All of us OLD Vet's - an age issue.

[MyOwnNemesis]

Some good news for us geezers!

MEMORANDUM FOR HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
FROM: John Berry
Director
Subject: Change in maximum entry-age requirements for Veterans’ Preference Eligibles

On July 2, 2008, the Merit Systems Protection Board (Board) issued a final decision in Robert P. Isabella v. Department of State and Office of Personnel Management, 2008 M.S.P.B. 146, that affects preference eligibles who apply for federal positions having a maximum entry-age restriction. The Board decided that the agency’s failure to waive the maximum entry-age requirements for Mr. Isabella, a preference eligible veteran, violated his rights under the Veteran Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) because there was no demonstration that a maximum entry-age was essential to the performance of the position.

Based on the Board’s decision in Isabella, qualified preference eligibles may now apply and be considered for vacancies regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C. 3307. In order to determine whether it must waive a maximum entry-age requirement, an agency must first analyze the affected position to determine whether age is essential to the performance of the position. If the agency decides age is not essential to the position, then it must waive the maximum entry-age requirement for veterans’ preference eligible applicants. In instances where the maximum entry-age is waived, the corresponding mandatory retirement age for these individuals will also be higher because it will be reached after 20 years of Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) service for the entitlement to an immediate enhanced annuity.

The same principles set forth above would apply to appointments to other types of positions for which the setting of maximum entry ages are authorized under 5 U.S.C. § 3307. These types of positions are: (1) firefighters, (2) air traffic controllers, (3) United States Park police, (4) nuclear materials couriers, and (5) customs and border patrol officers (subject to the Federal Employees Retirement System, 5 U.S.C. § 8401 et seq. only).

Agencies are reminded that they are still required to apply suitability, occupational qualification standards, and medical qualification determinations when waiving the maximum entry-age requirements for preference eligible veterans.

Please contact the OPM Human Capital Officer that services your agency should you have questions concerning this policy change.
cc: Chief Human Capital Officers

[Nole795]

Man I hope that happens. I never understood why a 57 year old "sit behind the desk" FBI agent would have to retire, yet there are 60 year old patrol cops chasing down 16 year old thugs. I know so many good applicants who are over the age of 37 that would make great agents with the federal government.

Here is a another article ala' Federal Times:

Vets can get waivers of entry-age restrictions for some federal jobs
By STEPHEN LOSEY
August 31, 2009
Agencies will be allowed to waive entry-age restrictions for some veterans applying for federal jobs, according to an Aug. 26 Office of Personnel Management memo.
If a candidate eligible for veterans preference applies for a job with an entry-age limit — and if the veteran has passed that age — the hiring agency should review the position to see if age is essential to performing the job. If the agency decides age is not essential, it must waive the maximum entry-age requirement, OPM says.
Law enforcement officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers and nuclear materials couriers are among the jobs that currently have entry-age restrictions to ensure new hires can have full 20-year careers before reaching mandatory retirement age. For example, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at the Homeland Security Department must be hired before turning 40, and air traffic controllers at the Federal Aviation Administration must be hired by age 30. But those agencies and others could start waiving those requirements for veterans.
OPM said veterans whose age restriction is waived should also have their mandatory retirement age raised to ensure they can work 20 years and earn annuities.

The rule change stems from a July 2008 Merit Systems Protection Board ruling, which found the State Department violated a 37-year-old veteran’s rights by refusing to consider him for a special agent position.

Vets can get waivers of entry-age restrictions for some federal jobs - Federal news, government operations, agency management, pay & benefits - FederalTimes.com

[MyOwnNemesis]

Yeah, I was shot down by NFS for a 1811 spot in KY not so long ago. I was told by the SAC that everything for me looked great but I was just too damn old. I was pumped for the slot because it was in the DB National Forest - HIDTA - running through the woods chasin dopers and conducting Helo Opns...Heck, it sounded like the jungles of S. America...fun stuff. Well, this old fart (38) got shot down. Sniff! The sad thing is I remember a Discovery channel story on this Op a few years ago and one of the Agents was a LARGE bubble butt of a female trying to make her way along a game trail...all the while huffing and puffing talking about booby traps!