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Veterans Services and Resources

Contact: Veterans Services | 875 Union St. NE | Salem, OR 97311
Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM​​

 

Our Services

If you served in the U.S. military or are a spouse of a veteran, you can qualify for Priority of Service. This includes priority referrals to jobs and other employment and training services over non-veteran applicants with the same qualifications. Services include job search assistance, workshops, resume assistance, labor market information, career counseling, and referrals among other resources.

We are grateful for your service and our goal is to provide you with the maximum level of employment and training opportunities. Please identify yourself as a veteran or spouse of a veteran at your local WorkSource center upon seeking any services.

​​Priority of Service for Covered Persons

The Jobs for Veterans Act affords priority of service to covered veterans and eligible spouses over non-covered persons for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services provided under new or existing job training programs funded in whole or in part, by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible for priority of service you must meet the following definition as a Covered Person.

The term ‘covered person’ means any of the following individuals:
  • A veteran: A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

  • Eligible spouse: The spouse of any of the following individuals:

    • ​Any veteran who died of a service connected disability; or

    • Any veteran who has a total disability resulting from a service-connected disability; or

    • Any veteran who died while a disability so evaluated was in existence; or

    • Any member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who, at the time of application for assistance under this section, is listed, pursuant to section 556 of title 37 and regulations issued by the Secretary concerned, in one or more of the following categories and has been so listed for a total of more than 90 days:

      • ​missing in action, or
      • captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or
      • forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power. ​

​Priority of Service means the right of eligible, covered persons to take precedence over eligible, non-covered persons in obtaining services. For example, this could mean:
  • The covered person receives access to the service or resource earlier in time than the non-covered person; or

  • If the service or resource is limited, the covered person receives access to the service or resource before the non-covered person. 

​Below is a list of programs affected by the passage of the Priority of Service for Covered Persons law. This list is not all inclusive, but provides a good idea of the type of programs in which Priority of Service for Covered Persons exists. Before priority of service can be extended to any covered person in these programs, the covered person MUST be qualified to participate in the program.
  • WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker
  • Wagner-Peyser Employment Service
  • Trade Act Programs
  • National Emergency Grants
  • Senior Community Service Employment Programs (SCSEP)
  • Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Program
  • Indian and Native American Program
  • Job Corps
  • WIOA Demonstration Projects
  • Labor Market Information Grants
  • Career One-Stop Electronic Tools
  • Other Internet-based self-service tools operated by DOL programs

More information
Additional information concerning Priority of Service for Covered Person can also be obtained at the U. S. Department of Labor website.

And at the U.S. Federal Register (20 CFR 1010)​.

​All WorkSource Oregon (WSO) staff serve as your Veteran Representatives for employment and training. WSO staff continuously collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies and other veteran service providers and organizations to assist you with career transitioning. Our Regional Business Services staff participate in various special events to bring businesses and veterans together (i.e. job fairs, job developments, apprenticeships) and other unique events. 

Please identify yourself as a veteran or spouse of a veteran at your local WorkSource Center upon seeking any services.

Find a WorkSource Oregon center​

​In addition to all WorkSource Oregon (WSO) staff being Veteran Representatives, the Oregon Employment Department operates three specialized programs throughout Oregon to assist veterans, eligible persons, and businesses to connect with one another.​ 

Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP): DVOP specialists are professionally trained to provide exclusive services to meet the employment and training needs of special-disabled veterans, disabled veterans, veterans, and eligible persons.  DVOP specialist are actively involved in outreach efforts to increase program awareness and participation among those with the greatest barriers to employment.  DVOP specialists provide that customized one-on-one employment service that can include assessments, employment plans, career guidance, referral to supportive services (housing, trainings, connection to job openings, and more).  Your WSO Veteran Representative will refer eligible job seekers to the DVOP for additional customized services.

Local Veterans’ Employment Representative (LVER): Professionally trained LVERs conduct outreach to the business community and engage in advocacy efforts with hiring executives to increase employment opportunities for veterans, encourage the hiring of disabled veterans, and generally assist veterans to gain and retain employment.  LVERs seek out job developments for veterans and eligible persons using their established networks.  LVERs conduct seminars for employers and job search workshops for veterans seeking employment, and facilitate priority of service in regard to employment, training, and placement services furnished to veterans by all staff of the WorkSource centers.​ 

Consolidated Positions (CP): These positions perform the role of both DVOP and LVER. 

Find a WorkSource Oregon Center​

​Our support for Veterans does not begin or end at the front door.​​

541VETS LOGO-300px.png541VETS is a digtial library that offers training and employment resources for Veterans, Spouses and other Covered Persons in rural Oregon.

541VETS was developed to make sure every rural Veteran and other Covered P​ersons has equal access to high quality, supportive employment resources, regardless of physical location.

The digital library currently features the Tactical Career Training videos, and will grow to include more training videos, podcasts, community, business, and occupational spotlights.

Videos:
​​
​​​ Introduction & General Readiness

 Translating Military Speak

​Cover Letters
 Functional Resume​

Online Resources
​		 Combination Resume
​Hidden Job Market and Networking
 Informational Interview and
Job Shadow​
​Apprenticeships and
On-the-Job Trainings (OJT)
​
 ​Route and Area Recon
​Dress Code and
Personal Hygiene
 ​In-Person, Panel, and
Virtual Interviews
​Ask for the Job!​​
​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Connect with us and let us know if you’re a veteran, spouse of a veteran, or a survivor of a U.S. Service Member Killed in Action (KIA), so that we may have a positive impact using a force multiplier concept to serve you. 

"​A veteran and recent graduate was directed to WorkSource to seek help finding a job. Through resume targeting, help expanding their job search, and other assistance​​​, they were able to secure several interviews and were later hired in their desired field."

​-WorkSource Portland Metro

"A veteran entered the La Grande center with several employment barriers, like not having a valid drivers license. The veterans representatvie helped maintain a positive and movtivating attitude, create a plan to remain local, and help find a job in their field. They were later hired as a nurse, makeing over $30/hr."
​
-WorkSource La Grande

​​"Paul, the Grants Pass DVOP, worked with a veteran, who had numerous employment barriers, to help them find employment. After one-on-one interview coaching, resume assistance, and helping find counseling services, the veteran earned a full-time job with a starting wage of 19.50/hr."

​​-WorkSource Grants Pass

​"A veteran had multiple employment barriers, was recieving SNAP benefits, and had been out of work for three years with no income. WorkSource helped them rebuild their resume, look for jobs to return to the trucking industry, and paid for them to take their CDL test. After working with our representative and partners for a while, he started a full-time driving position. "

​-WorkSource Douglas

 Veteran Events: