The Northern Kentucky Department for Employment Services’ (DES) offices have Local Veterans Employment Representatives and Disabled Veteran Outreach Specialists assigned specifically to assist veterans with their employment and training needs. These dedicated veteran service staff work with other DES staff, Veterans' Employment and Training Service, Department of Veterans Affairs and various organizations whose focus is also to provide veterans with priority services designed to improve their employability and career options.

Job Placement:

Employers in your local area list their job openings with the Department for Employment Services (DES) and provide us with a job description and a list of qualifications required for the position. When you register with DES, you will need to provide information relating to your work history, experience, skills and any special training and education that you may have.  This will allow us to conduct a more effective job search for you. You may visit the DES Office that is in your area to obtain personal assistance.  Soon you will be able to Self-Register on-line.  Until this service is added on-line you can Self-Register in any DES office. You may find it useful to print a copy of the DES Registration Form and complete it before going into the office.  By having all your information ready when you go into the office your Self-Registration process will go much faster.

In addition to our staff conducting job searches for you, our automated computer system will also match your qualifications with the employer's needs. When a job matching your qualifications occurs, you will be contacted by our Local Veteran Representatives or other agency staff. You may also be contacted by our automated phone notification system to arrange for a job referral that will hopefully result with you becoming employed.

Job Search Assistance:

In our resource centers there are personal computers and staff to assist you in your job search and other employment related activities, such as:

		Resume Preparation
		Resource Materials
		Job Search Workshops
		Interviewing Techniques
		Internet Access
		Labor Market Information
		Self Assessment

Programs and Services:

The Northern Kentucky Department for Employment Services is responsible for the administration of a number of programs and services designed to assist job and service seekers in a variety of employment related areas.

Virtual Workshop Center:

The Department for Employment Services wants to introduce you to our Virtual Workshop Center.  Although we offer workshops at many of our locations, we understand that your schedule may not allow you the flexibility to attend these workshops in person.  That is why we are providing you an alternative method of accessing these services.  

Unemployment Compensation: 

You may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance Benefits when you complete military service and begin to seek employment or if you lose your civilian job.

Welfare-To-Work & Work Opportunity 
Tax Credit:

These federal programs encourage employers to hire certain types of workers, including veterans from families currently or recently receiving public assistance or food stamps. If you qualify, your employer can apply to the Kentucky Department for Employment Services for this federal income-tax credit. 

Getting Your Old Job Back: USERRA

The Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA) provides benefits and guidance to returning service members who are seeking re-employment with their former employers. 

A veteran who has recently returned from a tour of duty has special reemployment rights under federal law. Veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve called to active duty or training have the right to return to their civilian jobs – in both the private and public sectors – with all the benefits they would have accrued if not for their military service. If you qualify, your former employer could be required to hire you back, complete with any seniority benefits that have accrued during your absence. You must apply to your former employer within 90 days after your separation from active duty. ( more about USERRA)

U.S. Department of Labor  
Kentucky Veteran's Employment &
Training Service Representatives

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) administers, coordinates and provides policy guidelines and technical assistance in the implementation of VETS Programs in Kentucky.  VETS administers the Homeless Veterans grant, provides transitional assistance to veterans coming out of the military, conducts investigation of alleged violation of or disputes arising under the Uniformed Services Employment and ReEmployment Rights Act (USERRA) and is responsible for monitoring the Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) administered by the Kentucky Department for Employment Services. 

Charles R. "Rick" Netherton, Director
Bonnie J. Kunkle, VPA

Veterans' Employment & Training Service
U.S. Department of Labor
Department for Employment Services
275 East Main Street
(CHR Building), 2nd Floor West
Frankfort, Kentucky 40621-2339

Telephone: (502) 564-7062
FAX: (502) 564-1476

Robert Kuenzli, VPS
320 Garrard Street
Covington, Kentucky 41011
Telephone: (859) 292-6666
FAX: (859) 292-6708

Employers who have contracts (or subcontracts) of $25,000 or more with the federal government are required to take affirmative action to hire and promote qualified veterans. These employers must list their job openings with the Kentucky Department for Employment Services so that qualified Vietnam Era and special disabled veterans can receive priority referrals for those jobs. These employers must file an annual report with Veterans Employment and Training Services (VETS) showing the number of Vietnam-era and special disabled veterans in their work forces. 

Federal Jobs for Disabled Veterans:

Federal government agencies can fill job openings faster when they hire disabled veterans.

To qualify, you must:

	Be a disabled veteran who has a service-connected disability of at least 30 percent, as documented by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
	Meet the minimum qualifications for the job.
	Be willing to work for at least 61 days in any temporary position that is available.

Employers can find information about providing accommodation, hiring, retaining, and promoting qualified employees with disabilities, and addressing issues pertaining to accessibility through the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). Employers who hire veterans with disabilities may be entitled to an allowance that may be used to defray the cost of providing accommodation. 

The Veterans’ Preference Advisor will help you to learn more about Veterans’ Preference. 

Kentucky Homeless Veterans Program

Kentucky is one of only a very few states that has enacted law designed to address the crucial needs of its homeless veterans.  The Homeless Veterans Program within the State Department of Veterans Affairs works to develop a network of services that provide veterans with assistance in finding employment, providing counseling, helping to find permanent shelter, homelessness, treatment of addictions, etc.  The program's goal also advocates to increase public awareness about the issue of homelessness among veterans and its root causes.  

There are many agencies and organizations in the Northern Kentucky area that provide services for the homeless.  Below are but a few of those providing these services in your area. 

  Goodwill Homeless Veterans Program

Angie Keller, representing Goodwill’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, is the Northern Kentucky One-Stop Program’s newest partner.

Ms. Keller, working out of the Covington One-Stop, will be available to assist any homeless/jobless veteran. The program assists with a variety of needs to include transportation, job placement, and in establishing a residence.  Recently, the number of clients taking advantage of this program has grown rapidly. Although the number is growing fast, the job placements are also growing quickly with the help of the local veteran employment representatives.  

Other Useful Veteran Links

These are links primarily to state and federal agencies or other recognized Veteran Service providers and organizations.