Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) President Forrest Claypool signed an executive order that creates a veteran hiring preference, reflecting CTA’s commitment to providing employment opportunities to men and women who have served in the armed forces.
“The CTA recognizes and values the experience of our country’s veterans, and we believe that experience could translate very well to a number of CTA positions,” Claypool said. “Many veterans, by virtue of their military service, are well-equipped to serve this agency and its customers.”
As part of the policy, CTA’s goal is to attract at least a 20% pool of veterans during the application process for positions, including drivers, mechanics, engineers, managers and other workers.
Additionally, prior to any vacancy being posted, CTA will review and adjust job descriptions where applicable to account for “equivalent experience” to reflect military experience. For example, a posting for bus mechanics would take into account a veteran’s experience servicing military vehicles or equipment.
Lastly, during the interview rating process, a veteran’s experience will be factored into the candidate’s overall score.