Veteran Administration Jobs: How to Find Careers with the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs)

When most people think of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA, formerly called Veteran Administration) jobs, something in the healthcare field likely comes to mind.  

While healthcare is a major component, the VA offers more diverse opportunities for veterans to support other veterans, including benefits administration, funeral services, and national security. Whichever VA career path suits you, you’ll find stability, mission-driven work, and strong federal benefits. 

In this post, we’ll cover the VA’s essential missions, the types of VA jobs available (including remote VA jobs!), and the best resources for taking the next steps in a career with the VA. 

Main Takeaways

• Veterans can find veteran administration jobs—more accurately called Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) jobs—in more areas than health; careers are available in benefits administration, support services, and more. 

• Veterans Affairs remote jobs, as well as in-person jobs, are available throughout the country. 

• VA jobs offer great employment benefits, including generous time off, flexibility, insurance options, retirement, and competitive compensation. 

The VA’s Mission

In addition to VA’s primary mission of fulfilling President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors, it also carries out four other specific missions. 

Veterans Healthcare

According to its website, the VA’s Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care network in the United States, with 1,255 health care facilities serving 9 million enrolled veterans each year. 

Veterans Benefits

The VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration works with service members transitioning out of military service. This veteran administration handles everything from disability claims to the GI Bill, home loans, and other services. 

National Cemeteries

The National Cemetery Administration provides dignified burial services for veterans and eligible family members.  

The Fourth Mission

VA’s “Fourth Mission” is to improve the nation’s emergency preparedness for response to war, terrorism, national emergencies, and natural disasters, as well as to support national, state, and local emergency management efforts. 

Types of VA Jobs

If you want to remain connected with other veterans in a meaningful way, the Department of Veterans Affairs has options. With four missions of service—healthcare, cemetery services, benefits services, and emergency preparedness—there’s bound to be a VA job that fits your skillset and mission. 

• Administration: Positions for administrators in finance, accounting, human resources, business, and contracting. 

• Allied health: Physical and occupational therapists, dietician, health and medical technicians, audiologists, optometrists, and more. 

• Benefits and claims processors: Become an advocate for veterans and have a direct, positive impact on their lives and their families in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). 

• Cemetery caretakers and admins: The National Cemetery Administration offers a wide variety of job opportunities at over 150 locations across the nation. Maintain the hallowed grounds that serve as Veterans’ final resting place. 

• Mental health: Positions for social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and more.  

• Nursing: Nurses are the heart of VA care, and there is no shortage of open positions across the country. Not sure where you want to land, geographically? Check out the Travel Nurse Corps program, which consists of a minimum of three short-term jobs per year anywhere in the country. 

• Physicians and PAs: From primary care to emergency care to oncology, there are openings across the country for physicians and physician assistants to care for veterans.  

• Support service: First responders (paramedics, firefighters, police officers), facility maintenance, safety, and patient services. 

• Technology: Biomedical and information technology positions. 

VA Remote Job Opportunities

Do you need more flexibility? Do you live outside a reasonable commuting distance from a VA facility? There are plenty of VA remote jobs!  

The VA breaks down “remote” into two categories:  

• Virtual is what you typically think of when you consider a remote position—you can work from anywhere that has a good internet connection 

• Telework is considered more of a hybrid schedule. You can work from an approved alternative worksite, but there’s also an expectation for on-site participation. 

Remote VA jobs are as varied as on-site positions, with options including telehealth, software development, human resources, project management, and claims processing, just to name a few.  

VA Job Resources

VA for Vets: A Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program's (VMSTEP) initiative, VAforVets connects veterans and transitioning service members with meaningful careers and provides resources for finding Veterans Affairs remote and on-site jobs. 

USAJobs: As the official jobsite for the federal government, USAJobs is going to be a priceless resource for your VA job search, boasting 1,200+ jobs posted per day; 28,438 jobs open per day; 6 million+ active profiles; and 939,970,974 visits per year.  

You can create an account, upload your resume, and filter it to suit your experience, education, location, and more. 

SkillBridge: If you’re still serving, the VA offers a SkillBridge program that will connect you with a civilian job before you leave the military, including job opportunities within the VA. You’ll be able to gain valuable work experience before fully entering the civilian workforce. 

VA Employment Benefits

The VA strives to provide work-life balance for its employees through the following benefits: 

• Time Off: PTO, sick leave, federal holidays, paternal leave, military leave  

• Flexibility: Work-from-home options, flexible scheduling, facility/location options 

• Insurance: Life, health, long-term care, flexible savings account  

• Retirement: Federal Employees Retirement System, Thrift Savings Plan, long-term disability benefits, add VA benefits to your full military retirement pay or pension 

• Competitive Compensation: Strong starting salary, steady growth, incentives. overtime  

Conclusion

If maintaining a link to the military is an important part of finding your next career path, working for the VA is a good place to start. In addition to supporting the veteran community, you’ll also find stability and federal benefits. The VA offers a variety of remote and on-site positions, with something for all skill and education levels.

FAQs | Frequently Asked questions

How do I get a job with the Veterans Administration?

To get a job with the veterans administration—officially called the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—visit USAJobs.gov, the official job site for the federal government. Search for the job you’re looking for using keywords, submit an application (don’t forget to check for Veterans Preference Points!), and prepare for an interview. The VA offers additional tips on the application process.  

Does the VA have remote jobs?

Yes! The VA offers remote jobs in two categories: virtual and telework. Telework is more of a hybrid schedule, allowing for off-site work but also requiring employees to participate in functions at the facility. 

What VA jobs are in high demand?

Some of the most in-demand VA jobs include physicians, nurses, medical techs, and assistants.  

What are common VA career paths?

People come to the VA from a variety of backgrounds, so there are multiple career paths. The best place to start is USAJobs to see if there is a position that fits your qualifications and needs.