Statutory Employment Preferences

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Under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 38-492), employment preferences are available to applicants who test for merit system positions, meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and fall within the following statutorily defined categories.

  1. Veteran Preference (5 points): A veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States separated under honorable conditions following more than six months of active duty.
  2. Disabled Veteran Preference (10 points): A veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States separated under honorable conditions who has a service-connected disability or is receiving compensation or disability retirement benefits under laws administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or the United States Public Health Service.
  3. Veteran's Spouse/Surviving Spouse Preference (5 points): A spouse or surviving spouse of any of the following:
    1. Any veteran who died of a service-connected disability.
    2. Any member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who, at the time of application, is listed by the Secretary of Defense of the United States in any of the following categories for not less than ninety days:
      1. Missing in action.
      2. Captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.
      3. Forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.
    3. A person who has a total, permanent disability resulting from a service-connected disability or any person who died while such disability was in existence.
  4. Disability Preference (5 points): A "qualified individual with a disability" as that term is defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, and Arizona Civil Rights Act, as amended.


Applicants must submit a completed Employment Preference Form with the supporting documentation of eligibility (described below and on the form) for each position for which the individual applies.

Veteran Preference
Employment Preference Form + DD Form 214

Disabled Veteran Preference
Employment Preference Form + Certification from VA Regional Office or Veterans Services Offices of the Arizona Department of Economic Security. VA Claim Number must be furnished by you.

Veteran's Spouse/ Surviving Spouse Preference
Employment Preference Form + Certification from VA Regional Office or Veterans Services Offices of the Arizona Department of Economic Security. VA Claim Number must be furnished by you.

Disability Preference
Employment Preference Form + Disability Preference Verification Form

**Please do not attach the completed forms and supporting materials to your application.**

Completed forms and supporting materials must be submitted to Human Resources at the time of application, or no later than seven (7) days following the application closing date. If you have any questions, please call 480-782-2350.

Applicable preferences will be considered in the assessment of candidates for positions in which applicants are evaluated and ranked, but scores are not given.