Fort Hood  Military and Family Support Center

Civilian positions in the competitive civil service area most frequently filled at Fort Hood are medical clerk, sales store checker, licensed vocational nurse, nursing assistant, registered nurse, education technician (child care), test data collector and data management specialist.

There are often many other positions available in the medical field (i.e., registered nurses, doctors, pharmacists, medical support assistants, nursing assistants), human resources specialists and assistants (military), police officers, budget analysts and technicians, logistics management specialists, and various administrative and clerical positions.

Civil Service Employment

Fort Hood’s Civilian Personnel Advisory Center occupies two buildings. Appropriated and
Non-Appropriated Fund human resources are located in Building 4820 Washington Street. Morale Welfare and Recreation, worker's compensation and the military spouse program are located in Building 4819 Washington Street. Offices are closed to walk-ins noon-4 p.m. daily. For civil service employment, find all government jobs at Fort Hood at USAJOBS.

Army Community Service Employment Readiness Program

The Army Community Service Employment Readiness Program assists all Department of Defense identification card holders seeking employment in the Central Texas labor market – for on- and off-post career opportunities. Job seekers and career changers are encouraged to contact the ACS ERP in their area as soon as they receive orders or as soon as possible after their arrival at Fort Hood. The ERP staff will assist you in establishing career goals and objectives. ERP staff will coordinate employment education and training workshops on a recurring schedule. Workshops are available to assist you in developing and refining resumes, learning interviewing skills, defining personal and professional goals, learning about the job outlook, and directing you to job leads and resources. There are a variety of approaches used to ensure your job search needs are met and that you're properly prepared for any career opportunity that interests you. To sign up for any services, contact ACS ERP by calling 254-287-6067 or DSN 312-738-6067, or visit their website.

ACS is located in the Shoemaker Center, Building 36000 Darnall Loop, Fort Hood, Texas. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Note: For information about the Military Spousal Preference Program, contact the ACS ERP at Fort Hood at 254-287-6067 or DSN 312-738-6067.

Transition Assistance Program

Transition Assistance Program is the lead Army agency with responsibility to assist commanders with the execution of their transition assistance program under Public Law 112-56, the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011. SFL-TAP provides full-spectrum transition services to soldiers, retirees and their Army families in transition from active duty or those who are demobilizing. Statutory counseling employment life skills training includes job search, resume writing, career guidance, benefits use and negotiation skills relevant to a successful transition to civilian life.

The Fort Hood TAP center can be reached at 254-288-2227, 254-288-JOBS (5627) or 254-288-5627, and 254-553-6363; and is located on the third floor, Copeland Soldier Service Center, Building 18010, T.J. Mills and Battalion Avenue. The center features a computer lab with 25 computers. Job postings, counselor resume assistance and reference materials are available in the lab from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The center is open during lunch.

Services and assistance are provided by certified TAP counselors at absolutely no charge. Soldiers are required to begin transition activities not later than 366 days prior to separation and authorized on-duty time to train and prepare for transition to civilian careers. The TAP foundation course is the mandatory five-day VOW workshop which occurs weekly at the Soldier Development Center. Weekly senior and bi-monthly executive-level employment workshops are available for officers, senior noncommissioned officers and those eligible to retire with 20 years of active duty. Your assigned TAP counselor will take it from there with one-on-one help with job search, writing a resume, cover or thank you letters, developing a portfolio, posting the resume online, completing a job application, registering for Veterans Affairs benefits and much more. In addition, optional two-day seminars in the areas of career technical, higher-education and entrepreneur tracks, as well as a host of specialty seminars ranging from federal resume writing to Troops2Teachers, are available.

The two-day entrepreneurship seminar, presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration, is offered every month. This two-day overview complements other business offerings such as being your own boss, home-based business, and taking your business to the internet.

The twice-weekly, two-day accessing higher education seminar assists those who plan to attend college. Transitioners find institutions and degree programs to fulfill their career goals; determine costs; explore loans, grants and scholarships; and complete college application packages.

The weekly, two-day career technical training seminar is facilitated by the VA and designed for individuals interested in attending trade or technical schools. This course guides those transitioning in evaluating training needs and selecting the appropriate technical school.

