Employment

The Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) is designed to provide assistance, information and referral on employment and educational resources and opportunities.  FERP provides assistance to family members of military personnel, active and retired and relocating Civil Service personnel. Services include career assistance workshops and individual appointments, listings for on and off base opportunities and information and assistance accessing DoD spouse employment services.

To start your job search off on the right foot and get the job you want requires planning, tapping into resources and networking. Job search preparation should begin before you arrive. Searching the web, résumé writing, gathering certifications and collecting reference letters are all things to do well in advance of your move. Knowing what you have to offer and identifying employers that are hiring will shorten your job search. The Fleet and Family Support Center’s Family Employment Readiness Program manager can assist you to prepare targeted résumés, interesting cover letters and show you how to find labor market information.

There are various employment opportunities within commuting distance of Kings Bay. Geographically, Kings Bay lies within the town of St. Marys, Camden County, Georgia. Camden County has three small towns including St. Marys and Kingsland, which share borders. Woodbine, the county seat, is located about 14 miles north of Kings Bay. Think of St. Marys, Kingsland, Woodbine and Kings Bay as neighborhoods in Camden County. Kings Bay is less than 10 miles from the Georgia-Florida border. The resort towns of Brunswick, St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island, Glynn County, Georgia sit approximately 38 miles north of Kings Bay. Yulee, Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach are quaint Florida towns located a short distance south of Camden County. Jacksonville, Florida is the closest metropolitan area and accessed quickly by Interstate I-95.

Employment opportunities commonly found by military spouses in Camden County are in the health care, administrative/clerical, customer service, childcare, human resources, banking, accounting, real estate, retail, food service, custodial, management, security and hospitality industries. Most establishments are small business enterprises. The largest employers include Southeast Georgia Health System, Camden County Board of Education and Wal-Mart.

Naval Submarine Base has several employers, including the Department of the Navy, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Navy Exchange and the commissary. Contractors and subcontractors offer employment opportunities in facilities/grounds maintenance, security, retail clerks, food service, custodial work, skilled trades (technical/industrial) and administrative positions. Clerical and medical positions are limited and highly competitive. Most applications are available online.

Don’t discount federal employment!  As a military spouse you are eligible to apply for certain jobs that the public may not be eligible for which means less competition.  You may also be eligible to claim military spouse preference.

Your skills and specialized experience as a military spouse will be an asset to small businesses, federal contractors, county and city municipalities and the United States government.

Managing Your Navy Career Options (MY NCO)

MY NCO is a two-day class designed to assist sailors in assessing their naval careers and personal goals. Course topics include a self-assessment of their skills, developing personal interests, personal financial planning, Navy career options and civilian career planning.

The Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) is designed to provide assistance, information and referral on employment and educational resources and opportunities.  FERP provides assistance to family members of military personnel, active and retired and relocating Civil Service personnel. Services include career assistance workshops and individual appointments, listings for on and off base opportunities and information and assistance accessing DoD spouse employment services

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides a wide-array of services and opportunities to Service Members and their families while preparing to transition out of the military. This program provides extensive tools, education and the support needed for a successful transition from military service to the civilian community including classroom instruction, individual counseling on career assessment, job search techniques, resume writing and interviewing skills. 2-day workshops and Capstone Event are major elements designed to assist Service Members and their families in developing their Individual Transition Plan. 

Effective with NAVADMIN 214/21 and ALNAV 004/21.

2 year requirement before Sailor’s can use Tuition Assistance. (CAN NOT be waived)

TA and NCPACE will be limited to a fiscal year cap of 18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or 270 clock hours (or combination). The fiscal year cap applies to both TA and NCPACE combined.

Payment for tuition will not exceed the following caps:

• $250.00 per semester hour
• $166.67 per quarter hour
• $16.67 per clock hour (for approved certificate/diploma programs only)

TA and NCPACE will be limited to a lifetime cap of 120 semester hours, 180 quarter hours, 1800 clock hours (or combination). The lifetime credit cap applies to both TA and NCPACE combined.

For questions regarding eligibility, degree plans or other education funding options, contact Navy College Virtual Education Center at 877-838-1659/DSN 492-4684 or via MyNavy Portal at https://my.navy.mil/quick-links.html.

MyCAA

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

Highly trained professionals at the Department of Labor provide individual job-search assistance and career counseling to the public and all military veterans. Services include job listings, job search workshops and a variety of self-help resources online. The agency also administers the unemployment insurance program.

Over 500 Military Spouse Employment Partners (MSEP) are committed to hiring and promoting military spouses in jobs that provide meaningful and lasting employment.   Many of these employers offer portable, work from home or remote opportunities, too.  To learn more about these military-friendly employers visit https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil.

The Department of the Navy is dedicated to supporting families and provides resources and advocacy for spouse employment through the Military Spouse Licensure Reimbursement program.  Service members are entitled to reimbursement (up to $1000 per move) for their spouse’s state licensure and certification expenses arising from relocation to another state due to permanent change of station (PCS) or permanent change of assignment (PCA). Visit https://go.usa.gov/xy8mb for more information.

Comprehensive career coaching services are available to military spouses through the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program.   Career coaches at the career center work with military spouses at no charge.  SECO offers employment resources such as educational plans/MyCAA scholarships, On Demand Résumé Review and Job Search Navigator.  Coaching and other services are available through the Military OneSource Spouse Career Center at 800.342.9647 and through the MySECO website https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil.