The Henderson Kentucky Department for Employment Services’ (DES) office staff are committed to providing special services to assist veterans with their employment and training needs. These staff work with other DES offices, Department of Veterans Affairs and various organizations whose focus is also to provide veterans with priority services designed to improve their employability and career options.

Job Placement:

Employers in your local area list their job openings with the Department for Employment Services (DES) and provide us with a job description and a list of qualifications required for the position. When you register with DES, you will need to provide information relating to your work history, experience, skills and any special training and education that you may have.  This will allow us to conduct a more effective job search for you. You may visit the DES Office that is in your area to obtain personal assistance.  Soon you will be able to Self-Register on-line.  Until this service is added on-line you can Self-Register in any DES office. You may find it useful to print a copy of the DES Registration Form and complete it before going into the office.  By having all your information ready when you go into the office your Self-Registration process will go much faster.

In addition to our staff conducting job searches for you, our automated computer system will also match your qualifications with the employer's needs. When
a job matching your qualifications occurs, you will be contacted by our Local Veteran Representative or other agency staff. You may also be contacted by our automated phone notification system to arrange for a job referral that will hopefully result with you becoming employed.

Job Search Assistance:

In our resource centers there are personal computers and staff to assist you in your job search and other employment related activities, such as:

  Resume Preparation
  Resource Materials
  Job Search Workshops
  Interviewing Techniques
  Internet Access
  Labor Market Information
  Self Assessment

Programs and Services

The Henderson Department for Employment Services is responsible for the administration of a number of programs and services designed to assist job and service seekers in a variety of employment related areas.

Unemployment Compensation: 

You may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance Benefits when you complete military service and begin to seek employment or if you lose your civilian job.

Welfare-To-Work & Work Opportunity 
Tax Credit:

These federal programs encourage employers to hire certain types of workers, including veterans from families currently or recently receiving public assistance or food stamps. If you qualify, your employer can apply to the Kentucky Department for Employment Services for this federal income-tax credit. 

U.S. Department of Labor
Kentucky
Veteran's Employment &
Training Service Representatives

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) administers, coordinates and provides policy guidelines and technical assistance in the implementation of VETS Programs in Kentucky. VETS administers the Homeless Veterans grant, provides transitional assistance to veterans coming out of the military, conducts investigation of alleged violation of or disputes arising under the Uniformed Services Employment and ReEmployment Rights Act (USERRA) and is responsible for monitoring the Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) administered by the Kentucky Department for Employment Services.

Charles R. "Rick" Netherton, Director
Bonnie J. Kunkle, VPA

Veterans' Employment & Training Service
U.S. Department of Labor
Department for Employment Services
275 East Main Street
(CHR Building), 2nd Floor West
Frankfort, Kentucky 40621-2339

Telephone: (502) 564-7062
FAX: (502) 564-1476

Robert Kuenzli, VPS
320 Garrard Street
Covington, Kentucky 41011
Telephone: (859) 292-6666
FAX: (859) 292-6708

The Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA) provides benefits and guidance to returning service members who are seeking re-employment with their former employers.

A veteran who has recently returned from a tour of duty has special reemployment rights under federal law. Veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve called to active duty or training have the right to return to their civilian jobs – in both the private and public sectors – with all the benefits they would have accrued if not for their military service. If you qualify, your former employer could be required to reinstate you, complete with any seniority benefits that have accrued during your absence. You must apply for re-employment in a timely manner following your release from active duty. Application deadlines depend on the length of service. For less than 31 days, you generally need to report to work at the next normal shift following release, travel home and 8 hours rest. For 31 to 180 days you have 14 days following release to apply for re-employment. For more than 180 days, you have 90 days. These periods are all extended if you sustain or aggravate an illness or injury during your period of active duty. (more about USERRA)

Employers who have contracts (or subcontracts) of $10,000 or more with the federal government are required to take affirmative action to hire and promote qualified veterans. These employers must list their job openings with the Kentucky Department for Employment Services so that qualified Vietnam Era and special disabled veterans can receive priority referrals for those jobs. These employers must file an annual report with Veterans Employment and Training Services (VETS) showing the number of Vietnam-era and special disabled veterans in their work forces. 

Federal Jobs for Disabled Veterans:

Federal government agencies can fill job openings faster when they hire disabled veterans.

To qualify, you must:

  Be a disabled veteran who has a service-connected disability of at 
    least 30 percent, as documented by the Department of Defense or 
    the Department of Veterans  Affairs.

  Meet the minimum qualifications for the job.

  Be willing to work for at least 61 days in any temporary position that
    is available.

You can find Information about providing accommodation, hiring, retaining, and promoting qualified employees with disabilities, and addressing issues pertaining to accessibility is available through the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). Employers who hire veterans with disabilities may be entitled to an allowance that may be used to defray the cost of providing accommodation. 

The Veterans’ Preference Advisor will help you to learn more about Veterans’ Preference. 

 Other Useful Veteran Links

These are links primarily to state and federal agencies or other recognized Veteran Service providers and organizations.