MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE PROGRAM
The Military Spouse
Preference (MSP) Program was implemented to increase employment opportunities
for spouses of members of the Armed Forces. The intent is to lessen
the career interruptions of spouses who relocate with their military
sponsors. Military spouse preference provides priority in the
employment selection process for military spouses who are relocating to
accompany their military sponsor on a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move to
an active duty assignment.
The Military Spouse Preference Program:
applies to spouses of active duty military members of the U.S. Armed Forces,
including the U.S. Coast Guard and full-time National Guard, who desire priority
consideration for positions at DoD activities in the U.S. and its territories
and possessions;
applies only within the commuting area of the permanent
duty station of the sponsor;
applies only if the spouse entered into the
marriage with the military sponsor prior to the reporting date to the new duty
assignment.
The Military Spouse Preference Program does not apply when
the sponsor is separating or retiring.
WHEN ARE MILITARY SPOUSE
PREFERENCE ELIGIBLES SUBJECT TO PRIORITY CONSIDERATION?
Spouse preference
applies when management wants to fill a position from a competitive list of
applicants. A spouse who is preference eligible and who is ranked
among the "best qualified" on a competitive list must be selected for the
position. However, preference does not mean that positions will be
created or made available especially for military spouses or that spouses will
be given any special appointing authority. Preference does not
provide any guarantee of employment.
Preference applies to DoD
appropriated fund positions at grades GS-15 and below (and equivalent wage grade
positions) in the competitive or excepted service. Preference also
applies to non-appropriated fund positions at grades UA-8 and
below. ). It is not applicable to employment with other
federal agencies.
Spouse preference does not apply when management
chooses to select from a list of noncompetitive candidates or from one of the
alternative recruitment sources. The alternative recruitment sources
include: appointment of a 30% disabled veteran; VRA appointment; transfer at the
same or lower grade, reassignment or change to lower grade; placement to correct
an EEO deficiency; placement of a handicapped individual; or placement of an
employee returning from an overseas tour of duty.
To request MSP, all
spouses must submit the following documents:
Application or resume;
Statement requesting MSP; and
Copy of military sponsor's PCS
orders.
NOTE: THIS WILL CHANGE ONCE RESUMIX FOR DEU IS IMPLEMENTED. A COPY OF
MILITARY SPONSOR'S PCS ORDERS WILL ONLY BE REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF
SELECTION.
Spouse preference may be exercised no more than one time per
permanent relocation of the military sponsor.
Non-Appropriated Fund
Instrumentalities (NAFI) are activities concerned with the morale, welfare, and
recreation aspects of the military community. NAF salaries are paid
from the locally generated proceeds of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation
activities and the exchange. NAF jobs are not Civil Service; they are
governed by the Department of Defense policies.
There are a number of
federal government agencies in and around San Diego California. They
include, but are not limited to Homeland Security, The Drug Enforcement
Administration, The Environmental Protection Agency, Internal Revenue, Social
Security Administration, The Department of Labor and Federal Bureau of
Investigations. Be aware that in many instances the requirement to
complete various tests for employment with the federal government, and some
positions may require a Security Clearance. The process for
employment can sometimes take up to six months to complete.