Veterans Preference Policy

The purpose of preferential credits for military service is to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from the military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. The program also provides assistance via preferential credits to former service members with service-connected disabilities and their spouses, and to the surviving spouse of a person who died while in the service.

Preferential Credits

There are three distinct military preferential credit programs all of which require the applicant to first meet the minimum qualifications for the job and then be successful in the evaluation process. The preferential credits (5 points) are only applied to the successful candidate's final score. Preferential credits are only given on open recruitments, not promotional opportunities.

A. Preferential Credits for First Employment/Reemployment with the County of San Diego 
• This credit is for the former service member who meets all of the following criteria:

o Has served within the last 8 years during a time of war or national emergency
o Has been separated from service under honorable conditions
o Has not been employed with the County of San Diego since leaving the service

·        The credit is applied to the successful candidate’s final score on each open recruitment eligible list.

·        The applicant cannot be retired from the service and receiving full pension.

·        The credit is 5 points added to the applicant’s final score.

·        The applicant must also provide their DD214 with completed fields 1-29 in order to receive veteran’s preference credit.

B. Preferential Credit for Veteran’s Spouse

• This credit is given to the spouse/surviving spouse of a veteran in the qualifying United States military service specified in the criteria listed above if:

o The veteran died while in the service or 
o The veteran is a former member of the service and cannot engage in a gainful occupation because
of a service-connected disability

·        The credit is given in addition to any other preferential credits

·        The credit is applied to the successful candidate’s final score on each open recruitment eligible list

·        The credit is 5 points added to the applicant’s final score

·        The applicant must also provide their DD214 with completed fields 1-29, Marriage License, and Death Certificate if applicable, in order to receive veteran’s spousal credit.

C. Preferential Credit for Military Disability

• This credit is available to the former service member who:

o Has been separated, placed on inactive duty, or retired under honorable conditions
o Has served during a time of war or national emergency
o Has a service-connected disability, as recognized under Federal law

·        The credit is given in addition to any other preferential credits.

·        The credit is applied to the successful candidate’s final score on each open recruitment eligible list.

·        The credit is 5 points added to the applicant’s final score.

·        The applicant must also provide their DD214 with completed fields 1-29 and Disability Letter from the Veterans Administration in order to receive veteran’s disability credit.