VA Jobs Massachusetts – Boston & Bedford Careers

Department of Veterans Affairs Jobs Massachusetts: Complete Hiring Guide

VA careers in Massachusetts encompass clinical roles (physicians, nurses, psychologists) and administrative positions. Veterans receive priority hiring under federal law, with additional Massachusetts civil service preferences. The VA offers competitive pay and benefits, with roles available across facilities in Boston, Bedford, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, and Greenfield. Applicants must meet qualification standards, and veterans should leverage special hiring authorities like VEOA and VRA.

Quick Facts

VA Healthcare Systems in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to two major VA healthcare systems:

• VA Boston Healthcare System operates multiple campuses, including the main medical center in Jamaica Plain, the West Roxbury campus, and Brockton. It offers a full range of services including inpatient care, mental health, surgery, and primary care.

• VA Bedford Healthcare System is a major facility in Bedford, MA, providing mental health, long-term care, and specialty services. It is notable for its focus on psychiatric care and serves as a hub for mental health professionals.

Additional community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in Massachusetts include locations in Greenfield, Quincy, and other communities.

Types of VA Jobs in Massachusetts

Clinical Positions

VA clinical roles require specific professional licenses, certifications, and degrees. Current openings in Massachusetts include:

Social Worker (General Mental Health Case Manager) – Jamaica Plain: This GS-9/GS-11 position requires a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). At the GS-11 (full performance) level, candidates need one year of post-MSW experience and an independent state license or certification . Social workers at the GS-9 entry level are closely supervised and typically assigned to program areas that do not require specialized knowledge. Core duties include psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, and community referrals .

Supervisory Peer Specialist – Bedford, MA: This GS-11 position requires the applicant to be a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition. Must possess Peer Specialist Certification from a not-for-profit entity or state, and have at least one year of recovery. The role involves providing oversight to peer support services and mentoring other peer support providers . This position is restricted to veterans and requires copies of DD-214 and certification .

Registered Nurse (Inpatient Mental Health) – MA: VA nurses are ranked on a three-level clinical ladder:

• Nurse I, Level 3: ADN or Diploma with 2 years of experience; OR BSN with 1 year of experience; OR MSN with no experience .

• Nurse II: BSN with 2 years of experience; OR MSN with 1 year of specialized experience; OR Doctoral degree .

• Nurse III: MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience; OR Doctoral degree with 1 year of experience .

Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (Mental Health) – Bedford, MA: LPNs are ranked GS-3 through GS-6 based on experience. Basic requirements include an active, unrestricted license. GS-5 LPNs must demonstrate knowledge to provide practical nursing care, administer medications, and recognize emergency situations. GS-6 LPNs function more independently, requiring only general review by a registered nurse .

Administrative and Support Positions

Program Specialist – Boston, MA (Veterans Benefits Administration): Manages the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program. Requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9, such as applying analytical methods to program issues or providing guidance on regulations . Education substitution: a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree can qualify .

Advanced Medical Support Assistant – Bedford, MA: Provides administrative support for clinic management. Requires one year of experience equivalent to GS-5. Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities include advanced knowledge of medical terminology, technical healthcare processes (scheduling, referrals), and the ability to communicate effectively with clinicians and patients. High school diploma or equivalent is required, and a transcript is needed upon selection .

Laborer – West Roxbury, MA: Entry-level position with no education requirement. The screen-out element is the “Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision.” Must be suitable for federal employment and pass a background investigation .

Federal Hiring Programs for Veterans

The VA offers special hiring authorities for veterans:

Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)

This authority allows veterans to be hired non-competitively. You may be eligible if you received a campaign badge or Armed Forces Service Medal, or were separated from active duty within the last three years. VRA appointments are excepted service positions and can lead to competitive status after two years.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)

VEOA allows veterans to compete for jobs open to status candidates. To be eligible, you must be a veteran with 3 or more years of continuous active duty service, or a preference eligible veteran. VEOA does not guarantee hiring but gives you access to merit promotion vacancies.

30% or More Disabled Veterans

If you have a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more, you may be non-competitively appointed to any federal job. This is one of the strongest hiring flexibilities available to disabled veterans.

Federal Veterans’ Preference (5 or 10 Points)

Veterans’ preference applies to competitive service positions:

• 5 points: For veterans who served during a war or received a campaign badge

• 10 points: For disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and veterans whose service-connected disability was caused by an instrumentality of war

However, positions at the VA are generally under the Excepted Service (Title 38 for healthcare positions), meaning veterans’ preference rules may differ, and many positions are not part of the competitive service covered by standard 5/10-point preference .

Massachusetts State Veterans’ Preference

Massachusetts offers veterans’ preference in state civil service positions under General Law Chapter 31.

Civil Service Eligible Lists

Veterans are given preference in the following order:

1. Disabled Veterans

2. Veterans

3. Spouses or single parents of veterans killed in action or who died from a service-connected disability 

This placement is superseded only by residency preference for Firefighter and Police Officer lists .

Promotional and Open Competitive Exams

• Promotional Exams: Veterans receive 2 points added to their overall passing score

• Open Competitive Exams: Veterans who pass the exam are placed higher on the resulting eligible list under the system of absolute veteran’s preference 

Labor Service Positions

For labor service positions, no exam is required. Veterans and disabled veterans are placed at the top of the eligibility list for state agencies and the City of Boston. Spouses of deceased veterans are placed below veterans but above other applicants .

Proposed Legislation

Several bills are currently pending in the Massachusetts legislature to expand veteran preference:

• S 1754 (193rd Legislature): An Act protecting veterans’ preference in hiring practices, sponsored by Senator Velis. As of November 2024, the bill was pending further action .

