ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13518Executive OrderObama · D

Executive Order 13518

Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government

This executive order establishes a government-wide initiative to increase veteran hiring in the federal workforce by creating an interagency Council on Veterans Employment, requiring agencies to develop operational plans and designate veterans employment offices, and mandating training for HR personnel and hiring managers on veterans' preferences and special hiring authorities.

Federal Register Open PDF 74 FR 58533

Impact dates

  1. OPM develop initial Government-wide Veterans Recruitment and Employment Strategic Plan

  2. Strategic Plan update cycle

  3. OPM provide recommendations to President on improving veterans' preference laws

  4. Agencies establish Veterans Employment Program Office or designate full-time officer

Key directives

  • Establish interagency Council on Veterans Employment co-chaired by Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs, with OPM Director as Vice Chair
  • Council to establish performance measures and submit annual reports to President
  • Each agency to develop agency-specific Operational Plan for veteran employment
  • Agencies to establish Veterans Employment Program Office or designate full-time responsible officer within 120 days
  • Mandatory annual training for agency HR personnel and hiring managers on veterans' employment
  • OPM to develop Government-wide Veterans Recruitment and Employment Strategic Plan, updated at least every 3 years
  • OPM to compile and post Government-wide statistics on veteran hiring on OPM website
  • OPM to provide recommendations to President on improving veterans' preference laws within 1 year
  • Secretaries of Defense, Labor, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security to develop counseling and training programs aligned to Federal occupations with heavy recruitment needs
  • Secretary of Labor to integrate Federal hiring information into Transition Assistance Program workshops
  • Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Homeland Security (Coast Guard) to institute policies encouraging TAP enrollment

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Establishment of Council on Veterans Employment with co-chairs (Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs) and Vice Chair (OPM Director)
  • Establishment of Steering Committee within Council

Near term (90d)

  • Agencies must establish Veterans Employment Program Office or designate full-time officer within 120 days (by March 9, 2010)

Long term

  • OPM to develop Government-wide Veterans Recruitment and Employment Strategic Plan, updated at least every 3 years
  • OPM to provide recommendations to President on improving veterans' preference laws within 1 year (by November 9, 2010)
  • Council to submit annual reports to President on status of Veterans Employment Initiative
  • Ongoing: mandatory annual training for HR personnel and hiring managers
  • Ongoing: counseling and training programs for veterans and transitioning service members

Risks & tensions

  • Subject to availability of appropriations may limit implementation scope
  • 'To the extent permitted by law' qualifiers throughout may constrain action
  • No enforcement mechanism specified for agency non-compliance with operational plans
  • Annual report requirement lacks specified due date or consequences for non-submission
  • Vague: timeline for initial Strategic Plan development not specified
Executive Order 13518: Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government · Executive Orders