Employment

Army and Air Force Exchange Service

The AAFES offers a variety of job opportunities for youth 16 and older. Positions available include food service worker (Burger King, Baskin-Robins, Pizza Hut, Charley's, etc.), sales associate (base exchange, Shoppette, etc.), laborer, custodial worker and warehouse worker. AAFES jobs are listed at applymyexchange.com.

Non-Appropriated Funds

The 48 Force Support Squadron operates 25 non-appropriated funds facilities, including the fitness center, youth centers, dining establishments and clubs. Many of these facilities offer great entry-level and part-time opportunities well-suited to the needs of youth seeking employment.

DAF Summer Hire Program

A general employment program running from May to September for clerical, recreation aid (such as lifeguards), labor and engineering positions. The program allows high school, college and trade school students to explore federal careers while gaining hands-on work experience in various civilian roles. Funding for this program may vary from year to year. The Civilian Personnel Office at Royal Air Force Mildenhall (+44 1638 543540) will have information about program availability before the start of each summer. When available, opportunities are posted on USAJOBS.gov.

Like many other overseas locations, Royal Air Force Lakenheath is a challenging environment for spouses and family members seeking employment. It is not uncommon for applicants to wait six months or longer to gain a job that commensurate with their education and/or experience. The length of time spent unemployed varies with the applicant's skills, determination and timing. The job market is continually changing as people relocate into and out of the area.

The Royal Air Force Lakenheath Military and Family Readiness Center's Employment Assistance Program is designed to assist clients with developing their job search strategy to include self-assessment. Many spouses choose to use an overseas assignment as a time to work on developing new skills, knowledge or abilities. Opportunities for growth include paid employment, volunteerism and education.

For an up-to-date listing of available employment opportunities, please visit the center's Facebook page @ RAF Lakenheath Military & Family Readiness Center or schedule a visit to come in.

On-Base Employment

There are federal employment opportunities available throughout the base. If interested in applying for federal employment, the applicant must build an online resume through the USAJOBS website. Federal employment opportunities are only listed and available through this site.

Other employment opportunities exist on base with community banks, credit unions, AAFES, nonappropriated Funds, Defense Commissary Agency, Department of Defense Dependents Schools, area contractors and the concessionaires on Royal Air Force Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall.

Off-Base Employment

Command sponsored dependents of employable age are eligible for employment in the British economy under the Status of Forces Agreement. Dependents must be listed on the service members’ orders. A work permit is not necessary, however, a National Insurance number is needed and British taxes are withheld. Military dependents of working age that do not possess a visa are required to obtain a visa exemption vignette before working off base. Contact the Royal Air Force Lakenheath Passport office via email at 48fss.passports@us.af.mil. You must have a National Insurance number and visa exemption vignette before starting work. Many positions are in retail or blue-collar employment. To obtain higher paying professional positions, individuals may have to seek employment in Cambridge, which is approximately 45 minutes from the base.

Online resources for finding off-base employment:

• Universal Job Match
• Suffolk County Council Jobs
• Job Search - Find 138,822 UK jobs on CV-Library

Please hand carry the following items with you (do not pack them in your household goods shipment):

• Current resumes
• Professional copies of licenses
• Academic transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Clothes suitable for job-hunting and interviewing
• Your Social Security card (not laminated)
• Past performance evaluations
• Any data storage devices (i.e., thumb drive, compact disk, etc.) that you have used for job-search correspondence in the past