Soldiers’ opportunities to put what they learn into practice occur at TAP's bi-annual career fairs. Each event host 185 employers, 5,000 job seekers are the largest such career events in the Department of Defense. Additional hiring events occur on an as-needed basis on individual corporate requests.

Additional transition opportunities authorized under the VOW Act include participation in up to 22 weeks of select, on-duty career skills programs offered by industry during a soldier's final 180 days on active duty. Completion of these programs result in the high probability of employment and selection for these programs is highly competitive as seats are limited. Soldiers must be in good standing with the command, on track for an honorable discharge, receive the support of their battalion commander on program release forms, and commit to achieving the highest of industry course graduation standards.

All programs are no cost to soldiers. Current programs operating at Fort Hood include:

GM/ Raytheon (Shifting Gears) – 13 weeks

This is an automotive technician training that will not make you a fully-certified GM mechanic upon completion, but close. Recruiter specifically looking for 91Bs, but will take anyone with mechanical background and genuine passion for cars. There are 4,300 GM dealerships across the country, mainly outside the Central Texas area. Program does not provide tools, but works with soldiers to help them negotiate their compensation package. Training is done on newer vehicles with focus on diagnosis and trouble shooting. There are 30 students per class and the class is offered approximately four times per year. Training is done for the full five days of the week and is free of charge.

Veterans in Piping —18 weeks

A welding program that rolls graduates into a union apprenticeship, this training takes one full year off the five-year apprenticeship. Placements are made at 276 union locations across the nation and class runs four days a week with 10-hour days. Students must pass a number of welding tests without imperfections. The program is looking for students who are want to make this a long-lasting career. Training is free of charge.

Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program —12 weeks

This is a corporate partnership that runs a management-level project with participating industry businesses. Three days a week, students are with the company and one day per week the cohort is at the Texas Workforce Commission for classroom training. Partner companies change with each cohort dependent upon the make-up of students and their backgrounds. Hiring our Heroes has a strict deadline of events in order to be selected for the class. Generally, applications are due two months prior to the start date of class. Resumes are required for selection. Most companies are out of Austin, Texas while some are based in the Texas cities of Temple and Waco. Students must understand there is a transportation requirement. Training is free of charge.

DFW Airport Police Academy Program—19 weeks

DFW airport police are responsible for the airport as well as the 35-mile radius around it. It is the third-highest paying police force in Texas. Training is in conjunction with Central Texas College. Upon completion, graduates are certified Texas officers (bear in mind some departments have specific additional requirements). DFW has a strict timeline of events for application. The most recent class had an application deadline approximately four months prior to class start date. This is because of the extensive application process, background investigation, physical fitness test and psychological examination. Training is free of charge.

VA’s Warrior Training Advancement Course – 10 weeks – veteran’s service representatives

A federal position as a Veterans Service Representative, students will learn how to document and compile health information that will eventually lead to a disability rating. Work environment is a cubicle-style office with a constant flow of paperwork and fast turnaround times. Most states only have one regional office, Texas has two (Waco and Houston). Areas with WARTAC training are usually oversaturated and availability is extremely limited. WARTAC has a strict timeline of application events, as well as the need for a federal resume. There is a mandatory brief that usually occurs two months prior to the start of class. Class is only run twice a year. Students must be active duty the entire length of class. The position has a jumping scale for the first three years starting as a GS-07, GS-09 and GS-10. Training is free of charge.

Resume Specifics for WARTAC:

1. Ability to utilize computer software

2. Explanation of how they research, interpret, analyze regulations.

3. Ways in which they communicate to employees

Troops into Transportation — Four to Five weeks**

This is a commercial driver’s license training program that requires student payment, but leaves students open to fielding numerous job offers. Schools work with 12 different partners to pre-hire students. Classes run every two weeks and are a great option for chapters with a quick out date.

**While they offer the same basics, each one has more specifics that the students should be aware of before they make a decision. The career skills program office recommends students talk to each company prior to signing in order to make the best informed decision when it comes to pay, location, actual drive time, time home and additional endorsements offered.

Caliber Collision — 18 weeks

A collision repair program that teaches all aspects of trade except painting, these classes are tentatively scheduled to start every six weeks. Upon completion of the class, placement will be at Caliber Collision centers regionally, from California south through Texas and then up the coast. Caliber is in 17 states and widely expanding. Any military occupational specialty is encouraged to apply as they teach all of the information needed. Company is looking for highly motivated personnel who are interested in investing in this career. Training is free of charge.

