Veterans

For those who have served or are serving, we at the City of Urbana thank you.

Approximately 10% of our workforce is comprised of current and past military members; many have found a calling in public safety. Why? Careers in these fields offer a highly structured environment, emphasis on teamwork, continuing education and growth opportunities. Each mission brings incredible challenges and rewards you never imagined.

For those who have served or are currently serving, we offer the following initiatives:

Veterans Preference Points
If you are a veteran applying for a Civil Service position, you may be entitled to five (5) points added to your final score. To ensure you receive credit, please upload your DD-214 form or other documentation with your application.

Civil Service Exams
Military personnel who, in connection with current service, have military orders that indicate their unavailability due to military service the day of a Civil Service examination should contact the Human Resources Division to request a make-up written examination.

To request a make-up, submit an application for an open position and request such accommodation in writing (e-mail is acceptable), with a copy of your military orders attached to Elizabeth Borman at: eeborman@urbanaillinois.us. Please include your e-mail address, daytime base phone number and/or name and phone number of a friend or family member with whom you have regular contact and entrust with your personal communication.

GI Bill
If you are offered a public safety position, you may be eligible to receive GI Bill benefits during training.

Special Accommodations

If you are a person with a disability or a disabled Veteran and are applying for a job at the City of Urbana, we want to ensure your application process goes as smoothly as possible. If you need additional assistance, information or answers to your questions, feel free to contact Elizabeth Borman, Assistant Human Resources Manager, by phone at: (217) 384-2459 or by e-mail: eeborman@urbanaillinois.us.

Interviews

Most of our interviews use questions where we ask you about your past experience in a variety of situations. We encourage veterans to draw on their military experience for these questions. Some candidates feel like they should use examples from civilian life because their military work is not directly linked to the type of job they are interviewing for. What we tend to look for is translatable skills: did you accept responsibility when a project didn't go as planned? Did you work above and beyond what was expected of you when duty called? Do you recall a time when you showed leadership in a situation? For more tips, be sure to visit the Preparing for Your Interview page.

Military Leave

As a public employer, the City supports and affirms the following regulations covering military leave, including:

Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA)

USERRA provides protection rights of reinstatement to employees who participate in the National Guard and Reserve (38 U.S.C. §§ 4301–4333).

Local Government Employees Benefits Continuation Act.

U.S. reserve members and Illinois National Guard members who are employed by the local government are able to retain their employee benefits throughout periods of active service. Reserve and National Guard members are entitled to their salary minus the amount of military base pay received for active duty (50 ILCS 140).

Municipal Employees Military Active Duty Act

Pension Payments —Authorizes municipal authorities to make pension payments on behalf of service members during periods of active duty, in lieu of deductions from salary (50 ILCS 120).

Public Employee Armed Services Rights Act

Employment & Benefits — Protects the rights and benefits of Reserve and National Guard members who are public employees and called into active duty. This Act protects insurance benefits, promotional, employment, contractual or salary benefits, and pension rights (5 ILCS 330).

Getting Around

If you are a veteran, you are eligible for a free, unlimited, 3-year bus pass courtesy of the award-winning Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District! This offer is extended to any veteran who presents a State of Illinois-issued identification card or driver’s license carrying an official “Veteran” designation, a Military Retirement Card, a VA ID card, or the combination of a DD214 and valid State of Illinois ID card or driver’s license. Veterans and others who would like more information can contact Jan Kijowski at (217) 384-8188 or jkijowski@cumtd.com.