Last night I, along with 38 million people, watched President Obama’s State of the Union address. His remarks about what’s being done to help veterans struck me as one of the most important components of the speech. Obama’s call to CEOs to hire veterans extends to local governments as well. The following resources show how ICMA is assisting in this effort:

ICMA Resources

• One of ICMA’s policy priorities is to help veterans translate their military experience into employment—making the transition from military to civilian life.  ICMA has compiled a rich inventory of resources here. 
• Another ICMA priority is its Next Generation Initiative.  This initiative encourages individuals to consider the field of local government management; assists individuals in landing their first local governmental jobs; engages local government management professionals early in their careers; and establishes a leadership pipeline to help individuals new to local government succeed in their leadership roles.
• Veteran Job Seekers should utilize the Career Network on icma.org. The career network provides a plethora of tools to help veterans research and find jobs in local government. 
• ICMA is hosting a webinar series on how to reintegrate returning veterans into society. The topics include: homelessness, education, access to care and employment. 

Knowledge Network Resources

• One of the best resources on the Knowledge Network is the guidebook from ICMA, “Breaking into Local Government.”  This document explains how DJ Gehrt, who has eight years of military service, became city manager of Platte City, Missouri.
• The Knowledge Network group “Military Veterans” allows veterans in the profession, and those seeking to enter the profession, an area to exchange information and ask questions.
• The PM magazine article, “The Role of Local Government in Veterans and Military Family Issues,” looks to answer one question: How can local governments determine their role in supporting veterans and their families?
• For local governmental officials to better understand the challenges facing veterans, check out this document about the readjustment needs of veterans from Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
• This In the Know blog post, “Helping Veterans 365 Days a Year,” provides a good compilation of how communities can always be helping their veterans.
• Read this local governmental leaders blog post on why you should open your local government jobs to veterans by posting the jobs on the NRD.gov Veterans Job Bank.
  • Along with servicing aging veterans from previous wars, at the end of the day local governments have the most at stake in ensuring the success of reintegrating today's veterans and caring for their families. To understand this issue better check out this ICMA FACT SHEET.
  • This article discusses how Arlington County, VA is participating in a regional partnership to help veterans acquire high-demand jobs.
  • This guide from the EPA discusses how to apply Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) to Civilian Drinking Water and Wastewater operations. While this is specific to water management positions, the principles presented in this report can apply to local governments.
  • Read how Tyler, Texas, is using the strengths of its veterans to assist in community and economic development in this overview of Tyler’s “Veteran and Military Growth Initiative.”

What efforts are you making to assist veterans in your community?  Which of these resources is the most helpful to your efforts? Please post your comments below.

Douglas Shontz 

Knowledge Network Intern