City of Lakeland, Florida

Veterans’ Recruitment Plan

Fiscal Year 2027

(October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027)

Introduction

The City of Lakeland is committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining talented veterans as part of a diverse and highly qualified workforce. The City recognizes the exceptional leadership, technical expertise, discipline, and transferable skills acquired through military service and values the significant contributions veterans bring to public service.

The City also recognizes that transitioning from military to civilian employment can present unique challenges. Through targeted recruitment initiatives, strategic partnerships, and effective onboarding practices, the City is committed to supporting veterans throughout the employment process and increasing awareness of career opportunities within municipal government.

Purpose

The purpose of the City of Lakeland's Veterans' Recruitment Plan is to encourage individuals who are eligible for Veterans' Preference, as provided in Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.), to pursue employment opportunities with the City of Lakeland.

This plan fulfills the recruitment planning requirements established under Section 295.07(5)(a), Florida Statutes, by establishing measurable recruitment goals and strategies designed to increase veterans' awareness of employment opportunities, expand outreach efforts, and enhance the City's ability to recruit qualified veterans. This plan establishes the City's recruitment goals for Fiscal Year 2027.

Established Goals

To strengthen veteran recruitment and increase awareness of employment opportunities within the City of Lakeland, the following goals have been established for Fiscal Year 2027:

Goal – Maintain a Veteran Workforce Representative of the Community

 The City of Lakeland will strive to maintain or exceed the percentage of veterans employed within its workforce relative to the veteran population of the communities it serves, while continuing to comply with all applicable employment laws, hiring policies, and Veterans' Preference requirements.

Based on 2025 United States Census data, the veteran population is:

• City of Lakeland: 6.3%
• Greater Lakeland Area: 7.8%
• Polk County: 5.4%
• State of Florida: 5.7%

Goal 2 – Expand Military Transition Partnerships

The City of Lakeland will establish and maintain a partnership with the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program to provide internship and work-based learning opportunities for active-duty service members transitioning from military service to civilian careers.

Goal 3 – Increase Veteran Recruitment Outreach

The City of Lakeland will partner with CareerOneStop/Employ Florida to advertise employment opportunities and will maintain an average of at least five (5) job postings per month, for a minimum of sixty (60) job postings annually.

Annual Evaluation

At the conclusion of Fiscal Year 2027, the City of Lakeland will evaluate the effectiveness of this Veterans' Recruitment Plan by documenting progress toward each established recruitment goal. The results will be maintained as part of the City's recruitment records and made available in accordance with applicable public records and reporting requirements.