of a service-connected injury or disability, or
5. A veteran who has served in a qualifying campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge or expeditionary medal has been authorized; including any Armed Forces.   TOP
    
    Wartime periods as defined by law include:
   
     World War II - From December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
     Korean Conflict - From June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
     Vietnam Era - From February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975
     Persian Gulf War - From August 2, 1990 to January 2, 1992
     Operation Enduring Freedom-October 7, 2001 to present
     Operation Iraqi Freedom-March 19, 2003 to present
     Such other wartime periods as may be added by state law  

 Summary of Changes effective July 1, 2007

• Preference eligibility no longer expires upon appointment of the eligible person to a position with the state or any position or any political subdivision in the state.
• Persons who were previously ineligible for preference because they held or are currently holding a job with a public employer are now eligible to use their veterans' preference again with all employers covered by law.
• Persons who were previously ineligible for preference because they did not serve during an eligible wartime period may now be eligible for veterans' preference if they served during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Documentation substantiating your claim (Form DD -214 member 4 copy)

or

• Letter from the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs

or

• Department of Defense indicating service-connected disability must be received by Human Resources within three calendar days (four calendar days if Monday is a legal holiday) after the job posting close date through one of the following methods:
  
  
  • FAX: (305) 679-7545
  • Email: vets@miamidade.gov
  • U.S. mail: Human Resources, Personnel Services Division, 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 2020, Miami, FL 33128.   TOP

Veterans’ Preference Documentation
Depending upon the type of veterans’ preference you are claiming, the following documentation may suffice:

• Veteran – Form DD-214 (member 4) or military discharge papers (or equivalent certification from the VA) listing military status, dates of service and discharge type and campaign and expeditionary medals awarded
• Disabled Veteran – Form DD-214 (member 4) or military discharge papers (or equivalent certification from the DVA) listing military status, dates of service, discharge type and campaign and expeditionary medals awarded; documents from the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) or the Division of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) certifying to the existence of a compensable service disability dated within the year
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran – Form DD-214 (member 4) or military discharge papers (or equivalent certification from the VA) listing military status, dates of service and discharge type. Certification from the DVA that the veteran is totally and permanently disabled
  • Evidence of marriage to the veteran and a statement that he/she is still married to him/her when applying for employment
  • Proof that the disabled veteran cannot qualify for employment because of the service-connected disability
• Spouse of Veteran Missing in Action, Captured or Forcibly Detained  – A document from the DVA certifying that the person on active duty is listed as missing in action, captured in the line of duty, or forcibly detained/interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power
  • Evidence of marriage to the veteran and a statement that he/she is married to the person in active duty when applying for employment
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran - Document from the DOD or DVA certifying the service-connected death of the veteran
  • Evidence of marriage and a statement that the widow or widower has not remarried    

Promotional Provisions for County Employees
Miami-Dade County employees who leave their employment to serve in the armed forces may be eligible for veteran's preference for promotion upon their return to the civilian workforce. To be eligible for preferential treatment pursuant to this paragraph, the veteran must have had an honorable discharge from the armed forces and be reinstated as a county employee within the time frame prescribed to their respective military tours.TOP