VA careers offer parents work-life balance while serving Veterans

Most working parents would agree that a flexible employer makes balancing their work-life much easier.

With National Parents’ Day coming up on July 28, we remind job seekers that VA recognizes the need for work-life balance. That’s why we offer a robust combination of benefits and perks that help you care for family and advance in your career.

From competitive salaries and comprehensive insurance benefits to remote-work possibilities to child care subsidies, we encourage parents to take a closer look at VA for a rewarding, fulfilling career.

Enjoy child care benefits and more

According to a 2018 study of 1,400 working parents by the human resources software firm CIPHR, 75% of respondents said that balancing work and family life left them feeling stressed and anxious.

At VA, we address these concerns by offering employees on-site child care centers at select facilities, a child care subsidy program and a robust health care package that can continue into retirement at no additional cost.

“I have two small children and use the child care subsides,” said Dr. Puja Van Epps, director of the Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic at VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System. “It is nice to have these key benefits.”

Grow your career with education support

When it comes to providing the best care for the nation’s Veterans and advancing your career, continuous learning is key. Yet it’s often hard to get more education when you’re getting kids off to school before work, helping them with homework at night and managing the household in between.

Enter the VA National Education for Employees Program (VANEEP) scholarship, which lets our eligible employees get a VA salary while going to school full time for a health care degree or credential.

Justin Fowler, an intermediate care technician at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, said VANEEP put him on the fast track to a career as an Advanced Practice Nurse by allowing him to focus on his studies and take care of his family of four.

“If I did not have this scholarship,” he said, “I would have to work overnight to maintain full-time status.”

Other VA education support programs can put more money in your family’s budget through education debt reduction and loan forgiveness, training incentive scholarships, nursing training support, programs for Veterans and more.

Work from home

Although not every VA job comes with flex time and telework options, many careers offer schedules that provide parents with a break from the traditional 9-to-5, 40-hour workweek. Options might include varying arrival and departure times, working longer but fewer days or even teleworking on a regular or ad-hoc basis with a formal agreement.

Choose VA today

As you take a closer look at VA’s work-life benefits, consider that another survey by Glassdoor in 2015 revealed that four out of five workers would take benefits such as health care or vacation time even more than a pay raise.

VA has you covered there, too. VA health care careers include 36 to 49 days paid time off per year, depending on the leave tier. You have the option of participating in a 401(k)-type retirement program with up to 5% in employer contributions. And you’ll have access to a range of exceptional, premium-paid health insurance plans for parents and individuals.

For parents in the military who are considering a move to federal service, there’s another perk: Apply your military service time to a civil service pension and look forward to a comfortable retirement.

If you’re a working parent interested in a career serving Veterans, consider choosing VA. Have a happy National Parents’ Day!

• EXPLORE the benefits of a VA career.
• SEARCH for open positions near you.
• CONTACT a recruiter by phone and email.
• Choose VA at www.VAcareers.va.gov.