The University of Iowa honors the service of veterans and provides qualifying veterans with employment preference as permitted by Iowa law. Read on to learn how you can request veterans’ preference when applying for jobs at the university.

What is veterans’ preference?

Iowa Code Chapter 35C establishes that U.S. Military veterans may request preference in appointment or employment over similarly qualified candidates. The University of Iowa provides employment preference to applicants who request veterans’ preference and provide supporting materials that document their service.

How do I request veterans’ preference?

Provide a copy of your DD214 that shows your character of discharge or a copy of your NGB 22, if applicable, as official documentation of your military service. We will review the form and, if approved, apply your veterans’ preference to any UI job you apply for provided your approval date is prior to the end date of advertising for the job.

Before sending a copy of your DD214, we recommend you black out your Social Security Number, which is not required for review. You can send your DD214 by:

• Emailing it to TA-support@uiowa.edu. In your email, provide the name, email address, and phone number you used when setting up your profile in the university’s job-application system (see below for instructions on creating your UI jobs profile).
• Faxing it to 319-335-0202. On your fax, print the name, email address, and phone number you used in your UI jobs profile.
• Mailing or delivering it to the following address (include your name, email address, and phone number as described above).
• Please indicate if you are applying to Faculty, Staff, Merit, or "other" positions.

Talent Acquisition
University Human Resources
The University of Iowa
102 University Services Bldg., Ste. 21
Iowa City, IA 52242-1911

Who can I contact with questions?

Contact the University Human Resources Talent Acquisition team at TA-support@uiowa.edu or 319-335-2656.

How do I create a profile in the University of Iowa’s job-application system?

If you’re a regular University of Iowa staff (Merit or Professional and Scientific), you already have a profile in the system:

1. Log in to Employee Self-Service using your HawkID and password.
2. Find the “Apply for Job Opportunities” link under “Performance/Career” on the “Personal” tab.
3. Click “Go to Profile” in the right column (on desktop computers).
4. Confirm your name, email address, and phone number. Use this information when submitting your DD214 form as described above.

If you’re not employed at the university, or if you’re a temporary staff member applying for a regular staff position, follow these instructions to create a profile:

1. Go to jobs.uiowa.edu.
2. Browse jobs and click any job that interests you. (If you don’t see a job that interests you, you can click “Go to Profile” to create an account for future searches and to provide your name, email address, and phone number as required for DD214 verification described above.)
3. Click “Apply for Job.” You’ll be prompted to provide your email address, name, and the login name and password you’ll use to access your account.
4. Follow the instructions to complete your profile by importing information from career websites, uploading a resumé/CV file, or manually filling out the form.
5. Submit your job application and follow the process described above to request veterans’ preference.

If you’re looking for faculty, postdoc, research intern, or temporary staff positions, you’ll apply through the Jobs at Iowa system (as of September 2018, these positions have not yet transitioned to the new system used to manage regular staff jobs). If you already have a Jobs at Iowa profile, reference the information associated with that account when requesting veterans’ preference.

If you plan to apply for faculty, postdoc, research intern, or temporary staff positions and don’t have a Jobs at Iowa profile, follow these instructions:

1. Go to jobs.uiowa.edu.
2. Browse jobs and click the faculty, postdoc, or temporary category.
3. Click the “Register” link and complete the form to create your Jobs at Iowa account.
4. Reference the name, email address, and phone number associated with this account when requesting veterans’ preference.

Who is considered a veteran?

Veterans, as defined by Iowa Code Chapter 35, include any citizen and resident of the United States who served in the U.S. armed forces during these qualifying service periods and received an honorable discharge: 

• World War II from Dec. 7, 1941, through Dec. 31, 1946
• Korean conflict from June 25, 1950, through Jan. 31, 1955
• Vietnam conflict from Feb. 28, 1961, through May 4, 1975.
• Lebanon or Grenada service from Aug. 24, 1982, through July 31, 1984
• Panama service from Dec. 20, 1989, through Jan. 31, 1990
• Persian Gulf conflict from Aug. 2, 1990, through the date the president or the Congress of the United States declares a cessation of hostilities. If the United States Congress enacts a date different from Aug. 2, 1990, as the beginning of the Persian Gulf conflict for purposes of determining whether a veteran is entitled to receive military benefits as a veteran of the Persian Gulf conflict, that date shall be substituted for Aug. 2, 1990.

Veterans also include:

• Former members of the reserve forces of the United States who served at least twenty years in the reserve forces after Jan. 28, 1973, and who were discharged under honorable conditions. However, a member of the reserve forces of the United States who completed a minimum aggregate of 90 days of active federal service, other than training, and was discharged under honorable conditions or was retired under Title X of the United States Code shall be included as a veteran.
• Former members of the Iowa National Guard who served at least twenty years in the Iowa National Guard after January 28, 1973, and who were discharged under honorable conditions. However, a member of the Iowa National Guard who was activated for federal duty, other than training, for a minimum aggregate of 90 days, and was discharged under honorable conditions or was retired under Title X of the United States Code shall be included as a veteran.
• Former members of the active, oceangoing merchant marines who served during World War II at any time between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, both dates inclusive, who were discharged under honorable conditions.
• Former members of the women's air force service pilots and other persons who have been conferred veteran status based on their civilian duties during World War II in accordance with federal Pub. L. No. 95-202, 38 U.S.C. § 106. 
• Former members of the armed forces of the United States if any portion of their term of enlistment would have occurred during the Korean conflict time period described above, but who instead opted to serve five years in the reserve forces of the United States, as allowed by federal law, and were discharged under honorable conditions.
• Members of the reserve forces of the United States who have served at least twenty years in the reserve forces and who continue to serve in the reserve forces.
• Members of the Iowa National Guard who have served at least twenty years in the Iowa National Guard and who continue to serve in the Iowa National Guard.
• A resident of  Iowa who served on federal active duty, other than training, in the armed forces of the United States and was discharged under honorable conditions.