• H 3284 (194th Legislature): An Act relative to public hiring preference for veterans, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Commonwealth Corps workers. As of December 2025, the bill was reported favorably and referred to House Ways and Means .

How to Apply for VA Jobs in Massachusetts

Step 1: Create a USAJOBS Account

All federal job applications must go through USAJOBS.gov. You need to create an account, build your profile, and upload your resume. The VA also recommends using the VA Resume Builder (a one-page standard clinical resume) for clinical positions .

Step 2: Search for Jobs in Massachusetts

Use the USAJOBS search filters for location “Massachusetts” and agency “Department of Veterans Affairs.” Keywords like “Veterans Health Administration” or “Veterans Benefits Administration” can help narrow your search.

Step 3: Prepare Required Documents

Required documents vary by position, but typically include:

• Resume (detailed duties, dates, hours per week) 

• DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)

• SF-50 (for current or former federal employees showing time-in-grade)

• Transcripts (for education requirements)

• Professional Licenses (e.g., RN license, LPN license)

• Peer Specialist Certification (for Peer Specialist roles) 

• VA Disability Letter (for 30% or more disabled veterans)

Step 4: Complete the Online Questionnaire

For most positions, the application package includes an online questionnaire assessing your qualifications and experience .

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Follow the instructions on the USAJOBS announcement. Ensure you apply before the closing date and submit all required documents.

Important Requirements

English Language Proficiency

All VA employees in direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) .

Time-in-Grade Requirement

Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level to be eligible for promotion. This applies to GS positions and must be documented with an SF-50 .

Background Investigation

Most positions require suitability for federal employment, which involves a background investigation. The Fair Chance to Compete Act prohibits requesting criminal history prior to a tentative job offer .

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the position. Some positions may require a pre-placement physical examination . The influenza vaccination program is a requirement for health care personnel .

Common Questions

1. Does the VA offer jobs specifically for veterans in Massachusetts?

Yes. The VA prioritizes hiring veterans. Peer Specialist roles are legally restricted to veterans who have recovered from a mental health condition . Additionally, special hiring authorities (VEOA, VRA) are designed for veterans, and Massachusetts state civil service offers preference for veterans and disabled veterans .

2. What is the VA Bedford Healthcare System?

VA Bedford is a major VA campus in Bedford, MA, offering mental health, long-term care, and specialty services. It is known for its psychiatric focus and employs clinical, nursing, and administrative staff .

3. Where are VA jobs located in Massachusetts?

VA jobs are located at the VA Boston Healthcare System (Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Brockton), VA Bedford Healthcare System (Bedford), and CBOCs in Greenfield, Quincy, and other communities.

4. What is the VA Boston Medical Center?

The VA Boston Medical Center is part of the VA Boston Healthcare System and is located in Jamaica Plain, MA at 150 South Huntington Ave. It provides a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and specialty care services.

5. Do I get veterans’ preference for VA jobs in Massachusetts?

Yes, veterans receive priority in federal hiring, though VA positions are typically under the Excepted Service (Title 38), where some preference rules differ . Additionally, Massachusetts state civil service positions provide absolute preference to veterans on eligible lists .

6. What is the VRA hiring authority for veterans?

The VRA allows eligible veterans to be hired non-competitively. Eligibility includes receiving a campaign badge or separating from active duty within the last three years. VRA positions are excepted service and can lead to competitive status.

7. What is the pay for VA jobs in Massachusetts?

Pay varies by grade, step, and location. A Supervisory Peer Specialist in Bedford is advertised at $84K/yr . GS-9 and GS-11 roles have standardized federal pay scales with locality adjustments for the Boston area.

8. What education do I need for a VA social worker job?

A master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited school is required . For GS-11 (full performance), one year of post-MSW experience and an independent state license are required .

9. How do I become a Peer Specialist at VA Bedford?

You must be a veteran who is recovered or recovering from a mental health condition, have at least one year of recovery, and hold Peer Specialist Certification from a not-for-profit entity or state . The role is restricted to veterans .

10. What are the latest changes to Massachusetts veteran preference laws?

As of 2026, two significant bills are pending. S 1754 would protect veterans’ preference in hiring . H 3284 would expand preference to include veterans, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Commonwealth Corps workers .

Key Takeaways

• VA jobs in Massachusetts include clinical roles (nurses, social workers, psychologists) and administrative positions across Boston, Bedford, West Roxbury, and Greenfield.

• Special hiring authorities (VEOA, VRA, 30% Disabled Veteran) give veterans priority for federal VA positions.

• Massachusetts state law provides absolute veterans’ preference in civil service, with disabled veterans ranking first .

• Peer Specialist roles are legally restricted to veterans who have recovered from a mental health condition .

• Pending legislation (S 1754, H 3284) would further expand and protect veterans’ preference in Massachusetts .

• Application is through USAJOBS.gov, with required documents including DD-214, SF-50, transcripts, and professional licenses .

• Time-in-grade and qualification standards apply to federal promotions and appointments .

• English language proficiency and background investigations are mandatory for most positions.

Official Resources

• USAJOBS.gov: The federal government’s official job site. USAJOBS.gov

• VHA Jobs – VA Careers: Information on health care careers at VA. VHA Jobs

• Veterans Preference and Hiring: Federal veterans preference information. VA.gov Veterans Preference

• Massachusetts Veterans’ Services: State-level veteran resources and benefits. Mass.gov Veterans Services

• VA Bedford Healthcare System: www.va.gov/bedford-health-care/

• VA Boston Healthcare System: www.va.gov/boston-health-care/

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