Federal Jobs at the VA: How to Get Hired by the Department of Veterans Affairs

The VA is one of the largest federal employers in the country. Here's how to get hired by the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2026 — including special hiring paths for veterans.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the second largest federal agency in the United States, with over 400,000 employees across hundreds of medical centers, clinics, and regional offices nationwide. If you're looking for a federal job, the VA is one of the best places to start.

Why the VA Hires So Much

The VA operates the largest integrated healthcare system in the country. It needs doctors, nurses, IT specialists, administrators, psychologists, pharmacists, social workers, engineers, and hundreds of other specialties — constantly. High turnover and mission-critical staffing needs mean the VA almost always has open positions.

Types of VA Jobs Available in 2026

Healthcare: Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physical therapists, psychologists, social workers

IT and Cybersecurity: The VA has one of the largest IT organizations in the federal government, with ongoing demand for developers, analysts, and security specialists

Benefits and Claims: Claims processors, rating specialists, and veterans service representatives at regional offices

Administrative and Management: Program analysts, HR specialists, contracting officers, budget analysts

Facilities and Engineering: Civil engineers, facility managers, biomedical equipment technicians

Special Hiring Paths at the VA

The VA uses several special hiring authorities that can speed up your application significantly:

Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA): Eligible veterans can be hired directly without competition

Schedule A: For applicants with disabilities

Title 38 Hybrid Positions: Healthcare positions at the VA are governed by Title 38 law, which gives the VA more flexibility in hiring and compensation

How to Find VA Jobs

Search USAJobs with Department of Veterans Affairs as the agency filter. FedJobs pulls all VA listings into your personalized shortlist and shows you which positions you're most competitive for based on your background.

Find VA jobs at FedJobs.co.