City of Austin Veterans Internship Program – Up to 22 weeks

Currently, students will be working with three departments. First, fleet management which is the preventative maintenance on all of the city’s vehicles. Secondly, the energy department, which is fixing cable lines as well as being dispatched to natural disaster areas. Finally, water treatment – which requires previous experience. There is no designated class start dates with these programs as we begin matching when we have enough students interested. Training is free of charge.

SAP – 10 weeks

The Systems Applications and Products in Data Processing Course is a high-demand business solutions data processing and programming system for enterprise resource planning strategies targeted at numerous companies across the globe in various industries. SAP is designed for active-duty service members transitioning from military service. SAP is a fulltime training program conducted during duty hours. Upon successful completion, graduates are marketable from mid-size to Fortune 500 companies globally that use SAP. The average salaries in the SAP industry are between $45,000 to $100,000. Class address is Central Texas College in Fort Hood, Building 3202, Room 136.

Airstreams – Seven weeks

The Renewable Energy and Communications Tower Technician Program offers certifications required for employment consideration in the wind, cell tower and other industrial sectors. Certificates include authorized climber, electrical and electrical metering safety, torque and tension, first aid and CPR, Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10, level-one crane rigging, signalperson, capstan hoist, and CADWELD.

This training provides the knowledge and skills for a career climbing cell towers and wind turbines.

Heroes Make America - 10 weeks

HMA is an accelerated nine-week training program, held four to five times each year. Each class will have a maximum of 30 service members and spouses (where space allows). The service members in our training program will acquire industry-specific skills and certifications needed to be successful in a manufacturing career. Participants will earn seven industry-specific credentials – safety, quality, production, maintenance, certified production technician plus, fork lift operator, OSHA 10, basic reading, math, and locating services. Participants will also earn a CPT certification and a certificate of completion from the manufacturing institute. Training is free of charge.

Home Builders Institute – 12 weeks

HBI provides veterans hands-on construction training leading to a nationally recognized certification and job placement assistance at no cost. HBI works closely with the homebuilding industry to provide current and effective training based on standards developed by residential construction experts and educators. The program builds the skills of its veteran trainees at a variety of career levels from pre-apprenticeship to superintendent-level training. Students who complete training through HBI PACT for Veterans meet the standards for pre-apprenticeship, qualifying them for semi-skilled employment in their respective trades.

Millwrights – Eight weeks

A millwright is a high-precision craftsman or tradesmen who installs, maintains, diagnoses and repairs equipment such as compressors, pumps, conveyors, gas and steam turbines, monorails, and extruders. They can be found performing mission-critical work at coal, gas, nuclear and alternative-energy power plants. Their skills are also vital in industries as diverse as automotive, aerospace, food processing and pharmaceuticals.

This program is designed to furnish each participant with pre-employment training, requirements and preparation necessary to be work-ready and referred to any of our contracting partners in the industrial construction marketplace

United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Millwrights and Pile Drivers is a union that will provide equipment and training for soldiers at no cost. Soldiers who complete the training program will be offered employment with UBC as an apprentice. Soldiers will also have the option of being placed at locations of desired residency. Soldiers should have basic math, reading and communication skills and successfully complete a pre-screen interview. A current security clearance is preferred, but not required.

Army and Air Force Exchange Service – 11 weeks

A veteran retail management training program. Through various blended learning opportunities, in this training participants will gain a foundation in retail business operations along with the development of soft and technical skills. Candidates who successfully complete the program are guaranteed placement in a permanent position on military installations throughout the continental U.S.

In the first 11 days of training, you will be at the AAFES headquarters in Dallas, Texas. In the next segment of training the student will rotate through multiple AAFES facilities during the internship on Fort Hood. Training is free of charge.

McLane – Distribution Operations Training – 9 weeks

This program provides entry-level and career advancement skills in warehouse operations. The program is 9 weeks in length and is administered by McLane Southwest teammates, including management and senior leadership. Cohorts are kept small allowing for hands-on training and support in a classroom and warehouse setting. Warehouse operations covers a range of activities. Training is standard and will focus on work procedures, equipment operation and systems needed to fulfill customer orders.

