SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL

  Topic:

VETERANS PREFERENCE 

Section:

RECRUITMENT AND EXAMINATIONS

Number:

 IV.17. 

 

 

Date Issued:

June 26, 1993

Date Revised:

November 16, 2011

 

 

 

 

PURPOSE:

To give preference points to United States veterans by adding five percentage points to final scores of candidates who meet specific criteria.

LEGAL BASIS:

County Code Section 3.20.070, Credits for Service in Armed Forces

Civil Service Rules V.N, Veterans Preference Credit

POLICY:

  1. The County Code and Civil Service Rules allow for a credit of five percentage points to be added to final passing grades of candidates competing in open examinations for classified positions. These candidates must have served in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or in related divisions, in a time of war or any expedition of the armed services, and have received an honorable discharge or a certificate of honorable act of service which can be properly documented.
     
  2. Veterans preference points can be applied to all qualified persons competing in open competitive examinations (i.e., those open to the public as well as to promotional applicants) with the exception of qualification appraisals, and do not apply to applicants competing in promotional only examinations.
     
  3. The required proof of military service with an honorable discharge must be provided to the Personnel Department by the final filing date of the recruitment.
     
    1. Valid documents: Proof of war-time or expeditionary service are indicated on a DD214 or a Certificate of Award.
       
    2. Date, type of discharge and branch of service are indicated on the DD214.
       
  4. The periods under which a veteran qualifies for preference points are as follows:
     
    1. War periods:
       
      1. World War II--December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946 .
      2. Korean Conflict--June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955.
      3. Vietnam War--August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975.
      4. Persian Gulf War--August 2, 1990 through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.
         
    2. Military expedition periods:

Military expeditions may fall outside of the war periods listed above, but nonetheless do qualify a veteran for preference points. Proof of service during an expeditionary period will be shown on a Certificate of Award.

PROCEDURE:

  1. Applicants indicate on the designated area of their applications if they are requesting veterans preference, and are instructed to provide a copy of the DD214 or a Certificate of Award by the final filing date.
     
  2. Personnel reviews the documentation to see if the requesting applicant meets the County's criteria.
    1. If yes, the applicant is coded in the applicant tracking system to receive veterans preference points.
       
    2. If questionable, Personnel contacts the applicant and/or the County's Veterans Service Officer to obtain additional information to make a final determination.
       
    3. If no, or if the findings are inconclusive, the applicant is not coded to receive veterans preference points.
       
  3. Veterans preference points must be entered into the applicant tracking system prior to computing the final scores.