Optional Program for Hiring Applicants with Disabilities

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The Office of Personnel Management administers the Optional Program for Hiring Applicants with Disabilities, through which persons with severe disabilities, who are legal residents of Oklahoma, may gain access to state employment.  All applicants must meet the minimum education and experience qualification for the job posting they are applying for.

Tests for all state jobs may be waived for those qualified applicants certified as eligible for this Program through the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.  Applicants hired through this program are eligible for permanent status in the classified service upon successful completion of a probationary period.

How to participate in the Optional Program for Hiring Applicants with Disabilities :

1. Obtain a certification letter from the Department of Rehabilitation Services stating that he or she has a severe disability as defined by state law.
2. Submit an on-line application for employment, including the required disability certification letter, to The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for each job class you wish to apply for
3. OPM will review your qualifications and send you a notice confirming that your name has been placed on the eligible list if you qualify.
4. As vacancies occur in the job class, OPM will send your name to all State of Oklahoma agencies who request a referral list for that job class and level for the counties you have indicated that you will work in.  Your application is valid for one year.  If you are still interested in seeking employment after the one year has elapsed, you  must submit a new application for each job class you wish to apply and for which you are qualified for.