Employment

The minimum wage for upstate New York is $14.20 per hour. Capital Region unemployment rate is approximately 2.3%.

Jobs are typically lower paying in this area, ranging from $7.25 to $18.18 median hourly wage. Included are jobs such as retail salespersons, cashiers and waiters and waitresses. Higher-skilled and higher-paying occupations such as teachers, registered nurse, managers, carpenters, and accountants will have a substantial number of job openings.

Occupations in hi-tech, education, and health services fields make up the majority of the occupations with the most growth. Most jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree or more pay above $30 an hour.

For federal employment opportunities on base installations in the area, please go to the USAJOBS website for a list of job openings. The Non-appropriated Fund Human Resources Department is the starting block for NAF job opportunities on base. There are limited job openings at Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs. Contact the Fleet and Family Support Center employment specialist at
 

Whether you have lost your job or are looking for your next promotion, the New York State Department of Labor can help you with your job search. You can visit a One-Stop Career Center and speak with staff about our career services, including resume writing, interview techniques, apprenticeship opportunities and training grants. Search our online job listings or attend a job fair. Not sure about your next career move? Check out Career Zone where you can research occupations and Job Zone where you can post customized resumes in our Job Portfolio. We also provide priority service to veterans during their job search.

Saratoga County - Saratoga-Warren-Washington Counties – full-service office:

• Saratoga County Employment and Training
• 152 West High St.
• Ballston Spa, New York 12020

Call us at 518-884-4170 or fax 518-884-4262. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free and located adjacent to the building. Public transit access by bus is available.

Military Spouse Preference Program for Overseas Assignments

You are eligible for Military Spouse Preference if you are the spouse of an active-duty military member who makes a permanent change of station move overseas and you accompany him/her. To apply for MSP, you must follow the procedures as outlined by the servicing Department of Defense Human Resources Office and you must have been married prior to the move and be listed on the orders as a dependent. You must also be among the most qualified for the position. Military service pay positions apply to appropriated fund vacancies that are filled competitively for U.S. citizen occupancy. Preference also applies to some NAF positions. You will be referred for positions using your MSP until such time as you accept or decline a position. In addition, you may accept or decline an unlimited number of non-continuing temporary positions without loss of your MSP. For more information on MSP, contact the Family Employment Readiness Program at the top of this page, the nearest DOD Human Resources Office or the NAF Human Resources Office at your overseas installation.

Your installation spouse employment counselor can help you with:

• Employment prospects in the new location
• Preparing a new resume
• Obtaining job search materials
• Information on training and education
• Obtaining a listing of current job openings
• Learning about unemployment compensation

Employment Documentation

For job-hunting purposes, it is important and may be necessary to hand carry employment records and documents, including current civilian and federal resumes, transcripts, certificates and licenses, as applicable.

Unemployment Benefits

Personnel separating or retiring and military spouses may be eligible for unemployment benefits in the state of New York. However, not every state offers unemployment insurance to military spouses. Please check with the state you are relocating from to find out if you are eligible for unemployment benefits. When you are unemployed or are working less than full time, and are ready, willing, and able to work, you may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits. The Unemployment Insurance Program provides weekly unemployment insurance payments for workers who lose their job through no fault of their own. The amount for benefits available is based on the claimant's earnings in the base period. Refer to the New State Unemployment Insurance Benefits online.

Transition Assistance

Fleet and Family Support Center

Fleet and Family Support Center has an incredible Transition Assistance Management Program and Family Employment Readiness Program department. TAMP and FERP offer information on New York employment, an employment library, job fair information, mock interviews, job listings and resume writing.

The FERP and the TAMP in Saratoga Springs targets military spouses and retiring/separating military personnel. There are four basic classes that aid in the development of career/educational goals offered.

The classes are:

• Resume Writing: This focuses on resume development, soliciting letters of recommendation and thank-you letters.
• Interviewing Techniques: This is designed to provide information on how to effectively present yourself before, during and after an interview. You will gain information on appropriate attire, common interview questions and effective responses.
• Finding Federal Employment: The course provides information on obtaining vacancy announcements, completing federal applications, distinguishing who can apply, hiring authorities, eligibility and hiring preference.
• Job search strategies: This class provides basic knowledge on the use of computers and how to navigate online job banks, newspapers and networking to locate federal, local, and out-of-state job listings, and how to apply for employment.

The TAMP includes Transition Assistance Programs for military personnel who are separating or retiring from the service. Classes offered are TAP any personnel separating. Retirees may attend classes up to 24 months prior to retirement and separating personnel may attend classes 12 months prior to separating. Spouses are also encouraged to attend the seminar. For enrollment, you should contact your command career counselor, complete a pre-separation counseling checklist and request no-cost temporary additional duty orders.

There are also several additional employment resources for retirees/separating military. In September 2004 the Home Depot partnered with the U.S. departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs to provide career opportunities for interested members of the military community. The initiative, Operation Career Front, is intended to support job seekers to include veterans, separating, active-duty service members, guardsmen, reservists and military spouses.

Military personnel and family members may also find employment assistance through various companies that are "military friendly" and frequently place exiting military personnel with civilian companies.

Additional resources include libraries, computer access, copy machines, fax machines, tutorial programs and employment opportunities at the FFSC. For more information, contact FFSC at 518-886-0200, ext. 142.

Service members Opportunity Colleges Consortium colleges and universities are dedicated to helping service members and their families get college degrees. Military students can take courses in their off-duty hours at or near military installations in the U.S., overseas and on Navy ships.

Many universities offer two tuition rates, in-state and out-of-state, giving a financial break to the residents of that state. However, military families are often not residents in the state where they live but keep a permanent home of record elsewhere. Some states recognize this extraordinary circumstance and allow military family members to pay the in-state tuition rate. Others do so with some restrictions, and some require out-of-state tuition.

My Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program

For information on My Career Advancement Account Scholarship program and Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities, visit Military OneSource.