Employment

The Employment Assistance Program at the Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) helps Air Force Members and their family members enhance their marketability. Throughout this program, the Air Force spouse and dependents can learn the skills and techniques required for a successful job search. The Employment Assistance Program can support you with Career Planning, Job Search Skills, Employment Information, Vocational and Educational Development, establishing and navigating a Spouse Employment and Career Opportunities(SECO), and much more. Please visit our resource center which hosts a computer lab and we have a variety of professional resume and professional writing materials available for you to checkout. Stop by or call to schedule an appointment to learn more about our services, such as:

• Resume Writing Assistance (Federal and Civilian)
• Interview Skills Workshops
• Job Postings and Searches
• Job Referrals
• Career Counseling
• Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)
• Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)
• Assistance with developing Your LinkedIn Profile
• Occupational Licensure and Recertification Assistance

Military & Family Readiness Center

2631 Wabash Ave

Eielson AFB, AK 907-377-2178

For job hunting purposes, be sure to hand carry all employment records and documents, resumes, SF 171, SF 50, transcripts, certificates, and licenses.

MyCAA

For information on MyCAA and Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities, visit Military OneSource. 

The 2024 Alaska state minimum wage is $11.73.

Alaska is the land of opportunity and the Alaskan job market reflects the Alaskan lifestyle. Alaska is a resource-rich state and many employment positions support the culture and diversity of the Alaskan lifestyle. Seasonal positions, particularly those related to hospitality, tourism, outdoor activities and retail, are plentiful during the summer and winter. Wages are competitive and many employers offer seasonal sign-on bonuses.

Individuals seeking part-time or full-time work may be pleasantly surprised by the opportunities Alaska has to offer. Due to the remote location, there is a high need for service-oriented, skilled, credentialed and licensed workers across all fields of employment such as health care, education, construction, tourism and finance, as well as many others.

There is a great demand for workers on Eielson Air Force Base. Employment opportunities include civil service, appropriated fund positions, non-appropriated fund positions, contract and community jobs.

For more information on Alaskan employment opportunities, research the following links: CareerOneStop, NAF jobs, USAJOBS or Eielson jobs.

Employment

The state minimum wage in 2024 is $11.73. Voters passed a ballot initiative in 2014, which requires the the minimum wage be adjusted annually for inflation, according Alaska Statute 23.10.

State Employment Office

The Alaska Department of Labor office offers training opportunities, resume-writing assistance and job search assistance. The DOL also runs a computer lab and testing facility to help people with their employment needs. It maintains the state job bank, which you can access from the Department of Labor website or from the myAlaska website. The Alaska jobs system provides:

• Thousands of quality, unduplicated job postings across the internet
• Career tools to allow job seekers to effectively find jobs that match their skills, values and interests
• Powerful labor exchange tools such as ones to build a resume
• Comprehensive information on education, training programs and financial aid
• Detailed labor market information

Unemployment assistance

To file for unemployment benefits online, click on Unemployment Insurance Benefits.

What are the requirements to establish eligibility to benefits?

Generally, the three major criteria are:

• Wage credits from an employer that is subject to unemployment insurance laws
• A total gross income of at least $2,500 earned over two calendar quarters of your base period
• You must maintain your eligibility while receiving benefits by being able and available for full time work, actively seeking and reporting weekly work searches and registering for work as required..

What is my weekly benefit amount?

In Alaska, you can receive a minimum weekly benefit amount of $56 up to a maximum of $370 per week. Your monetary determination will state your weekly benefit amount and how many weeks of benefits you are potentially eligible for. To estimate your potential benefits use this worksheet.

What if I have worked in another state?

You may be eligible for a combined wage claim. Any work you have done in another state during the last 18 months may be combined to establish a claim. Usually combining wages will result in a higher weekly benefit amount. It is important to advise a claim representative of any work you have done in another state so these wages can be electronically transferred to Alaska. After a review of your work history, one of our representatives will be able to give you the best option on where to file your claim.

What if I have worked for the federal government?

Claims that are based on federal employment are called Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE). When workers separate from federal employment, they receive a Standard Form 8 that gives basic Unemployment Insurance eligibility requirements, the Federal Identification Code for the employing agency, and the address that holds the wage and separation information. It is important to provide this document when establishing a claim.

Can I collect benefits based on my military wages?

Yes. Ex-military personnel qualify for UI benefits in most situations; however, they will be required to mail or fax a copy of their DD Form 214 to the claim centers. DD Form 214 is mailed to the service member at the time of separation.

What if I quit my job or was discharged by my employer?

Generally speaking, a worker must be out of work through no fault of their own to be eligible for benefits without penalty. If it is determined that you voluntarily quit without good cause or you were discharged for misconduct, there will be a six-week disqualification period. This disqualification will begin the first week you are unemployed and will continue through the following five weeks. In addition to the disqualification period, there will also be a three-week reduction of payments and you will not be eligible for extended benefits.

Can I attend school while collecting benefits?

Alaska does allow individuals to attend academic or vocational training in some specific situations. Each individual's situation and training objective is evaluated before a decision can be made. It's not possible to give a definite answer as to whether training would meet our criteria without specifics. If you are attending or plan to attend academic or vocational training, it is necessary to contact your claim center and speak to a representative.

What is a base period?

The base period for Alaska is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the quarter in which a claim for benefits is filed. For example, a claim established in May would have a base period of January-December of the previous year. Wages earned during the base period determine both the amount and duration of an individual's unemployment insurance benefits.

If you need assistance regarding your claim, contact:

Fairbanks UI Claim Center 
675 7th Ave., Station M 
Fairbanks, AK 99701 
907-451-2871 
907-451-2870 FAX