In addition to skills training, a soft skills session is also provided, which will introduce the participant to soft skills such as teamwork and communication all of which are pivotal to success at McLane. Training is free of charge and conducted in Temple, Texas.  Soldiers must have basic counting and arithmetic skills, and hold either a high school diploma or GED.

TEL – Semi-Conductor Maintenance – 7 weeks

Tel is the 3^rd largest semiconductor equipment company in the world.   This program will train soldiers on how to perform on site service and repair, to include modifications of semiconductor processing equipment at customer facilities.  Duties will include technical assistance, status reporting, and customer interaction.  A background in Electro-mechanical, maintenance, electronics, pneumatics, RF/microwave, avionics, and/or a communications equipment background is ideal for this training.  This training is free of charge and will be conducted in Austin, Texas for 3 weeks, and 4 weeks of OJT in Arizona or Oregon.

FORD --- Technicians of Tomorrow – 16 weeks

The FORD MILITARY CSP is approximately a four (4) month program providing FORD-specific training and dealership hands-on experience that enables students to obtain FORD Service Technician Specialty Training (STST) certification. You will earn four (4) Ford specific certifications. Any MOS is welcome to enroll and encourage anyone with mechanical background and genuine passion for cars to take advantage of this opportunity. Those that graduate from the program and receive employment by Ford motor company within Texas are provided a specialty tool kit with a value of over $3k. The FORD Technician training is conducted at the local Central Texas College campus, five days a week, along with a short period of PTDY within Texas to designated Ford manufacturing and training center.  The training is free of charge.

MasTec Utility Services – 13 weeks

The Electrical Lineman Program is designed to train persons that wish to become entry-level electrical line workers for private and public utility companies and related employers. Students will learn academic and field skills necessary for entry-level workers. Safe work practices are a foundation of the program. This program is approved for national certification by the National Center for Construction Education and Research.

Soldiers will leave the program with the ability to start entry level electrical construction line work. They will be trained in the operation of various pieces of heavy machinery and have a basic understanding of introductory electrical work. Soldiers will have a good probability of continued employment with MasTec or other infrastructure construction companies. Training is free of charge – soldier must supply steel toe boots. Training is conducted locally.

Galvanize –Software Developer - 18 weeks

Creating a technology ecosystem for learners, entrepreneurs, startups, and established companies to meet the needs of the rapidly changing digital world.  We teach industry-relevant skills and engineering practices, and we go beyond coding.  Software developers are in high demand all across the country.  The average starting salary for Galvanized graduates is $77,000.  You will travel to Austin – on your own, or by using the transportation set up by Galvanize.  This program costs $15,000.

For enrollment consideration in one of these CSP initiatives please contact the CSP manager at 254-288-0827.

Additional CSP are under development with expansion opportunities available. For information on CSP programming with Fort Hood, please contact the transition service manager at 254-288-6735. For corporate hiring, please contact the director of marketing at 254-553-9436.

When applying for positions on USAJOBS, be sure to upload all employment information, including transcripts, certificates, licenses, Military Spouse Preference Program application, etc. It is recommended that you build your resume in the USAJOBS resume builder. For assistance with your federal resume, contact the Army Community Service Employment Readiness Program at 254-287-6067.

The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides eligible military spouses with financial assistance for licenses, certifications or associate degrees to pursue an occupation or career field. For information on MyCAA please visit https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil or call 1-800-342-9647 or 254-287-6067.

Workforce Solutions for Central Texas (WSCT) is the state government agency charged with overseeing and providing workforce development services to job seekers of Texas. For job seekers, WSCT offers career development information, job search resources, training programs, and, as appropriate, unemployment benefits. While targeted populations receive intensive assistance to overcome barriers to employment all Texans can benefit from the services offered by WSCT and our network of workforce partners. For information visit the  WSCT website.

All civilian positions available at Fort Hood are posted on USAJOBS. For employment opportunities and more information on Fort Hood, visit the Army Community Service Employment Readiness Program in Building 36,000 (Shoemaker Center) or www.USAJOBS.gov. This will give you information on employment with the Federal Civilian Service and nonappropriated fund. The unemployment rate in the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood metro area for May 2021 is 6.7%. The median household income is $45,764.