Silver State Times

The Nevada Department of Administration’s Veteran Hiring Program for state jobs is being expanded to help spouses of active-duty U.S. military and veterans.

Veterans now make up 6.2% of the state workforce, an increase from 1.8% in 2016.

The Veteran Hiring Program was instituted in 2015 within the Department of Administration to recruit veterans and support their hiring for Nevada state jobs, a recent press release from Gov. Steve Sisolak’s office said. In the past year, 70 veterans on average have been hired per quarter, a dramatic increase from the previous eight per quarter. The program will now help spouses as well.

“This includes assistance to spouses to identify state job openings that match well with their skills, education, and experience; answering questions about state employment and the state hiring process; support through the application process; and connecting spouses to relevant local and national resources,” the release said.

In 2019, Sisolak established the Veteran Peer Mentor Program, which complements the Veteran Hiring program by offering support, mentoring and professional development for veterans employed by the state.

“Since day one, veterans have been a priority for me and my administration,” Sisolak said in the release. “I am incredibly proud of the strides we have made through these programs to make Nevada state government a veteran-friendly employer. Not only are we assisting veterans in the transition to civilian life, but our state government is made stronger and more diverse by the unique skill sets, life experiences, and perspectives these veterans bring to work. I am especially grateful for the veteran peer mentors who, through their voluntary service, provide vital person-to-person connection and support.”

Veteran Hiring Program information is available at nvjobs.nv.gov/Veterans/Veterans, information on careers for spouses of active-duty U.S. military members or veterans is available at nvjobs.nv.gov/Veterans/Spouses, and career information is available at nvjobs.nv.gov; the release said.