Employment

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.

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 Manager. Visit USAJOBS to see what documents you may need to provide.

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at NAS Patuxent River provides information and training to ensure Service Members leaving active duty are prepared for their next step in life, whether pursuing additional education, finding employment in the public or private sector, or starting their own business.

TAP has Five Key components:

1. Mandatory initial counseling / self-assessment to be completed 365 days or more prior to release from active duty.

• Assignment to at least one of three pathways: Tier I, Tier II or Tier III
  • Note: The Tier assignment mandates the required Career Readiness Standards (CRS) a service member will be required to complete

2. Mandatory Pre-Separation counseling at least 365 days or more prior to release from active duty.

3. Mandatory TAP Core Curriculum:

• Attendance at: DOD Transition Day, which includes Pre-Sep Counseling, My Transition, Military Occupation Code Crosswalk, and Financial Planning
• Veterans Administration benefits and service brief
• Department of Labor (DoL) one-day Employment Workshop

4. Selection of a Two-Day Track:

• Department of Labor Employment Workshop (DOLEW)
• My Education
• Vocational Training Track (formerly Career Exploration and Planning Track)
• Boots to Business

5. Mandatory CAPSTONE event.

• Must be completed no later than 90 days prior to separation to verify you have met ALL Career Readiness Standards (CRS)
• Self-Assessment / Individual Transition Plan
• Post-transition Financial Plan
• eBenefits registration
• Continuum of Military Service brief (AC only)
• Gap analysis or verification of employment
• Completed resume or provide verification of employment (based on track selected)
• Comparison of Technical Institutions (based on track selected)
• Comparison of Colleges / Universities (based on track selected)

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

Visit the Maryland Department of Labor to learn more about filing an unemployment insurance benefits claim in Maryland.