As a NASA recruiter, you must be aware of Federal hiring principles. In preparation for your participation in the hiring process, you should be aware of merit systems principles since they apply directly to the recruitment of individuals: The first three principles apply directly to recruitment:

Recruitment shall be from qualified individuals from all segments of society, and employees are to be selected and advanced on the basis of merit after fair and open competition.
Employees and applicants are to be treated fairly and equitably, without regard to political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or handicapping condition.
Equal pay should be provided for equal work and excellent performance rewarded.
Prohibited personnel practices apply to all officials and employees who are authorized to take personnel actions. Please review these since you must be aware of them when you represent NASA at recruitment events.

In keeping with merit system principles and prohibited personnel practices, all applicant’s must be selected through a competitive process when they are hired for their first Federal position. You may be asked about how NASA applies Veterans Preference in hiring. If an applicant claims veterans preference, please instruct them to submit:

• A copy of their Military Discharge Form (DD Form 214),
• And a copy of the Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference (SF 15) if they claim a disability that is as a result of their military service.

The documentation that they submit will be used to verify veterans preference for the position. The Office of Personnel Management is responsible for administering entitlement to veteran’s preference in employment. If someone has specific questions about veterans preference, refer them to the OPM website located at http://www.opm.gov/veterans/index.asp.