Senate Clears Corrado Bill that Would Allow More Veterans to Qualify for NJ Civil Service Job Preferences

Senator Kristin Corrado’s measure clarifying eligibility requirements for veterans qualifying for civil service job hiring preferences in the state was approved today by the Senate.

The bipartisan bill, S-2968, amends the definition of veteran for the civil service hiring preferences, removing the prerequisite of specific lengths of service time, and broadening the locations designated for eligibility.

“This measure would provide a more equitable determination of which veterans are designated for preferential civil service ranking,” said Corrado (R-40). “The changes would more accurately reflect the intention of making it easier for veterans to find employment. The veterans’ preference is a well-deserved benefit for men and women who served our country in the military.”

Eligible Veterans are provided an absolute Veterans Preference when applying for a New Jersey civil service position. The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs (DMAVA) web site says “this means that qualified New Jersey Veterans who receive a passing score are placed at the top of open competitive employment lists, ahead of Non-Veterans, regardless of their scores.”

New Jersey law requires veterans to “have received an honorable discharge from active duty that includes dates of service during a qualifying war era,” according to the DMAVA site.