Alternative Hiring Process

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process (AHP). The AHP is established as part of a comprehensive strategy to increase employment of individuals with disabilities within state government.

A person with a documented disability as outlined in 51.5-40.1 is eligible for participation in the AHP. Participants must be certified by a Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

An AHP applicant must be certified as an individual with a documented disability resulting in a barrier to employment as determined by a DARS/DBVI Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. If approved, the Counselor will provide a Certificate of Disability (COD) to the individual who can then submit their COD during application.

The individual does not have to be receiving services from DARS/DBVI at the time in order to be certified as eligible. Certification for this program does not preclude individuals from applying competitively for other state jobs. COD information can be found at Certificate of Disability, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.

Applicants may apply for wage or classified positions through the Recruitment Management System (RMS). The applicant must designate certification for AHP and submit a copy of their Certification of Disability to their employment application.

For more information, please refer to the

Alternative Hiring Process Guidance document

and the  

Frequently Asked Questions.