Employment

Local Economic Climate

Aside from the significant military presence, San Diego has large aerospace, electronic and shipbuilding industries, and is an increasingly important center for biomedical research and oceanography. It is also a major distributing and processing point for the highly productive Imperial Valley agricultural area to the east.

Aboard the Depot

The best source for information and assistance, special instruction, and referral with regards to employment opportunities aboard the base or in the local government or civilian sector is the Marine and Family Programs' Career Resource Management Center (CRMC). The CRMC provides information and assistance to help military service members, their family members, retirees, and DoD civilian employees with their job search. We provide a variety of resources such as a resource library, computer work stations, fax service and job listings. CRMC also provides basic employment assistance, career planning, resume writing, salary negotiations, interview techniques, guidance on the federal employment application process and other employment initiatives available for military spouses and family members. The services are free.

Among the most popular events sponsored and coordinated through the CRMC are the Job Fairs. Throughout the year the CRMC will host either general or theme-oriented job fairs, such as law enforcement, general industry, etc.

Family Member Employment Assistance Program (FMEAP)

Family Member Employment Assistance Program (FMEAP) provides assistance to Active Duty military family members (reservists, retirees, and civilians, if space is available) to help them achieve their personal and professional goals through employment, education, or volunteerism.

FMEAP Employment Specialist assist with:

• Career advising and coaching
• Education, Entrepreneurial & Training Resources
• Individual Career Assessment & Planning
• Interviewing Skills
• Job Search Strategies
• MilSpouse Career Connections
• Resume Assistance
• Salary Negotiations
• Volunteer & Skills Development

FMEAP also offers the following Career Workshops:

            MilSpouse Virtual & Work from Home Opportunities – learn how to take charge of your career. Take your career with you as you PCS, discuss the pros and cons of working from home and how to get started.

            LinkedIn – learn how to successfully use the power of social networking to boost job search, build online professional brand, utilize LinkedIn as part of job search strategy, and leverage social network to connect to next opportunity.

            MilSpouse Career Connection – ready to enter or return to the workforce but not sure where to start? This workshop is designed to get quickly connected and on your way to your next employment strategy. Get connected with other military spouses as you learn about in-demand careers, employment resources, military spouse hiring initiatives, effective networking techniques.

Although small, employment opportunities do exist in the form of civilian government positions, non-appropriated fund jobs (NAF), and some contract positions. Civil Service positions are advertised through the Depot's Civil Service Human Resources Office website and NAF jobs are posted at the Depot's Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) website. Contract positions are section-specific and inquiry about these jobs should be initiated through the Civil Service HRO.

Transition Readiness Seminar

Transition assistance services provide separating Marines and their families with the skills, tools, resources and education necessary to make successful transition into the civilian workforce. TRS is also intended to improve individual quality of life, enhance personal and family readiness and return solid citizens to the civilian community. Participants must be registered by their unit transition coordinator. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend but are required to reserve their spot in advance.

The following transition tracks are designed to help prepare those leaving military service for the civilian sector or for other government agency employment:

• Boots to Business Track – TRS is a prerequisite to attend this entrepreneur track. Formulate an awareness of business basics to enhance future business planning efforts. This two-day intensive training workshop is offered in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Accessing Higher Education Track – Receive guidance to prepare for the college application process including identifying educational goals, funding availabilities, scholarship opportunities and researching and comparing educational institutions.TRS is a prerequisite to attend.
• Career Exploration and Planning Track – This two-day workshop is centered on career exploration and development. Service members take two excellent online assessments to discover their career interests and aptitudes (natural skills and talents). Students receive detailed reports of recommended careers which match both their interests and natural abilities. They are guided to interpret their reports and to utilize several tools to develop an individual career plan. TRS is not required to attend CEPT.
• Employment Tract – This workshop is offered during TRS week.

Identification requirements for applying for various jobs differs depending on several factors including agency/company function, security level and travel associated with position. Transcripts, references, Social Security registration and proof of citizenship, legal residency or alien status may be required. In some cases, a history of residency may be requested. Some positions may also require a background check.

Contact the Family Member Employment Program specialist at 619-524-8640 and the staff of Career Resource Management Center at 619-524-0035 for further guidance on required employment documentations, including those requirements for federal jobs. Lifelong Learning Education and Military OneSource can provide direction and resources in assisting active-duty spouses who need to authenticate their foreign educational achievements for employment purposes.

Tuition assistance is available to all active-duty service members at 100% of the cost of tuition up to an annual cap of $4,500 per fiscal year.

Higher Education Program

Prior to being approved for tuition assistance, it is mandatory that all Marines complete the HEP online course. Marines at remote locations may complete the training online, print the completion certificate, sign it and provide a copy to the Lifelong Learning Center for entry into your student record.

Tuition Assistance Orientation Training

The Tuition Assistance Orientation Training provides the basis of paying for college while on active duty and establishing an undergraduate knowledge base necessary for successful college admissions and academics. Participants will learn:

• Why degree planning is important to college funding success and degree attainment
• How to build skills through the Online Academic Skills Course to help check knowledge and increase testing scores for college placement exams, Army Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and general technical scores.
• The benefits of the Joint Services Transcript and College-Level Examination Program

Complete the HEP online course or contact MCRD Education Office Bldg 111 at (619)524-1275 to sign up College 101 prior to attending training. Training is open to Marines and family members.

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. Please visit the MyCAA webpage for more information.

Contact the Career Resource Management Center and the Lifelong Learning Education Center at 619-524-1275 or 619-524-8158 for additional information regarding availability of tuition assistance for service members, spouses and authorized dependents.

Unemployment compensation may be available for the spouse of a newly assigned military member or civilian employee. For more information please contact the California Employment Development Department or visit the Depot's Family Member Employment Assistance Program Specialist to receive assistance and guidance in filing for unemployment insurance compensation. The FMEAP Specialist is located at Building 14 Personal & Professional Development in the Career Resource Management Center (CRMC).

The Career Resource Management Center provides military personnel and their family members guidance, counseling and assistance in exploring their options for civilian employment. Aside from the significant military presence, San Diego has large aerospace, electronic and shipbuilding industries and is an increasingly important center for biomedical research and oceanography. It is also a major distributing and processing point for the highly productive Imperial Valley agricultural area to the east. Aboard the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, employment opportunities exist in the form of civilian government positions, non-appropriated fund (NAF) jobs and some contract positions. Civil service positions are advertised through the federal government’s official USAJOBS website, and NAF jobs are posted at the Depot's Marine Corps Community Services website. For more information, the Career Resource Management Center can be reached at 619-524-1283 or 619-524-0035.