55A-7.010. Employment Preference When Using a Numerically Based Selection Process

(1) The names of persons, unless exempt under Section 295.07(5), F.S., who receive a qualifying examination score for a position, are also eligible to receive an Augmented Rating as defined in subsection 55A-7.003(3), F.A.C. Veterans’ Preference points shall be added to the final examination score as defined in subsection 55A-7.003(9), F.A.C., in order to increase an applicant’s final score, and the names of preference-eligible persons shall be added to an appropriate register in order of the augmented score which is sum of examination score and applicable augmentation points unless subject to paragraph (2)(c), of this rule.

(2) 20 augmentation points shall be added for:

(a) Those disabled veterans:

1. Who have served on active duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, have received an honorable discharge, and have established the present existence of a service-connected disability that is compensable under public laws administered by the DVA, or

2. Who are receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension by reason of public laws administered by the DVA or Department of Defense.

(b) The spouse of a person who has a total disability, permanent in nature, resulting from a service-connected disability and who, because of this disability, cannot qualify for employment, and the spouse of a person missing in action, captured in line of duty by a hostile force, or forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.

(c) Except for classes of positions with Federal Government designations of professional or technician, all persons eligible for a 20-point preference whose service-connected disabilities have been rated at 30% or more, and meeting minimum qualifications established for the position, shall be placed at the top of the appropriate register or employment list in accordance with his or her respective augmentation points, and shall be granted an interview in all cases.

(3) 15 augmentation points shall be added for:

(a) A wartime veteran as defined in Section 1.01(14), F.S., who has served at least 1 day in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, including any armed forces expeditionary medal or the global war on terrorism medal, or during one of the specified periods of wartime service.

(b) The unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability.

(c) The mother, father, legal guardian, or unremarried widow or widower of a member of the United States Armed Forces who died in the line of duty under combat-related conditions, as verified by the United States Department of Defense.

(4) 10 augmentation points shall be added for:

(a) A veteran as defined in Section 1.01(14), F.S., not including wartime veterans who are eligible for 15 points of augmentation under subsection (3), in this rule.

(b) A current member of any reserve component of the United States Armed Forces or the Florida National Guard.

(5) Augmentation points are to be added to a qualified candidate’s examination score of 100 as follows: 20 points for paragraph (2)(a) or (b), in this rule; 15 points for paragraph (3)(a), (b), or (c), in this rule; 10 points for paragraph (4)(a) or (b), in this rule. However, where the highest possible examination score is more or less than 100, an alternative procedure makes it permissible to apply percentages to calculate additions to points instead, as follows: 20 percent for persons described in paragraph (2)(a) or (b), of this rule; 15 percent for persons described in paragraph (3)(a), (b), or (c), of this rule; and 10 percent for persons described in paragraph (4)(a) or (b), of this rule. If the total possible score is exactly 100, augment directly with 10, 15, or 20 points; if the total possible points are less than or more than 100 points, use percentages to calculate points for addition to examination score.

(6) Appointments to positions subject to collective bargaining agreements are to be made from the appropriate register or employment list in accordance with these augmented ratings.

(7) If a position is advertised as a “Veteran-only position,” points shall be applied based upon “Augmented Rating” as defined in subsection 55A-7.003(3), F.A.C., and interviews will be based on the applicant’s total numerical score regardless of augmentation category.

Rulemaking Authority 295.07(2) FS. Law Implemented 295.08 FS. History–New 3-30-88, Formerly 22VP-1.010, Amended 2-12-90, 7-12-93, 12-27-98, 6-11-08, 6-27-16, 7-21-19, 8-17-22.