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\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nSEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NUMBER: G - 87 GENERAL ORDER RESCINDS: SUBJECT: Veterans’ Preference EFFECTIVE: January 18, 2022 REVISED: Table of Contents: I. Purpose II. Scope III. Definitions IV. Job Announcement Requirements V. Recruitment Plan VI. Duties of the Human Resources Division VII. Persons Eligible for Veteran’s Preference VIII. General Rules and Process for Preference in Initial Hiring IX. Employment Preference when using a Numerically Based Selection Process X. Employment Preference when a Numerically Based Selection Process is not used XI. Reinstatement or Re-Employment XII. Promotional Preference XIII. Hiring and Promotional Process Specific to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office XIV. Postsecondary Educational Waivers XV. Request and Determination of Veteran’s Preference XVI. Non Selection of Veteran XVII. Frequently Asked Questions I. PURPOSE: Chapter 295 Florida Statutes sets forth many benefits eligible to veterans and members of their families. The purpose of this directive is to address the provision of veteran preference in employment, retention and promotion in positions as required by Chapter 295 Florida Statutes and the implementation and claim of said preference at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office to eligible veterans and their family members. Pursuant to Florida Law, veteran’s preference does not apply to any person who has been classified by any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States as a deserter or who received less than an honorable discharge upon separation or discharge from the Armed Forces. The Sheriff is committed to providing employment, retention, and promotional preference to eligible veterans and reservists and eligible family members whose employment with SCSO is interrupted by active duty military service. II. SCOPE: This General Order applies to hiring, retention and promotion of eligible candidates and the office members involved in the recruitment, hiring and promotional process at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. This GENERAL ORDER Veterans’ Preference G-87 Page 1 OF 13\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGeneral Order also applies to those persons eligible who seek a veteran’s preference in employment, retention and promotion. III. DEFINITIONS: A. Appointment Employment of a preference-eligible applicant into a vacant position with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. B. Armed Forces or Armed Services The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard of the United States. C. Augmented Rating The final numerical score received by a preference-eligible applicant after it is increased by Veterans’ Preference augmentation points (or percentage) in accordance with section 295.08, F.S., and Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) Rule 55A-7.010. D. Death under Combat Related Conditions The death was determined by the Department of Defense or U.S. Government to have occurred as the direct result of armed conflict, while engaged in hazardous service, in the performance of duties under conditions simulating war, or through an instrumentality of war. E. DVA The Department of Veteran Affairs. F. Examination Any selection device which results in a numerical score and by which applicants are determined eligible for consideration for a specific position. These devices include the following: a. A written or proficiency assessment of an applicant’s knowledge, skills, and abilities; b. An assessment of the essential knowledge, skills, abilities, and other job-related requirements possessed by an applicant, or c. An evaluation of the applicant’s training and experience. G. Family Member For the purpose of Veterans’ Preference, includes the mother, father, legal guardian, or un-remarried widow or widower of a veteran. H. FDVA The Florida Division of Veterans Affairs. I. Florida National Guard Either the Florida Air National Guard or Florida Army National Guard. J. Minimum Qualifications A specification of the kinds of experience, training, education, and licensure or certification (if applicable) that provides appropriate job-related evidence that an applicant possesses the minimum required knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to the discharge of the duties involved. Minimum qualifications also includes a person meeting all minimum hiring standards applicable to any applicant for the position such as meeting any statutory requirement, background evaluation standards and other minimum prerequisites set by civil service or the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, provided these minimum standards are advertised. GENERAL ORDER Veterans’ Preference G-87 Page 2 OF 13\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nK. Numerically Based Selection Process An examination resulting in a numerical score that is used to determine the qualifications for employment. L. Preference-Eligible Applicant or Preferred Applicant An applicant eligible for preference in appointment or employee eligible for preference in retention pursuant to section 295.07, F.S., including certain service members and veterans, and the spouse and family members of the service members and veterans. M. Promotion Does not include a lateral move or reassignment of duties within the same classification. N. Reserve Component of the United States Armed Forces The United States Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve. O. Service member As found in section 295.065, F.S., includes a person currently serving in the active military, naval, or air service under honorable status or a “veteran” as defined in section 1.01(14), F.S. P. Vacant Position A position which the employer has announced as being open for recruitment and available to all applicants. A position that is announced as being open to current employees only, to be filled by the reassignment, promotion or demotion of an employee is not a vacant position for purposes of veterans’ preference in hiring. Q. Veteran or Wartime Veteran - is defined in section 1.01(14), F.S. a. Active duty for training will not qualify a veteran for Veterans’ Preference eligibility. b. To receive benefits as a “Wartime Veteran,” a veteran must have served at least 1 day in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, including any armed forces expeditionary medal or the global war on terrorism medal, or during one of the specific periods of wartime service described in section 1.01(14), F.S. R. Veterans’ Preference Laws enacted to prevent veterans from being penalized in their civilian careers for their time in military service. Preference shall be awarded as detailed in section 295.08, F.S., when numerically based selection is used and Section 295.085, F.S. when numerically based selection is not used. IV. JOB ANNOUNCEMENT REQUIREMENTS: All written job announcements and audio and video advertisements used by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, to include those posted by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Civil Service Board must include a notice stating that Preference-Eligible Applicant service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority, and that certain Preference- Eligible Applicants may be eligible to receive waivers for post-secondary educational requirements, in employment and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled. V. RECRUITMENT PLAN: A. Florida Statute 295.07 (5) (a) requires the development and the implementation of a written veterans’ recruitment plan that establishes annual goals for ensuring the full use of veterans in the Sheriff’s Office workforce. The Division of Human Resources shall be responsible for the development of GENERAL ORDER Veterans’ Preference G-87 Page 3 OF 13\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nsuch a plan that shall be applicable to all eligible persons described in Section VII of this General Order. B. The Division of Human Resources shall post its written veterans’ recruitment plan on the Sheriff’s Office external and internal we