Department of Veterans Affairs Jobs Alabama: Complete Hiring Guide
VA jobs in Alabama include clinical roles (physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, nursing assistants, health technicians), administrative positions (Veterans Claims Analysts, Program Specialists), and roles at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System and the Veterans Benefits Administration. Applicants must meet qualification standards; veterans may receive hiring preference. The application process is through USAJOBS.gov.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Main VA Facility | Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) |
| Key Locations | Montgomery, Birmingham, Tuskegee |
| State Veterans Agency | Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) |
| Application Platform | USAJOBS.gov |
| Key Hiring Authority | Veterans’ Preference (5 or 10 points) |
| State Law (2026) | HB 307 permits private employer voluntary veteran hiring preference |
| Updated For | 2026 |
VA Healthcare Systems in Alabama
The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) is the primary VA healthcare system in Alabama, serving veterans across the state. It includes:
Montgomery Campus – The main medical center and administrative hub
Birmingham VA Medical Center – A major facility providing comprehensive care
Tuskegee Campus – Supporting veteran healthcare needs in eastern Alabama
Additional community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) are located throughout the state. The VA also maintains a Regional Office and a Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) presence for benefits processing.
Types of VA Jobs in Alabama
Clinical Positions
VA clinical roles require professional licenses and specific qualifications.
Physician (Neurologist) – Montgomery, AL
Provides neurological care including treatment for peripheral nerve disease, seizures, and speech impairment
Requires Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree, unrestricted state license, and residency training
Salary: Competitive, with annual performance bonus
Benefits: 50-55 days paid time off, federal pension, 401K with up to 5% VA contribution, free liability protection
Recruitment incentive (sign-on bonus): Authorized
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) available for student loan repayment
Nurse Practitioner – Float – Birmingham, AL
Requires active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license
Board certification required: FNP, ANP, AGPCNP, WHNP, or GNP from ANCC or AANPCB
Entry grade (Nurse II) requires no experience beyond education requirements
Nurse III requires one year of specialized APN experience equivalent to Nurse II
Positions are in the Excepted Service and do not confer competitive status
Nursing Assistant – Alabama
Entry level (GS-3): No experience beyond basic requirements
GS-4: One year specialized experience OR 2 years above high school with health-related courses
GS-5 (Full Performance Level): One year experience equivalent to GS-4 OR bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours in health care
Full performance level GS-5
Physical requirements: long periods of walking, standing, stooping, bending, patient transfers
Veterans May Qualify for Extra Benefits
Check available financial assistance, healthcare programs and other opportunities that may apply to you.
Check EligibilityLicensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN)
GS-6 full performance level
Preferred experience with phlebotomy
Requires active, unrestricted license
Health Technician (Telehealth) – Birmingham, AL
Part-time, intermittent position
Starting pay: $24.42/hour
Provides telehealth operations support, training, and management
Requires one year experience in health care field OR four years of education above high school OR combination
GS-07 full performance level
Administrative and Support Positions
Veterans Claims Analyst – Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
$47,839.20/year
Mandatory requirement: Must be an honorably discharged veteran who served at least 60 days on active duty
Bachelor’s degree OR four years equivalent work experience
Office management experience required
Proficient in MS Windows 10 and Office 365 Suite
Must pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NAC-I) and obtain a PIV card
Requires DD-214 for every period of active service showing character and duration of service
Program Specialist – VBA (Alabama)
Requires one year specialized experience equivalent to GS-9
Competencies evaluated: Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Self-Management
Telework may be authorized
Veterans Service Representative (Rating) – VBA Montgomery
GS-12 level position
No educational substitution at GS-12 level
Duties include performing diagnostic tests, assessing patient conditions, maintaining reports/charts
Work is mostly sedentary with some walking, standing, bending
How to Apply for VA Jobs in Alabama
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS Account
All federal job applications must go through USAJOBS.gov. Create an account, build your profile, and upload your resume.
Step 2: Search for Jobs in Alabama
Use the USAJOBS search filters for location “Alabama” and agency “Department of Veterans Affairs.” The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System frequently posts openings .
Step 3: Prepare Required Documents
Required documents vary by position, but typically include:
Resume: Include detailed duties, dates, and hours per week
DD-214: For veterans claiming preference
SF-50: For current or former federal employees (shows time-in-grade)
Transcripts: For education requirements
Professional Licenses: For clinical positions
VA Disability Letter: For 10-point veterans’ preference
Note: For clinical positions, VA recommends using the standard Clinical Resume Document available on the VA Careers website .
Step 4: Complete the Online Questionnaire
The application includes an online questionnaire assessing your qualifications against position requirements .
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Follow instructions on the USAJOBS announcement. Ensure all documents are submitted before the closing date.
Veterans’ Preference in Alabama
Federal Veterans’ Preference
Veterans’ preference applies to competitive service positions. For VA positions (which are often under the Excepted Service, Title 38), preference eligible candidates receive preference when qualifications are approximately equal .
