Employment

The local job market wages are lower than many areas because of the desirable quality of living in this coastal area and a large number of retired military who live here. Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base, Duke Field, and the 7th SFG are the county's largest employers.

Other major employment industries are Defense contractors and the Service Industry (hotels, motels, restaurants, and fast food) which is seasonal, with low demand in the winter months and high demand beginning each March.

Please, call Military & Family Readiness Center at 850-884-5441/5442 for additional inquiries Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For job hunting purposes, be sure to hand carry (during PCS season/Civilian Relocation) all employment records and documents, resumes, SF 171, SF 50, transcripts, certificates, licenses, picture ID, social security card, a copy of your driving record, and proof of auto insurance.

Please, call M&FRC for additional inquiries at 850-884-5441/5442, Mon - Fri, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm.

CLOSED: Sat-Sun and Holidays

MyCAA

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

Please, call M&FRC at 850-884-5441/5442, Mon - Fri, 7:30 am- 4:00 pm.

CLOSED: Sat - Sun and Holidays.

The Reemployment Assistance (RA) program provides temporary financial assistance to eligible workers during periods of unemployment. The Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program is designed to address the reemployment needs of RA claimants.

Individuals filing RA claims maybe selected to participate in the state's RESEA program. Participants are made aware of and referred to a variety of available reemployment services. If selected for participation, claimants are notified via U.S. mail of a mandatory appointment at their local career center and provided these services:

• Orientation - Information regarding the services available to claimants at the career center.
• Initial Assessment - A one-on-one interview with a career center job counselor that provides an initial analysis of the claimant's strengths, weaknesses, barriers, employment history, education, etc.
• Labor Market Information (LMI) - An analysis of the labor market that is unique to the claimant's desired occupation and location, experiences, and skills.  The aim is for the claimant to recognize trends in his/her desired occupation and determine whether it is worth pursuing based on growth or decline in that area, or if it would be better to seek training for another field with a better occupational outlook.
• Employability Development Plan (EDP) - A thorough, complete plan of action for the claimant that incorporates information gathered from the initial assessment and LMI to determine what the next step should be in finding employment or recommending training. The EDP sets out specific steps for the claimant to follow upon leaving the career center.
• Work Search Activities - Claimants are referred to any additional activities relevant to the results of their initial assessments such as counseling, resume writing, job search workshop, referrals to education and/or training.

For specific information concerning documents needed to file a claim, contact CareerSource, 409 Racetrack Rd NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547, 850-833-9106.

The unemployment rate in Florida is 2.6% as of May 2023 the rate in Okaloosa County is 2.2% as of May 2023.

Unemployment compensation may be available for the spouse of a newly assigned military member or civilian employee. For more information contact CareerSource 409 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach FL 32547 or call 850-833-9106.