Employment

The Minot and western North Dakota areas have seen the oil fields come and go a couple of times throughout the years. At this time even though the fields are still pumping over 1M barrels of oil a day the need for workers is low. At this time it is uncertain if the oil companies will start hiring once again. If so some of those positions include roustabout, truck driver, electronic tech, seismic, crane operator, concrete finisher, mud logger and more. To view or apply for oil field jobs go to the website.

The following additional details apply to most oilfield positions:

• Most positions are labor intensive and involve outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Minimum age restrictions may be 18 or 21 years old.
• Drug testing is required in the hiring process and performed randomly on the job.
• Most positions require a valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Some require a commercial driver's license or the ability to acquire one.
• Company work schedules may vary e.g. 4 days on/4 days off 7 days on/7 days off 2 weeks on/1 week off with pay.
• Significant overtime hours may be available. It is important to check with the company regarding work schedules.
• In limited circumstances housing may be provided. Some companies provide a daily per diem for meals. 
  To view or apply for oil field jobs go to the website.

The North Dakota unemployment rate is 2.6% and has been consistently lower than the national rate. 

The M&FRC offers employment assistance through the Employment Assistance Program. The EAP was established to provide information, assistance and training to applicants enabling them to enter or re-enter the job market by giving directions on how and where to look for employment.

The EAP offers a free service to applicants and employers. Military spouses are a tremendous asset in business and volunteer work. They have a large degree of sophistication and flexibility due to travel and work experience. The talent, education, and experience levels vary from eager to learn volunteers to efficient managers.

Military Spouse Employment Partnership Program is active in this region. The program identified employers who have signed on to the program to hire military spouses in areas of portability or career progression positions.

The M&FRC can assist with:

• Career counseling and advising
• Resume/Application review and feedback
• Educational information
• Job leads on and off base
• Services are available to all active duty and retired personnel, their spouses and family members, and DOD civilians.

For job hunting purposes, be sure to hand carry all employments records and documents, resumes, OF 612, SF 171, SF 50, transcripts, certificates, licenses and remember your passwords to sites you have been using.

The enhanced content of the transition assistance program proposed by the Veterans Employment Initiative Task Force includes a fully integrated, outcome-based training program, referred to as Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success), which will evolve into the military life cycle TAP. Transition GPS provides each transitioning service member with a broad range of information, skills building and counseling services to strengthen their transition from military to civilian life and prepare them to succeed in the next phase of their lives.

In accordance with public law, TAP services will be made available to all eligible service members and their spouses, commencing up to 24 months prior to anticipated separation or anticipated retirement. TAP services will culminate with Capstone, which separating service members should attend 90 days prior to separation.

MyCAA

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

Unemployment compensation may be available for the spouse of a newly assigned military member or civilian employee.

For more information contact the Job Service.

The Volunteer Resource Program is a base-wide program designed to fully utilize and recognize the contributions of volunteers at Minot AFB. It creates a central base resource for volunteer recruitment, training and recognition. It was established in recognition of volunteerism as an integral part of our community. The intent of the VRP is to promote the spirit of volunteerism through assisting volunteer agencies in meeting their needs and helping individuals to find volunteer opportunities which best suit their personal interests or career goals.

Are you thinking of becoming a Minot AFB volunteer?

The M&FRC has information available on the following subjects:

• Volunteer opportunities on base and in the local community can be found at the 5th Force Support website. Call the contact number to volunteer or get more information.
• Relating volunteer experience to future paid employment.
• Selecting an agency and volunteer position.
• You will be assisted in reviewing your interests and matching them to an agency which can utilize and enhance your skills.

Employment in the local area is oriented towards the service, construction, retail, and trade industries. Local jobs are available in service areas such as fast foods, call centers, and retail sales. Experienced clerical workers who are computer literate will find good employment opportunities.

Employment

For job opportunities on base, visit the Minot Human Resource office website. For federal job opportunities visit USA JOBS website.  With the emphasis on the Bakken oil field, the surge in North Dakota's energy industry continues. The oilfield is seeking quality workers to meet the ever-growing demand. To view or apply for oil field jobs go to the website. The unemployment rate for Minot, North Dakota is 3.5% The median household income for Ward County is $59,029.

Air Force Wounded Warrior Support Services Program

The Air Force Wounded Warrior Support Services Program is the AF military severely injured program to assist combat-related ill/injured Airmen and their families in receiving world-class personnel services and support, extended transition assistance, and five-year case management follow-up. A&FRC staff will provide one-on-one consultation with the Airman and/or family representative for financial assessment, personal issues counseling, AF federal employment opportunities, VA benefits/DTAP counseling and more.

