Careers

Why look for just another job, when you can embark upon a whole new career? Learn about the latest developments in careers for military spouses. With your mobile lifestyle, there are certain portable careers that can offer you and your family stability and future growth. If you have any topics that you would like to see us write about, feel free to email the editor: info@salutetospouses.com
MWR Jobs – Where to find them, how to get one

Working for the Morale, Welfare and Recreation office on your installation not only pays the bills but can also be a great way to become familiar with your new hometown and meet new friends.  However nabbing at job with MWR can seem confusing and unreachable if you don’t know exactly where to look.

Debbie Gaydos, Employment Readiness Program Manager at Fort Rucker’s ACS (Army Community Service) has years of experience working on Army posts around the world. She currently spends her days helping military spouses prep and search for employment.

Spouses searching for MWR jobs first need to understand how the jobs are posted. There are two types MWR employees: GS (Government Service) and NAF (Non-Appropriated Funds).

All MWR jobs can be found on www.usajobs.gov. Gaydos urges potential employees to read the job description carefully.

“Read every inch of it. Print it, highlight it or link it,” Gaydos said. “The words within the duties and qualifications are the key.”

The key, Gaydos explained, is correlating your resume to exactly match the words in the job description. For example, if the duties say, ‘types 40 words per minute,’ those exact words should appear in your resume. Otherwise, your resume will never be pulled during the first round of considered candidates.  

MWR jobs stretch across a huge range of specialties and experience requirements that include everything from issuing basketballs to visitors at the gym to positions in resource management. GS jobs generally require a four year degree while most NAF positions do not.

For both types of MWR jobs, spouses can take advantage of the “military spouse preference” program when they apply. Military spouses must have been married to their active duty member before they received orders to the installation and must provide a marriage certificate and orders to be considered. Even then, the preference program does not guarantee spouses a job.

 “This puts you in a priority status, but doesn’t’ necessarily guarantee you a position,” Gaydos said.

A spouse can also visit the GS office or NAF office to find information on MWR job openings.  Spouses can also stop by the Employee Readiness Center to get help starting a job search and building their resume.

Spouses who are employed in MWR jobs will want to carry all their employment-related paperwork with them to their next duty station to help their job search go smoother. Gaydos said permanent, full-time positions can often be portable from one base to the next. Though spouses are not guaranteed to have the same job at their next base, their previous experience can help them score a job quicker in the new location.

Finding a job on base can seem daunting, but by using online tips and the employment readiness resources on your installation you can easily navigate the process and be back at work faster than you think.

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