Employment

Basic employment opportunities are plentiful at Fleet Activities Sasebo, with more than 30 jobs available at any given time along with countless needs for volunteers. Employers and volunteer organizations actively compete to attract employees. The number of upper level, advanced skill and supervisory positions, however, are very limited. The majority of immediately accessible jobs are in the customer service, food service and clerk fields. The Fleet and Family Support Center’s Family Employment Readiness Program is prepared to assist new arrivals in maximizing their potential of achieving a position that best suits their skill level, knowledge and experience.

There are more than 170 civil service positions managed through the Human Resources Office. These are very popular because of the portability and benefits offered with the jobs. Navy Exchange employment is becoming more competitive, providing a recently published pamphlet titled 10 Reasons Why the Navy Exchange System Should Be Your Career Choice. They now focus on long-term employment and options for making your career portable as you make a permanent change of station. The Sasebo Navy Exchange employs an average of 90 Status of Forces Agreement-sponsored family member individuals. Morale, Welfare and Recreation publishes a weekly Job Opportunities bulletin and spotlights key and critical positions in their Showcase Magazine and other publications. MWR is the biggest employer on base, with more than 500 employees on their payroll. For Non-Appropriated Fund positions and government positions, visit the USAJobs website.

If you are in the job market, you will undoubtedly hear good points and bad points about any advertised position. Have you heard of the saying “be ready when opportunity knocks”? When it does, make sure to weigh the pros and cons, but do it quickly. Job opportunities come and go very quickly in Sasebo, with an emphasis on the word “go.”

There are great opportunities here to learn new skills and to diversify your work experience. You can find a rewarding job that's perfect for you. There are also a number of career-enhancing opportunities through volunteering.

Good Prospects

The following are good prospects: Navy Exchange (retail and food service), MWR (customer service, recreational aids and food service), and Department of Defense Dependents Schools and Department of Defense Education Activities (substitute teaching). Two main sources of employment are self-employment and home-based businesses, including teaching English to Japanese people, child care, cleaning services, selling crafts and baked goods, and giving manicures.

Fair Prospects

Professional positions are hit or miss, depending on your timing, level of education and experience, and chosen profession. Bank teller positions are for people with prior experience. The availability of civil service positions varies. Clerical positions are fair but highly competitive.

Poor Prospects

Entry-level clerical and administrative positions, entry-level positions for college graduates, high-level management positions and positions with Japanese companies for non-Japanese speakers are few and far between.

Be sure to plan in advance for your overseas job search. Bring with you copies of college transcripts, professional licenses and letters of reference, and your resume. Bring your resume with your personal items; do not put it in your pack out. In addition, it is advisable to bring addresses and phone numbers for completing application forms or background checks. This information is often very difficult to gather once you have arrived overseas.

One of your first stops in any quest for local employment should be at the Fleet and Family Support Center Family Employment Readiness Program office.

This program is designed to provide assistance to family members seeking full- or part-time employment using local job listing and internet resources, and to learn about open positions, the application process and what benefits are available. Military, Department of Defense civilians and family members are eligible for services.

The Fleet and Family Support Center offers a workshop specifically for your transition out of the military. The Transition Assistance Program is a five-day workshop for military members and their families. Topics include resume-writing, job-search strategies, veterans’ benefits information, the Survivor Benefit Plan, internet outplacement services, Department of Labor training and lifestyle changes. 

It is recommended that eligible candidates attend this workshop one year prior to their projected separation. 

My Career Advancement Account

For information on My Career Advancement Account and/or Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities, visit Military OneSource. 

Basic employment opportunities are plentiful at Fleet Activities Sasebo, with many jobs available at any given time, along with countless needs for volunteers. The majority of immediately accessible jobs are in the customer service, food service and clerk fields. Call the Fleet and Family Support Center at
011-81-956-50-3372 or DSN 315-252-3372.