Standardized Tap Components

Each partner is committed to providing counseling, information, skills building and assistance to eligible separating, retiring and demobilizing/deactivating Service members and their eligible spouses. The redesigned TAP expands the original objectives to include making Service members career-ready prior to separation through mandatory and additional modules. This objective will be achieved by completing mandated pre-separation counseling, DOL Employment Workshop, Transition GPS Core Curriculum, VA Benefits Briefings I & II, Additional Training Tracks, and Capstone.

Transition GPS consists of the following components and is based on proof of the service member's ability to meet the Career Readiness Standards:

• Initial and Pre-separation Counseling 
• Transition GPS Core Curriculum, which consists of the following subcomponents:
  • Transition Overview
  • Resilient Transitions, which includes:
    • Special issues
    • Considerations for Families
    • Support systems
    • Value of a Mentor
    • Stress Management
  • Military Occupational Code Crosswalk
  • Financial Planning
• DOL Employment Workshop
• VA Benefits Briefings I and II 
• Additional Transition GPS Two-day Tracks:
  • Accessing Higher Education Track
  • Career Technical Training Track
  • Entrepreneurship Track
• Capstone

Career Readiness Standards: The focus of TAP is to enable eligible service members to meet certain career readiness standards as set forth by the Veterans Employment Initiative task force. The CRSs are tangible measures of a service member's preparedness for a civilian career.

Common CRS - ALL eligible service members shall show documented evidence of meeting the following:

• Completed Individual Transition Plan - ITP will document individual personal employment, higher education, career technical training, and/or entrepreneurship goals, actions and milestones
• Completed 12-month post separation budget
• Enrollment/Registration for an eBenefits online account
• Completed continuum of military service opportunity counseling Active Component only
• Evaluated transferability of military skills to the civilian workforce and completed gap analysis 
• Identify requirements and eligibility for certification, licensure, and apprenticeship in the desired potential career field
• Completed individual assessment tool to determine personal interests that will enable informed decision making regarding career selection
• Receipt of DOL Gold Card Certification for DOL American Job Centers
• Completed job application package OR received job offer letter. Package must include a private or public sector resume, personal and professional references, and at least two submitted job applications

Accessing Higher Education and Career Technical Training CRS - Eligible service members seeking higher education or career technical training shall show documented evidence of meeting the following:

• Completed individual assessment tool - assess aptitudes, interests, strengths, or skills to assist member to make decisions about selecting higher education and career technical training toward a desired future career field
• Completed comparison of higher education or career technical training institution options
• Completed application or received acceptance letter from a higher education or career technical training institution
• Confirmed one-on-one counseling with higher education or career technical training institution advisor via telephone, e-mail, or letter

Capstone - Mandatory Participation: Capstone is the culminating activity to verify whether service members have/have not met their Career Readiness Standards as outlined on the Service Member Career Readiness Standards/Individual Transition Plan Checklist, DD Form 2958. The checklist, in conjunction with the ITP, will be used by the A&FRC and the commander or commander's designee to verify status of CRS completion.

Capstone is required for ALL separating/retiring personnel and should occur no later than 90 days prior to anticipated separation/retirement; however, if a member has less than 90 days left in the military, the member should attend as soon as possible within their remaining period of service. In the case of demobilizing/deactivating Reserve Component members, Capstone shall occur no later than the date of separation on the DD Form 214. Although service members may participate in other Transition GPS activities as early as 12/24 months prior to separation/retirement, they may not complete Capstone any earlier than 120-150 days prior to separation.

Seminars, Workshops & Individual Appointments

Local Job Market Orientation: Individual assistance provides an overview of the area job market and information on positions that are currently open in the community and on base.

Federal Job Search: Individual assistance provides an overview of jobs in the federal government. Information on various hiring agencies is discussed along with procedures for applying for positions.

Resumes: Writing a resume is an in-depth process through which an individual examines his or her career goals, work history, and personal attributes. Individuals will gain a better understanding of the role of the resume in the employment process. They will also learn to create an effective resume and about various formats for this document. Interview workshops are held monthly.

Interviewing Skills: The job interview is the key that can unlock the door to employment. Answering an interviewer's questions with good, solid responses is important. Additionally, the individual interested in doing well should know how to prepare for an interview, how to create a good appearance, and how to follow-up on an interview. Interview workshops are held monthly.

Poor Prospects

Professional jobs are not in abundance and are very competitive.

Fair Prospects

There are a number of health care providers, hospital, clinics, and private practices in the city of Minot. People with skills in nursing and health specialty positions are often sought after by these facilities.