Employment

Good Prospects

Defense-contracted positions, federal service, teaching, nursing, minimum wage services, insurance and construction jobs are often available. Experienced clerical workers are in demand. The local sales, restaurant, and hospitality industries are also hiring.

Fair Prospects

Competitive positions in business exist. Positions in correctional facilities, telework and customer service call centers (some virtual opportunities) are increasing.

Local Economic Climate

Colorado Springs is known for its strong defense industry and military presence. Strength in private sector transportation, communications, a variety of work from home opportunities and technical professions is also evident among local job prospects.

Programs offered at the U.S. Air Force Academy Military and Family Readiness Center

We offer Basic Resume Writing (federal and civilian) classes, resume review, Personal Branding, LinkedIn, and Franchising among other workshops. Please call 719-333-3444 or DSN 312-333-3444 to reserve a seat. 

The Spouse Employment Program is available for active-duty military or retired service member's spouses to assist with finding employment. The Military Spouse Career Coalition is a group represented by local installations and community partners which meets monthly to plan, prepare and assist military spouses with career planning goals.

Planning Ahead

If you are inbound to the USAF Academy, call ahead and register for services. Call 719-333-3444 to learn more about the military spouse employment assistance contact listing and receive information on employment opportunities, hiring events, networking, classes, introductions to community employment partners and more ahead of your arrival.

To find vacancies in the federal system, visit the following websites:

• Air Force Civilian Careers
• USAJOBS

You can search for jobs by city or state and also post your resume. Vacancies will link you automatically to the respective federal agency site so you can print the duties and qualification portion of the position.

NOTE: More than 240 federal agencies exist including, for example, federal executive, legislative and judicial branches.

Military spouses who will be seeking employment should hand carry the following items rather than include them in your household goods shipment:

• Resumes and official transcripts
• Department of the Army Form 5433-R (Verification of Overseas Employment for Noncompetitive Appointment Under EO12721 and Executive Order)
• Copy of DOD Civilian Leave and Earnings Statement
• Copy of spouse's orders
• Standard Form 50 (Notification of Personnel Action Supporting Leave Without Pay). 

The Transition Assistance Program provides one-on-one initial and groupt pre-separation counseling; the week-long Transition Goals, Plan, Success seminar; and Capstone all of which are mandatory for retiring or separating military members. Included within TAP as well are additional transition- and employment-related workshops. By law, all transitioning military personnel, to include prior enlisted cadets or cadets undergoing a medical evaluation board, are required to complete initial counseling and a pre-separation briefing no less than 365 days prior to leaving active duty. Transition GPS is open to spouses and Department of Defense civilians on a space-available basis. Class size may be limited.

My Career Advancement Account Scholarship

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

For information on the Air Force Spouse Relicensing/Recertification Reimbursement Program, please call the Spouse Employment Coordinator at 719-333-3444. 

Unemployment compensation may be available for the spouse of a newly assigned military member or civilian employee. For more information, contact the Colorado Department of Labor and Workforce. There may be a longer wait to apply and to receive benefits.

Unemployment Insurance: File your claim online at the CareerOneStop website or call 800-388-5515. Claim questions can be directed to representatives by calling 800-999-9933. 

Have the following information ready when you file or make your call:

• Social security number or, if not a citizen, your alien permit number
• Last employer’s name, address and date employed
• If you worked outside of Colorado, you need names, addresses and dates employed for all employer you worked for over the past 18 months.
• If you were in the military, or worked for the federal government, please have such forms as DD-214, SF-8 and SF-50 ready for the call.

If filing for unemployment, you must be registered at the Connecting Colorado website.

The employment prospect in the Colorado Springs area is good to very good, with most industries hiring. In 2023 the unemployment rate was 3.3%. Persons with IT, technical, nursing and medical, clerical and office skills, computer skills and retail experience should find work with little to no problem. The median household income for Colorado Springs in 2022 was $79,026 (the latest figures available). The median household income is $10,276 lowerer than the median Colorado household income and $4,446 greater than the US median household income.