Mayor, Wounded Warrior Project Announce First-in-Nation Collaboration

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria has announced a first-in-the-nation collaboration with Wounded Warrior Project to create a military- and veteran-relations position with the city of San Diego.

In the news release announcing the collaboration, Gloria said that the position would be filled by a post-9/11 veteran with a service-connected disability, whose job will be to develop career opportunities within local government, strengthen partnerships with local military installations and veteran service organizations, and connect San Diego’s veteran and military community to City services and programs.

"San Diego is a proud military town that takes care of our service members, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Wounded Warrior Project on this innovative program as part of that commitment," Gloria said. "This new liaison will develop programs and services to help San Diego’s veteran and military community thrive as well as connect them with City jobs to continue their public service."

According to the news release, the collaboration between Wounded Warrior Project and San Diego builds on the already successful WWP Washington, DC Capitol Hill fellowships and Warrior Advocate Leaders program, which has brought hundreds of veterans to Capitol Hill.

The program, the news release said, will be the first of its kind with a local government and will provide an opportunity to a post-9/11 veteran with a service-connected disability to develop experience and exposure to broaden career opportunities within local government.

Wounded Warrior Project CEO Mike Linnington, a U.S. Army retiree, said WWP had been a "dedicated member" of the San Diego community for nearly 20 years, "honoring and empowering wounded warriors residing in the greater San Diego area or recovering from their injuries at Naval Medical Center San Diego."

He called the collaboration "groundbreaking."

"This groundbreaking collaboration with the city of San Diego empowers wounded warriors by offering them an opportunity to gain valuable experience working with the Mayor’s Office while continuing to serve military and veteran communities," Linnington said. "This program aligns with our vision to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded Service members in our nation's history."

Once hired, the news release said, the individual will work in the Human Resources Department and work closely with the city’s Department of Government Affairs, the mayor’s community engagement team and local military installations, veteran service organizations and other community partners.

"We value the contributions of our military veterans and hope this new collaboration will foster an environment where more veterans will consider a career working for the City of San Diego," Chief Operating Officer Eric Dargan said. "As a U.S. Army veteran myself, I’m proud to see San Diego taking this crucial step toward supporting veterans and developing a strong pipeline for successful employment in public service."

The city will conduct a competitive search for the position, the news release said. To be eligible, candidates must be a post-9/11 veteran in good standing and have a service-connected disability.

Those interested are encouraged to fill out an application.