Veteran's Preference

The City of Pinellas Park shall give preference in appointment to eligible Veterans and eligible family members of Veterans per Rule 55A - 7.016 of the Florida Administrative Code, and Veterans' Preference in Appointment and Retention in Employment.

All individuals claiming Veterans' Preference must submit an FDVA form VP-1 and a Veteran's Preference Certification form. For information on any additional required documentation, please refer to the information below. Note: "DoD" refers to Department of Defense and "DVA" refers to the Department of Veteran's Affairs. FDVA forms VP-1, VP-2, and VP-3 are located in the required forms.

Disabled Veterans

  • DD-214, military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the DVA listing military status, dates of service, and Character of Discharge. Must have an Honorable Discharge.
  • FDVA form VP-1.
  • Veteran's Preference Certification form
  • A document from the DoD or DVA certifying that the Veteran has a service-connected disability.

Current Spouses of Veterans

  • Veteran's Preference Certification form.
  • FDVA form VP-1.
  • DD-214, military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the DVA listing military status, dates of service, and Character of Discharge. Must have an Honorable Discharge.
  • Evidence of marriage to the veteran and statement that the spouse is still married at the time of application.
  • Spouse of a Disabled Veteran: proof that the disabled veteran cannot qualify for employment due to the service-connected disability AND certification from the DoD or VA that the Veteran is totally and permanently disabled OR an ID card issued by the Department.
  • Spouses of Persons on Active Duty: must furnish a document from the DoD or the DVA certifying that the person on active duty is listed as missing in action, captured in the line of duty, or forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government.

Wartime Veteran or Recipient of Expeditionary Medal

  • FDVA form VP-1.
  • Veteran's Preference Certification form.
  • DD-214, military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the DVA listing military status, dates of service, and Character of Discharge. Must have an Honorable Discharge.

Unremarried Widow/er of a Veteran Who Died as a Result of Service-Related Combat

  • FDVA form VP-1.
  • Veteran's Preference Certification form.
  • DD-214.
  • FDVA form VP-3 "Certification of Unremarried Widow or Widower."

Parent, Legal Guardian, or Unremarried Widow/Er of a Veteran Who Died as a Result of Military Service Under Combat-Related Conditions

  • FDVA form VP-1.
  • Veteran's Preference Certification form.
  • A document from the DoD showing the death of the service member while on duty status under combat-related conditions OR the DVA certifying the service-connected death of the Veteran.
  • Spouses must show evidence of marriage.
  • Legal guardians must show proper court documents establishing the legal authority for the Guardian.

A Veteran Who Served in the Active Military, Naval, or Air Service

  • Veteran's Preference Certification form.
  • FDVA form VP-1.
  • DD-214, military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the DVA listing military status, dates of service, and Character of Discharge. Must have an Honorable Discharge.

Current Member of and Reserve Component of the U.S. Air Force or the Florida National Guard

(Exception: those serving on current active duty for training are ineligible for preference)

  • FDVA form VP-1.
  • Veteran's Preference Certification form.
  • FDVA form VP-2 "Certification of Current Member of the Reserve of the United States Armed Forces or the Florida National Guard.

Thank you to all of our veterans and their family members for their sacrifices and service to this country.