Employment

Most employment opportunities available to U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal family members are in Southfield, Troy, Sterling Heights, Auburn Hills and Detroit. Recent unemployment rates in Michigan range from 22.7% to 21.6% in metro Detroit, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Metro Detroit has the second highest unemployment rate nationally. The area’s relatively low salaries and the fierce job competition due to the high unemployment rate generally make prospects for finding a job in the local area challenging.

The median hourly rates for some area jobs are: administrative assistants ($14.82 for most; legal administrative assistants average $20.13 per hour and medical administrative assistants average $14.37), lawyers ($46.38), technical writers ($27.93), customer service representatives ($14.91), procurement clerks ($16.57), stock clerks in stockrooms, warehouses or storage yards ($10.56), wait staff ($7.48), short-order cooks ($8.83), budget analysts ($30.48) and computer support specialists ($19.93).

Warren offers the largest number of federal job opportunities. Executive Order 13473 (73 Federal Register 56703), signed by President Bush in September 2008 and effective 15 September 2009, allows all federal agencies to hire qualified military spouses without going through the competitive process. Military spouses still have to apply and be qualified for the job. This proposal creates a pool of military spouse applicants from which agencies may make noncompetitive selections, if they choose to do so.

Full-time K-12 teaching positions are not readily available. Individuals with teacher certifications from other states often substitute teach. Substitute pay averages $70 per day in public schools. You must register with the State Board of Education to substitute teach in any Michigan school.

Many family members find employment with national and local no-fee employment agencies. The Employment Readiness Program provides guidance, job search skills, training and job search assistance.

There are limited nonappropriated fund jobs on the installation. Contact Army Community Service for further information. The commissary and exchange are located at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, about 15 miles from the installation. Applications for commissary jobs may be submitted through the USAJOBS website. The exchange lists its job openings online. For Army Spouse Employment Program job partners and other local private employer job listings, visit the Detroit Arsenal Morale, Welfare and Recreation website. This website also lists many articles for updating job search skills.

For job hunting purposes, hand carry all employment records and documents, resumes, optional form 612s, standard form 50s, transcripts, certificates and licenses. Also, visiting the local employment readiness manager before moving for a resume tune up is strongly advised.

There are 90 postsecondary educational institutions within 48 miles of the U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal. Educational programs range from one-year certificates to doctorate and postdoctoral offerings. There are public, private, non-profit and private for-profit institutions. Local and state colleges offer various tuition assistance and student financial aid. Contact the financial aid departments on the college websites.

My Career Advancement Application

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

Unemployment benefits in Michigan are handled by the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Unemployment benefit amounts depend upon where work was performed. You can apply for unemployment benefits online at the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity website or by phone at 866-500-0017.

Most employment opportunities available to U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal family members are in Southfield, Troy, Sterling Heights, Auburn Hills and Detroit. The unemployment rate in Michigan is 22.7% and 21.6% in metro Detroit. The high unemployment rate is largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The average median household income for the state of Michigan is $48,432.