5 Points (TP): For veterans who served during a war or received a campaign badge
10 Points (CP/CPS/XP): For disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and others
Documentation required:
DD-214(s) showing dates and character of service
SF-15 “Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference” with supporting proof
Alabama State Law: Veterans’ Preference (HB 307)
On April 16, 2026, Governor Kay Ivey signed HB 307, titled “Expanding Employment Opportunities for Military Families in Alabama” .
Key provisions effective January 1, 2027:
Private employers may voluntarily adopt written hiring and promotion preference policies for veterans, spouses of veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members
Policies must be in writing and uniformly applied
Veterans must provide DD-214 as proof
Spouses must provide DD-214 and proof of marriage
Employers must notify the Alabama Department of Workforce, which will maintain a public registry
Preference policies are not a violation of state or local law
Other 2026 Alabama Veteran Employment Laws
Governor Ivey signed a package of legislation enhancing benefits for military members, veterans, and their families :
HB 182: Requires acceptance of military training for EMS licensure
SB 149: Authorizes temporary teaching certificates for eligible veterans
HB 77: Allows 100% disabled veterans to receive tentative property exemption certificates during mortgage application
HB 155: Removes annual verification requirement for homestead exemptions for permanent and totally disabled veterans
SB 158: Requires high schools to offer ASVAB testing
Important Requirements
Citizenship
U.S. Citizenship is generally required; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited .
English Language Proficiency
All VA employees in direct patient care positions must be proficient in written and spoken English .
Background Investigation
Most positions require a background/security investigation. The Fair Chance to Compete Act prohibits requesting criminal history prior to a tentative job offer .
Physical Requirements
Positions may require physical capability to perform duties including walking, standing, stooping, and patient transfers .
Influenza Vaccination
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel .
Time-in-Grade
Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level to be eligible for promotion. Document with SF-50 .
Common Questions
1. Where are VA jobs located in Alabama?
VA jobs are located at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (Montgomery, Birmingham, Tuskegee) and community-based outpatient clinics throughout the state. The Veterans Benefits Administration also has positions in Montgomery .
2. What is the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System?
CAVHCS is the primary VA healthcare system in Alabama, serving veterans across the state. It includes campuses in Montgomery, Birmingham, and Tuskegee .
3. How do I apply for a VA job in Alabama?
Apply through USAJOBS.gov. Search for “Department of Veterans Affairs” with location “Alabama.” Complete the application and submit required documents before the closing date.
4. What is the Veterans Claims Analyst position with ADVA?
This is a state-level position with the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, paying $47,839.20/year. Candidates must be honorably discharged veterans with at least 60 days active duty, hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, and have office management experience .
5. Do veterans get preference for VA jobs?
Yes. Veterans’ preference applies to VA positions. In the Excepted Service (Title 38), preference eligible candidates receive preference when qualifications are approximately equal . Documentation (DD-214, SF-15 for 10-point preference) is required .
6. What is HB 307 and how does it affect veterans?
HB 307 (effective January 1, 2027) allows private employers in Alabama to voluntarily adopt hiring and promotion preference policies for veterans, spouses of veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members. Employers must notify the Alabama Department of Workforce, which will maintain a public registry .
7. What education do I need for a Nursing Assistant position?
GS-3 has no education requirement beyond basic qualifications. GS-4 requires one year experience OR 2 years above high school with health-related courses. GS-5 requires one year experience OR a bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours in health care .
8. What are the benefits for VA physicians?
Benefits include 50-55 days paid time off per year, traditional federal pension, 401K with up to 5% VA contribution, free liability protection, and up to $1,000/year CME reimbursement .
9. What is the pay for a Nurse Practitioner in Alabama?
Pay varies by grade level (Nurse II or Nurse III). Nurse II is considered the entry grade for APNs, with no experience required . Nurse III requires one year of specialized experience .
10. What is the Fair Chance to Compete Act?
The Fair Chance to Compete Act prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from requesting an applicant’s criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer .
Key Takeaways
VA jobs in Alabama include clinical roles (physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, nursing assistants, health technicians) and administrative positions (Veterans Claims Analysts, Program Specialists) across Montgomery, Birmingham, and Tuskegee .
The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) is the primary VA healthcare system in the state .
Veterans’ preference applies to VA positions; documentation (DD-214, SF-15) is required .
HB 307 (effective January 1, 2027) permits private employers to voluntarily adopt veteran hiring preferences and creates a public registry of participating employers .
2026 Alabama legislation also enhanced benefits for disabled veterans (HB 77, HB 155), military training credit (HB 182), and temporary teaching certificates for veterans (SB 149) .
All applications must be submitted through USAJOBS.gov .
Federal employees must submit SF-50 to document time-in-grade for promotion eligibility .
Official Resources
USAJOBS.gov: The federal government’s official job site. USAJOBS.gov
VA Careers: Information on health care careers at VA. vacareers.va.gov
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs: State-level resources and claims assistance. va.alabama.gov
Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System: www.va.gov/central-alabama-health-care/
Alabama Department of Workforce: For HB 307 registry information. dol.alabama.gov
Veterans’ Preference Information: OPM Veterans Services
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