Employment

South Carolina's mild climate, geographic beauty, cultural opportunities and pro-business climate attract employers and employees to the state. It boasts rich landscapes that include the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. There are more than 200 miles of coastline, hundreds of golf courses, leading resorts, 45 state parks and fast-growing urban areas.

Jobs are found in industries such as manufacturing (apparel, chemicals, food, electronics, metals, paper, plastics, furniture, textiles and wood products), natural resources and mining, construction, trade, transportation, utilities, financial services, educational services, health care and more. The travel, tourism and the film industry are also major industries. The South Carolina workforce is known for their innovation and productivity.

Employment Readiness Program:

The U.S. Army has established partnerships with several large corporations that have agreed to provide employment to Army spouses. The mission of the Employment Readiness Program is to provide family members with information and assistance regarding employment and educational opportunities.

Our services include:

• Up-to-date information on local, national and international employment opportunities; job market trends and education; and volunteer resources

Referrals to community agencies such as South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) and Military OneSource.

• Weekly listing of job opportunities from potential employers
• International transcript translations referral

Visit the Fort Jackson Army Community Service for more information.

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

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE

The Military Spouse Preference Priority Placement Program (MSP) is a Department of Defense (DOD) program that provides employment preference to spouses of active duty military members of the United States (U.S.) Armed Forces (including the Coast Guard), who relocate to accompany their sponsor on a permanent change of station (PCS) move.

Recently, changes were made to the program on how MSP's preference will be given. In order for MSP's to receive preference for employment opportunities, they must now apply online to vacancies and include their sponsor's PCS orders indicating dependence authorized, Marriage Certificate, resume, and the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist with each application.

South Carolina Job Outlook

The following companies are some of the major employers in the greater Columbia area:

• State of South Carolina
• Prisma Health
• BlueCross BlueShield of SC
• University of South Carolina
• United States Department of the Army
• Richland School District 1
• Richland School District 2
• Richland County
• City of Columbia
• Lexington Medical Center

Employment Services

Columbia offers many employment services for people relocating to the area or seeking a new position. Regional publications, television stations and local placement agencies will help assist in your job search. Government agencies and local chambers also offer employment programs and services for individuals in the area.

The Transition Assistance Program provides transition assistance to military personnel exiting the service. TAP is located at the Fort Jackson Continuing Education Center, Bldg.4600, Second Floor, Room A201. Front office number is 803-751-4109.

Call Army Community Service at 803-751-5256, option #3, for information about military spouse and dependent-children scholarships.

The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce is here to help you move from unemployment to reemployment. The goal is to match job seekers with employers quickly, efficiently and effectively. From unemployment insurance benefits to personalized reemployment services, SCDEW provide robust service to support South Carolina's labor force and economic development.

To get answers to any questions concerning unemployment insurance, contact SCDEW at 866-831-1724. You can also go online and apply for unemployment compensation. The South Carolina Security Commission Office is located on 700 Taylor Street.

The SC Job Outlook brochure, which can be found online, provides an overview of some of the most promising jobs in South Carolina. Unemployment Rate 4.2%. Median Household Income $66,818.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE Noncompetitive Appointing Authority

The Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointing Authority allows agencies to appoint certain military spouse without using traditional competitive examining procedures. Agencies can choose to use this authority when filling competitive service positions on a temporary (not to exceed 1 year), term (more than 1 year but not more than 4 years), or permanent basic. The authority does not entitle spouses to an appointment over any other applicant-it is used at the discretion of an agency.

Active Duty Spouse

In accordance with revised 5 U.S.C. 3330D (b), the head of an agency may now appoint noncompetitively: the spouse of a member of the armed forces on active duty, the spouse of a 100 percent disabled member of the armed forces, or the spouse of a deceased me

Active Duty Spouse

• Includes all spouses of members of the armed forces on active duty
• Spouse do not have to relocate with active duty spouse

How Do I Exercise MSP and Priority Status As A Military Spouse?

If you are interested in federal employment, start your search with USAJOBS.

To receive MSP and exercise priority status through the application process, you must:

Create a login.gov account to sign in to USAJOBS (first time users). Login.gov is a service that offers secure and private online access to government programs, such as Federal benefits, services, and applications.

Use the same email address for login.gov and USAJOBS.

Create a new password.

Have a working phone number (mobile or landline); login.gov will send a unique security code each time you sign into your account.

Create USAJOBS profile using the same email address for login.gov.

Create a new password for UASJOBS (first time users).

Build or post a resume to the USAJOBS profile.

Apply to the Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) for which interested and available.

You must meet all pre-employment criteria and be eligible for immediate noncompetitive appointment to position in the competitive service.

Upload essential documents, including:

Copy of your sponsor’s PCS orders.

Military Spouse Priority Place Program (PPP) Self-Certification Checklist (which must be included with each job application).

Marriage Certification/License.

Any other documents required by the JOA.

What Types of Positions Can I Apply For?

You Must meet all established Federal and Department of Defense (DoD) qualifications requirements.

You may include any or all DoD installations/organization within the commuting area of your sponsor’s new Permanent Duty Station (PDS).

You may apply for permanent as well as temporary/term positions (i.e. intermittent, seasonal or Non-Appropriated Funded (NAF) “flexible” schedules). There is no limit to the number of times you can exercise your MSP and priority placement for temporary and term positions.

In all cases when you apply for DoD positions as an MSP eligible, you must follow all instructions as required by the JOA. This process is necessary in order for the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) to determine if you rank among the best-qualified candidates for the position. The evaluation factors used to rank you are the same factors that apply to all of the competitive candidates. If you do not submit an application, you will not be considered for the position.