Employment

Much of the employment in the local Indian Head community centers around Department of Defense contractors who provide engineering, program management, system engineering, software development and computer and administrative support to the Naval Surface Warfare Division. These contractors recruit people with strong skills and experience in the fields of science, technology, research and computers.

There are more diverse employment options in La Plata, Maryland (approximately 22 minutes away), Waldorf, Maryland (approximately 28 minutes away) or Washington, D.C. (approximately 45 minutes away). Many employment opportunities in sales, medical, teaching, retail, clerical, computer science, customer service and food service exist in those locations.

Some of the on-base job opportunities for Naval Support Facility Indian Head can be found on the following websites: 

• Morale, Welfare and Recreation
• USAJOBS

Remote, teleworking employment opportunities are available as well.

For job-hunting purposes, be sure to hand carry school transcripts and an updated resume. Keep a hard copy of names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references, professional certificates, special awards or honors, letters of recommendation and any volunteer career information.

The Fleet and Family Support Center employment counselor is an excellent resource for your job search. The Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) counselor can assist you in establishing career goals and objectives, help you to locate employment training and education opportunities, and also assist you in developing and refining your resume. The counselor can direct you to job leads and help you to develop your job interviewing skills. If you plan on seeking employment when you relocate, be sure to bring all your employment records, resumes, school transcripts, certificates and any federal employment records you may have with you.

Please contact the main office for the Fleet and Family Support Center at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren at 800-500-4947 or 540-653-1839, to schedule an appointment. FFSC Dahlgren hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. FFSC Indian Head hours are Wednesday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

If you are a foreign-born spouse coming from an overseas location and you have education transcripts and employment documentation that are not in English, it is advisable to have those documents translated into English prior to your arrival at Indian Head. For more information on translation services visit: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/interactive-tools-services/language-services/

Or call: 540-653-1839 to speak to the FFSC Family Employment Readiness Program Coordinator for spouse employment opportunities.

The Fleet and Family Support Center transition manager can assist active-duty military members considering retirement or separation with employment readiness assistance. The Transition Assistance Management Program provides job search assistance, resume reviews, interviewing techniques, job listings access and quarterly Transition Assistance Program enrollment.

Online classes are now available to service members who are separating or retiring from the military. Please contact the FFSC to sign up at 540-653-1839 or at 800-500-4947.

MyCAA

For information visit MyCAA and Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities. Or visit https://www.militaryonesource.mil/. There are several online bridge training opportunities. Please contact the Family Employment Readiness Program Manager for assistance. 540-653-1839

If you are considering applying for unemployment benefits, contact your losing state unemployment benefits representative for the appropriate paperwork. When you resign your position, include a statement to the effect that you are resigning to accompany your military spouse on their permanent change of station assignment.

As of January 1, 2023, Maryland's minimum wage increased from $12.50 to $13.25 an hour while the federally-mandated minimum wage remained at $7.25 an hour. The minimum wage in Maryland is scheduled to reach $14.00 on January 1, 2024. For tipped employees, the Maryland minimum cash-wage is $3.63 an hour, though this amount plus tips must at least equal Maryland's Minimum Wage Rate.

Employment

Much of the employment in the local Indian Head community centers around Department of Defense contractors who provide engineering, support, program management, system engineering, software development, computer and administrative support to the Naval Surface Warfare Division. In April 2023, Maryland's unemployment rate fell from 2.7% to 2.5%, while the national rate dropped from 3.5% to 3.4% The median household income is $93,547 in the northern Virginia – Washington metro area.