Employment

For military members and their families, frequent relocation requires frequent job searches. The key to salary success is to be prepared because failing to prepare will cost you money.

Accurately identifying your worth in any employment marketplace can depend on three important factors:

• Location
• Profession
• Experience

Area jobs include government, contract jobs and service industry positions. The minimum wage for the state of New Jersey is $15.49 per hour as of January 2025 (nj.gov). The Monmouth County unemployment rate is approximately 4.2%.

Area job postings include retail salespersons, cashiers, waiters and waitresses. Higher-skilled and higher paying occupations such as teachers, registered nurse, managers, carpenters and accountants are in demand. Occupations in health services and social assistance fields make up the majority of the occupations with most growth. Current labor market info can be found at: monfacts.pdf (nj.gov).

For federal employment opportunities on base installations in the area, please go to the USAJOBS - The Federal Government's official employment site for a list of job openings. The Nonappropriated Fund Human Resources Department is the starting block for NAF job opportunities on base. There are limited job openings at Naval Weapons Station Earle. Contact the Fleet and Family Support Center employment specialist at 732-866-2115 for current job openings in the local community.

Naval Weapons Station Earle employs over 400 civilian employees in the clerical, administrative, industrial, law enforcement and professional fields. Due to the Department of Defense hiring restrictions, employment opportunities are limited.

NJ Civil Service Opportunities can be found at NJCSC - Job Announcements (state.nj.us) The New Jersey Civil Service Commission updates this page daily. Note the closing date for submitting applications. If the announcement is opened to residents of more than one jurisdiction, the eligible list will be ranked according to that sequence.

New Jersey One-Stop Career Centers

Whether you have lost your job or are looking for your next promotion, the New Jersey One-Stop Career Centers are the place to start. You can visit a One-Stop Career Center located throughout New Jersey, One-Stop Career Centers offer services (free of charge) to help you develop the skills needed to succeed in a 21st century work environment. New Jersey's One-Stop Career Centers are staffed with qualified professionals who can assist with obtaining employment or the training you need to meet the demands of our present workforce. Employment counselors can help explore career choices relating to your interests and abilities and will help you explore occupations that best utilize your skills in the current job market.

The One-Stop Career Centers also offer educational training programs in vocational and trade schools or on-site at the One-Stop Career Center, on-the-job training with local employers and apprenticeships in many fields. In addition, Job Search Readiness Workshops provide information on how to successfully look for a job, conduct yourself in an interview, write a resume or learn about the local labor market. For details go to: Career Services | One-Stop Career Centers (nj.gov).

Use our computers, phones, photocopiers and fax machines to aid your job search. Career services including resume writing, interview techniques, apprenticeship opportunities and training grants. Search our online job listing or attend a job fair. We also provide priority service to veterans during their job search.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has employment assistance services for persons with disabilities or those needing to change careers due to injury. They also offer an employment program for graduating high school students with disabilities. EFMP families and those needing to change fields can get more information at Career Services | Vocational Rehabilitation Services (nj.gov).

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 PCS overseas and you accompany him/her. To apply for MSP, you must follow the procedures as outlined by the servicing DOD 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. MSP 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 noncontinuing (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 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

Additional Spouse Employment, Career Training and Education information can be found on the Military Spouse Education & Career Opportunities | MySECO (militaryonesource.mil) and Military Spouse Employment Partnership Job Search | MSEP | MySECO (militaryonesource.mil).

Please contact YOUR Fleet and Family Support Center at 732-866-2115.

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. Computers, printers, copiers and scanners are available in the Fleet and Family Support Center Career Resource Center for use for printing, faxing and scanning for employment purposes.

YOUR FFSC 732-866-2115

Fleet and Family Support Centers

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

The Family Employment Assistance Program and the Transition Assistance Program located at NWS Earle targets military spouses and retiring/ separating military personnel. There are four basic classes offered, which aid in the development of career/educational goals. The classes include:

• Resume Writing/Cover Letters: Focuses on resume development, soliciting letters of recommendation, cover letters and thank you letters.
• Interviewing Techniques: 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: Provides basic knowledge of the use of computers and how to navigate the internet online job banks, newspaper, and networking to locate federal, local, and out of state job listings and how to apply for employment.

The Transition Assistance Program includes Transition Assistance Programs for military personnel that are separating or retiring from the service. Classes offered are: TGPS 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 TAD orders.

There are also several additional employment resources for retirees/separating military. In September 2004 the Home Depot partnered with the U.S. Department 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 Fleet and Family Support Center. For more information contact FFSC at 732-866-2115.

Personnel separating or retiring and military spouses may be eligible for unemployment benefits in the state of New Jersey. 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 working less and 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 Jersey Unemployment Insurance. You may also contact the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development for more information.

Naval Weapons Station Earle employs over 400 civilian employees in the clerical, administrative, industrial, law enforcement and professional fields. Due to the Department of Defense hiring restrictions, employment opportunities are limited.

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.

Also, New Jersey students enrolled in any one of the State's 18 county colleges may be eligible for tuition-free college. The New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) may cover the cost of FULL TUITION and approved educational FEES for qualified students for 6-18 credits after all other federal, state, institutional and community aid have been applied.

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.