An Interview You Cannot Be Denied on a Flagged Vacancy
On any classified vacancy marked Veterans Preference Eligible, a veteran who meets the requirements must be offered an interview — and the same right reaches the spouse of a 100% disabled veteran, an unremarried surviving spouse, and the spouse of a prisoner of war.
Verified August 27, 2026
What this benefit is
On any classified vacancy marked Veterans Preference Eligible, a veteran who meets the requirements must be offered an interview — and the same right reaches the spouse of a 100% disabled veteran, an unremarried surviving spouse, and the spouse of a prisoner of war.
What it's worth: An offered interview on each Veterans Preference Eligible vacancy whose requirements you meet
- The core of the preference is an offered interview on vacancies designated Veterans Preference Eligible whose requirements you meet. It is an interview, not an appointment.
- The preference reaches promotional opportunities as well as initial appointment.
- It also gives higher retention standing in a reduction in force — which is worth more than the interview to anyone already employed, and is the part least often mentioned.
- Because the value is a materially better chance at a job rather than a payment, no dollar figure is given.
Who is entitled to it
- You served in the armed forces.
- You are applying in this state.
Not sure whether that describes you?
Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.
How to claim it
- 1Claiming for the first time means sending a complete, legible copy of the DD 214 showing enlistment and discharge dates, type of discharge and medals — either attached to the application profile in the state careers portal, or mailed to the Office of Personnel Services in Topeka.
- 2Look for the flag on the posting. The interview right attaches to vacancies whose announcement states the position is Veterans Preference Eligible; that covers external, internal and agency-only vacancies, and the announcement also sets out the qualifications and the selection process being used.
- 3Meet the requirements for the vacancy and the interview is offered. Preference also reaches promotional opportunities and gives a higher retention standing in a reduction in workforce — it is not confined to the point of hire.
- 4Check the eligibility routes carefully. They include campaign or expedition service with a badge or medal, a VA-certified service-connected disability, a Purple Heart, release from active service with a service-connected disability, and voluntary retirement at pay grade O-3 or lower.
- Form
- State job application, with the DD 214 attached to the application profile
- File with
- Office of Personnel Services, Department of Administration
- Documents you will need
- dd214
- No renewal
- Once granted it does not need renewing.
Sources
- authority · published policyDepartment of Administration, Office of Personnel Services — Veterans Preference, and the eligibility, interview and application questions under it (K.S.A. 73-201)
Why only one source type: The administering office states the mechanism, the eligibility classes, the flagged-vacancy condition and the document requirement across its own veterans preference pages. The statute host at the revisor’s office denies automated requests.
This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.