Employment and Volunteer Opportunities

The Employment Readiness Program (ERP) provides information and referral services on employment, education, training, transition, and volunteer opportunities to give Family members the competitive edge needed to secure meaningful employment. ERP offers up-to-date information on available employment opportunities, market and job trends, education, and volunteer resources to help individuals make informed decisions when seeking employment. 

ERP services for Veterans, military spouses, dependent children, DoD Civilian employees and their dependents:

• Career counseling and job coaching
• Career assessments
• Employment prospects in the new location
• Preparing a new resume
• Self-improvement workshops and classes
• Job search techniques
• Information on training and education
• Obtaining a listing of current job openings

Resume classes are offered in three parts each quarter via Microsoft Teams. They provide participants detailed instruction and exercises in creating effective resumes.

Ten Steps to a Federal Job and The Stars are Lined Up for Military Spouses are one-day courses offered monthly to teach how to use the USAJobs.gov website. The Employment Readiness Program Manager (ERPM) demonstrates account creation, interpreting vacancy announcements, understanding and communicating KSAs, and using the occupational questionnaire in order to create targeted resumes and start applying for jobs. Participants learn how to save searches to alert them of possible job prospects and monitor the progress of their applications.

Dress for Success and Interview Preparation classes are offered via Microsoft Teams the first Thursday of every month. One-on-one meetings (in-person, over-the-phone, VoIP,) are always available for service members, their spouses, and DoD civilian employees and their family members.

Please contact your local ACS office to learn more about services offered. 

The Army Volunteer Corps (AVC) plays a crucial role in community involvement and development. Volunteers make a meaningful difference in the lives of Soldiers and their Families every day. Army Volunteer Corps is designed to help you find local volunteering opportunities with organizations that benefit the Army community and allows you to obtain ongoing training and advancement.

The ACS computer lab is available to assist you in viewing vacancy announcements/job listings. Hours of operation are Monday through Wednesday, and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Thursdays 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  

For more information regarding volunteering opportunities please contact the ACS Volunteer Coordinator at your location.

Appropriated Funds (APF or AF) positions are funded through Congress with tax dollars. Examples are General Schedule (GS), NSPS (YA, YB, YC) and Wage Grade (WG). Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) jobs are funded in part by the fees paid by the program’s customers. Full vacancy descriptions for AF/NAF are found at AT THE USAJOBS WEBSITE.

Determine which employment category you fall under, if any. Remember, if your category are not listed under “Who may apply” in the announcement, you will not be considered for the position. The civilian personnel office representative will determine your eligibility. The most common categories for this area are Military Spouse Preference (MSP), Family Member Preference (FMP), 30% Disabled Veteran (DAV) and various other Veteran eligibilities. Learn more about eligibility and hiring preferences. 

SOFA requires that the Department of the Army recruit Local National/Host Nation employees in strict accordance with the Host Nation labor laws. If you have a passport from any country other than the U.S., you would typically only be eligible through vacancies listed on these websites: 

• CHRA Website
• USAG Benelux Vacancy List

In the Benelux, laws regarding HBBs vary by country, and are interpreted by the Northern Law Center. In certain cases, HBBs may allow Families to work from their Army quarters. HBB owners must obtain approval from the garrison commander or senior commander. Get more information regarding HBB today by contacting the Northern law Center.

Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) is an initiative of the Department of Defense's Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program that aims to help military spouses find jobs. The partnership includes more than 390 partners or military-friendly employers. Please use the references below in your search. MSEP is a targeted recruitment and employment solution for spouses and companies that:

• Connects corporate and non-profit organizations with military spouses representing all Military Services.
• Provides human resource managers with recruitment solutions – military spouses.
• Prepares military spouses to become competitive, "job ready" applicants.
• Connects military spouses with employers seeking the essential 21st century workforce skills and attributes they possess.

For more information on these programs visit the Military OneSource website. 

The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides eligible military spouses with up to $4,000 in financial assistance for licenses, certifications, national tests or associate degrees to pursue an occupation or career field. The MyCAA Scholarship helps you be successful on your path with:

• An individualized coaching session with a SECO career coach
• An Education and Training Plan
• Up to $4,000 of tuition assistance
• Valuable SECO tools, such as the Traitify Personality Assessment

Your My Career Advancement Account and My Spouse Education and Career Opportunities account work together to help you meet your education and career goals. The MyCAA Scholarship application process leverages your MySECO profile and connects you to a career coach to help you make smart educational decisions and prepare you for a career that works with your military family’s mobile life. Learn more about MyCAA.