Employment

According to Comptroller Brooke Lierman's Inaugural State of the Economy Report from January 2024, the federal government is a top employer in Maryland. It is among the top ten industries in Maryland by share of total employment and is a sector that added jobs in Maryland during the pandemic, providing relative job security and wage stability. Maryland is home to more than 60 federal agencies and 14 military installations. The federal government also supports an ecosystem of private sector suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors in Maryland. Federal procurement provided a $42 billion investment in Maryland businesses in 2022, which represented 10% of the state’s GDP.

Southern Maryland's workforce is highly skilled and technically oriented. Major employers include federal, state and local governments, private Department of Defense related contractors as well as non-defense companies. The largest employment concentration in the county is in and around the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and the neighboring Lexington Park area.

To search and apply for local federal jobs, visit USAJOBS.gov.

Another excellent local resource is the Southern Maryland JobSource, a partnership with local workforce development agencies, that provides a full range of assistance to job seekers and businesses. 

Connect with Fleet & Family's Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) Coordinator at 301-342-4911 to assist with all things job related. 

Be sure to bring all employment records and information, resumes, transcripts, SF 171s, SF 50s, certificates and licenses when meeting with Fleet & Family's Family Employment Readiness Program Coordinator. Visit USAJOBS.gov to see what documents you may need to provide. 

Transition Assistance Program Workshop is one of the best in the Navy. The three- and five-day seminars offer vital information and skill-building opportunities for separating and retiring military members and their spouses. One of the highlights of this program is an after-hours networking event with local employers. Active duty and family members can also call the Fleet and Family Support Center to schedule an individual appointment with either the Transition Assistance Program manager or the Family Employment Readiness Program manager to discuss employment opportunities and review resume drafts. A Computer Resource Room with internet access is available for your use on a walk-in basis. Local non-appropriated funds, state, federal and private company job announcements are posted in the Resource Room as well. Call the FFSC at 301-342-4911 or DSN 312-342-4911 for assistance or more information.

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

Maryland permits Maryland's citizens to file initial claims for Unemployment Insurance via the Internet each time they become unemployed unless they fall under the following situations:

• You do not live in Maryland unless all your wages during the last 18 months were earned in Maryland.
• You earned no wages in Maryland in the last 18 months
• You worked for the Federal Government in the last 18 months
• You are filing for a federally funded Extension of Benefits.

If you fall under any of the situations outlined above, then you must file over the telephone. All Claim Centers take claims by telephone only every Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays from 8 a.m. ET until 3 p.m. ET.  Please file your claim in the claim center located closest to your home. Only one claim is filed for each period of unemployment. After your initial claim is established, you must file your continued claims (requests for checks) on a biweekly basis. These continued claims requests for checks may be filed over the telephone (Telecert) or via the Internet (Webcert). You can find out more about filing biweekly continued claims (requests for checks) and your responsibilities while filing for Unemployment Insurance by reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions or in the pamphlet, "What You Should Know about Unemployment Insurance in Maryland" that will be sent to you after you file your initial claim for benefits. The website to obtain on-line information for unemployment benefits can be found at this website.