Build a career that moves with you: VA opportunities for military spouses

Military life often brings change, including Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves that can require families to relocate and military spouses to navigate employment transitions. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes these challenges and offers programs, hiring authorities, resources, and retention flexibilities designed to help military spouses build and continue their federal careers. 

VA values military spouses 

Military spouses bring education, professional experience, adaptability, resilience, and an understanding of military life that can contribute to VA’s mission in occupations across the organization. Their experience navigating relocations, deployments, and other aspects of military life provides a valuable perspective on the military-connected community VA serves.

The 4+1 Commitment 

In 2024, VA became the first federal agency to sign the 4+1 Commitment, reinforcing VA’s commitment to recruiting, hiring, and retaining military spouses throughout their careers. 

As part of this commitment, VA continues to support military spouses in 4 key ways:

Job transferability and retention: VA has established retention procedures for eligible military spouse employees who must relocate because of their active-duty Service member’s PCS. VA first considers whether the employee can remain in their current position and, when that is not operationally feasible, explores other opportunities to retain the employee within VA and the federal government. 

Remote work: Eligible military spouses are exempt from VA’s return-to-in-person requirements when working under an approved remote work arrangement. When appropriate, VA may also appoint eligible military spouses to remote work positions, including current VA military spouse employees whose positions are suitable and eligible for remote work. 

Workplace flexibilities: Depending on the position, mission requirements, and applicable VA policy, military spouse employees may have access to workplace flexibilities that can help support continued federal employment during the unique transitions associated with military life. 

Administrative leave for PCS moves: Eligible VA military spouse employees may receive up to 5 days of administrative leave associated with a qualifying PCS relocation, consistent with applicable VA guidance. 

Get support from VMSTEP 

VA’s Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program (VMSTEP) supports Veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses as they navigate federal employment. VMSTEP provides employment resources, federal application education, outreach, and connections with VA recruiting and hiring teams.  

The program also supports eligible current VA military spouse employees during PCS-related employment transitions and works with VA’s Human Resources and other federal agencies to help retain military spouses in federal service. Learn more about VMSTEP and its offerings here.  

Jobs made for you 

USAJOBS is the federal government’s official employment site. Military spouses can search for opportunities open under the military spouse hiring path by selecting “Military spouses” under the “Hiring path” filter. Always review the “This job is open to” and “How you will be evaluated” sections of each announcement to determine eligibility and required documentation. Here are a few current openings across VA: 

For all openings, click here. 

Join our mission 

Grow your career, skills, and future at VA all while serving the heroes we hold dear.