Employment

Information for the Job Seeker

The process of seeking and obtaining employment in Brussels is very similar to the process anywhere, but job availability is more limited. As a U.S. citizen, finding employment in Brussels could be difficult but opportunities do exist. Because of status of forces agreements, working in the local economy requires a work permit from the host nation and U.S. personnel can lose their SOFA status when not in compliance with the SOFA agreement. Therefore, most people rely on the U.S. government as an employer. This type of employment for spouses and family members is not as plentiful in Brussels as in the larger commands in Germany.

Getting Started:

Flexibility – Keep your options open by being flexible on position levels and employment opportunities. Limited opportunities exist with federal, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Army and Air Force Exchange Service and contract positions.

Category/Status – Know your employment category and preference status. Use your military spouse preference wisely, as it utilized once per permanent change of station move. More information is located on the Office of Personnel Management website or through your employment program manager.

Persistence – Trying for a few weeks then waiting for something to happen is not going to get it done. The employment process is a crawl, walk, run process and requires continued momentum. Visit the Benelux Army Community Service Employment Opportunities webpage for assistance in your job search.

Paperwork/Documents

Organize and maintain originals and hand carry these important documents:

Past resumes, applications and letters of references

Background check information with complete names, addresses and phone numbers

Social Security card (original card)

Birth certificate

College transcripts

DD 214 military paper work

SF-15 and Veterans' Recruitment Appointment info

Sponsor’s orders

Leave without pay documents

Contact the ACS Employment Readiness Program Manager to find out how to apply for employment in the Brussels area.

Employment Transition Services are available to all military members, their spouses and U.S. civilian employees.

Services include the following:

• Career exploration
• Work values, interests and aptitudes inventories
• Networking
• Federal resumes/application packets
• Effective job search strategies and weekly lists of local federal and contract jobs
• Successful interviews
• Reviewing job offers

Spouses Scholarship Program (http://www.aerhq.org is a financial aid program managed by the Army Emergency Relief. It applies to dependent spouses and children of active-duty soldiers stationed in the Benelux. To pick up an application package, stop by the local Education Center or contact the Brussels Employment Readiness Program manager. You may also fill out an application online. (https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/scholarships/spouse/)

My Career Advancement Application: For information on MyCAA and Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities visit Military OneSource. (https://www.militaryonesource.mil/education-employment/for-service-members.)

Because of Status of Forces Agreements with the Kingdoms of Belgium and the Netherlands, working on the local economy (including running a home-based business of any kind,) requires a work permit. U.S. personnel who work on the economy will forfeit the ability to hold a Protocol ID and will need to obtain a Regular Citizen ID (does not mean citizenship,) and will forever lose their eligibility for U.S. DOD employment in these countries.

Job Search/Transition/Scholarship/Counseling

Please visit the Benelux Employment Readiness Program webpage(https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/) for assistance in job search, transition assistance scholarships, education and career counseling and job fair information. Army Community Service offers many employment workshops ranging from resume writing to how to dress for success to job search skills and interview tips and techniques. Additionally, ACS offers a Ten Steps for Federal Employment workshop. This is the catalyst to landing that federal job. Furthermore, ACS also offers the Virtual Career Library, an online resource filled with career guidance and employment services. Military spouses and who would like to work from home may find telework opportunities through Military OneSource and Spouse Education and Career Opportunities . https://www.militaryonesource.mil

Student Employment

Opportunities for teens to work in the Benelux are limited. Budget permitting, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux-Brussels and the U.S. Embassy offer a summer hire program that runs for eight weeks. Students ages 14-23 are eligible to apply. Note: The embassy summer hire program is limited to children of embassy employees and military whose positions support the Chief of Mission. Summer hire programs give priority to college students and high school graduates. Students ages 16 and older may apply with an age waiver for jobs at the CYS/CDC. Dependents age 18 and older are eligible to apply for work with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.