Looking for some country air? These rural VA sites have jobs

Are green, open spaces calling your name? You’re not alone. A growing number of Americans are opting out of cities in favor of rural areas and small towns.

As the only nationwide health care system in the U.S., VA has more than 2,000 locations — in every state in the nation, the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories. Clinics and medical centers can be found in some of America’s best small towns, and many locations are currently hiring.

Find your new home

If you’re looking to trade in bustling city streets for wide open country roads, check out some of these rural medical centers or their associated clinics.

1. Augusta, Maine — VA’s historic first hospital sits on the site of a former summer resort five miles east of Maine’s capital Augusta, a small town of about 18,000 people. The campus of more than 500 acres encompasses abundant natural woodlands that are home to a wide variety of Maine wildlife.
2. Erie, Pennsylvania — How would you like to live along one of the Great Lakes? Founded in 1951, the Erie Medical Center serves 23,000 Veterans in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. The city of Erie has a population of about 100,000 but is bordered by many rural towns, the Allegheny National Forest and, of course, the beaches and scenic overlooks of Lake Erie.
3. Beckley, West Virginia — This 30-bed hospital serves 11 counties in the Appalachian Mountains of southern West Virginia. Called the “epitome of small-town America” by Business Insider and with a population of about 16,000, Beckley is also known as the cheapest place to live in the U.S., with many homes costing less than $100,000. You’ll also be close to nature, history and an active arts scene.
4. Asheville, North Carolina — Serving more than 31,000 Veterans in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia, the Charles George VA Medical Center is a 119-bed hospital with a separate 120-bed extended care and rehab center. While it’s off the beaten path in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this small city of about 90,000 was named one of the top 15 places to live in America by livability.com and is known for delicious food and vibrant art and music scenes.
5. Salem, Virginia — Another medical center in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains is the Salem VA Medical Center. Opened in 1934, it serves 78,000 Veterans in the southwestern part of the state. Salem is a rising destination for tournaments and sporting events, having hosted more than 70 NCAA championships since 1993. The town of about 25,000 also features a charming, historic downtown and is surrounded by abundant natural beauty.
6. Cloud, Minnesota — Known for its gardens and scenic lakes, St. Cloud is located along the banks of the Mississippi River and is home to about 66,000 people. Its medical center opened in 1924 — one of the first VA medical centers in the area — and serves around 37,000 Veterans.
7. Hot Springs, South Dakota — Welcome to Veterans Town! After the Battle Mountain Sanitarium for Veterans opened there in 1907, Hot Springs began to refer to itself as The Veterans Town. Veterans are still a central part of life in this small town of about 3,000 in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It’s also known for its springs, which were first used for healing by the Lakota.
8. Grand Junction, Colorado — Serve 37,000 Veterans in this 53-bed hospital on the Western Slope of Colorado. It’s the only VA organization to have been awarded the Presidential Award for Quality. You’ll live in a town of about 66,000 in the heart of Colorado’s wine country. Though it is the largest town in the area, it’s surrounded by natural wonders, including Colorado National Monument, hundreds of Grand Mesa lakes, the Colorado River and red rock canyons.
9. Roseburg, Oregon — Head west to this small town in Oregon’s Umpqua River Valley. Surrounded by several national forests, Roseburg is a nature lover’s dream. Waterfalls, green valleys, hiking trails and prime fishing spots are just a stone’s throw away, as well as the famous Crater Lake. The Roseburg VA Medical Center is located on 200 acres and serves 62,000 Veterans living in Oregon and northern California.
10. Walla Walla, Washington — Named one of the most beautiful towns in Washington, Walla Walla is home to the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center. It has a charming downtown dating back to 1850 and is close to hundreds of vineyards.

Enjoy excellent benefits

Not only can you take your pick of locations at VA, you’ll also receive:

• Paid vacation time that starts building right away, paid sick leave and 10 paid federal holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance, including dental and vision care, which may become effective on the first full pay period after you start your job.
• Generous retirement benefits through the Federal Employees’ Retirement System, or FERS, a three-tier retirement plan that includes a 401(k)-type savings plan with an up-to-5% employer match, Social Security and pension.

Work at VA today

Get away from it all while enjoying a satisfying career working with Veterans.

• EXPLORE our open positions.
• LEARN about the benefits of a VA career.
• VISIT VA Careers for information about VA and how to apply for a position.