Spouses are encouraged to contact the Employment Readiness Program (ERP) at Army Community Service as soon as they know they will be relocating to West Point. If you want to be employed shortly after your arrival, your success will increase substantially if you begin the job search process prior to your arrival. The ERP can give you the most current information about employment in the area and can provide you with a full range of other career and employment related services to include access to the internet, job referrals, career coaching and testing, resume writing assistance, help with understanding Resumix and federal employment, seminars and workshops, MS - Office tutorials and much more.
Other contacts for employment on post include:
1. Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) Federal or Appropriated Fund Employment:
If you are a current DOD or DA employee or have worked overseas for the Federal Government for a period of at least twelve months, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE CIVILIAN PERSONNEL ADVISORY CENTER, CPAC, TO REGISTER IN THE PRIORITY PLACEMENT PROGRAM. Even if you register at your current installation, you must do so at West Point as well. Make sure you have proper documentation. You may register up to 30-days in advance of your PCS move.
If you do not have any prior federal service but would like to work for the federal government at West Point, you can access job openings at the CPAC, CPOC or OPM websites.
2. NAF:
Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) is another source of employment at West Point. These are jobs that should not be overlooked particularly if you are seeking employment on the installation. Information about NAF positions is also available on the CPAC website.
3. WEST POINT SCHOOLS (Pre-K through grade 8):
West Point Schools (West Point Elementary School and West Point Middle School) have a separate personnel office. If you are seeking a position with DODEA, you should contact WPS personnel. Positions at the school are not limited to teachers. Positions are categorized as Excepted Civil Service positions. Preference in hiring is given to military spouses. If you contact the personnel office, an application packet will be sent to you.
4. THE ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES, AOG:
The AOG is a private alumni organization and another source of employment at West Point.
5. HOTEL THAYER:
The Hotel Thayer, a private hotel, is also located on the grounds of West Point and is a potential source of employment for military spouses. Positions are consistent with those in the hotel and hospitality industry.
6. THE UNITED STATES MINT:
The U. S. Mint is also located at West Point. Many of the jobs at the Mint are wage grade, with some exceptions, and many are security or production related. The OF 612 is the usual application used for the Mint.
7. TEMP AGENCIES:
Employment and Temp Agencies may be another source of viable employment. For some listings, check the Employment sign post.
8. UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:
If you were working before your PCS move, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. You should call the local New York State Dept. of Labor. They will determine your eligibility if you were working in NY State. If your employment was elsewhere, they will forward your claim to that state for a determination. They are also a resource for helping you to find employment. They have several job banks containing listings of position vacancies in private industry in the local area.
CHECK LIST OF CONSIDERATIONS AS YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH AT WEST POINT.
1) If you are a current civil service employee at another post, installation or federal agency relocating to West Point, have you
* scheduled an exit interview with your Personnel Office?
* asked to be placed on LWOP status so that you can transfer into another federal job?
* registered at your current location for PPP if applicable?
* planned a meeting with personnel specialists at your new location to ascertain the steps needed to
register in Priority Placement?
* contacted ACS Employment Readiness Program for assistance and advice?
* obtained copies of your last SF 50 and performance appraisal?
* checked West Point CPAC web site to look at job announcements?
* printed out a copy of your updated Resumix?
* do you have a copy of your husband or wife's PCS orders?
2) If you were ever a civil service employee and are considering federal employment either at West Point or elsewhere, do you have
* copies of your last SF 50 and your last performance appraisal?
* an updated version of your OF 612, Federal Resume, or Resumix? If you wish to work for the Dept. of
Army at West Point you must submit a Resumix application online at the CPOC website.
3j) If you were also a veteran, do you
* have copies of your DD 214's?
* know that you may be eligible for a 5 or 10-point preference OR the Veteran's Recruitment Appointment
or VEOA?
* if eligible for compensable disability, do you have a recent letter verifying the disability from VA?
4) If you worked for the federal government overseas as a GS/WG employee, and wish to apply for a civil service position at your new duty station, do you have
* a completed version of your OF 612, or Federal Resume or Resumix?
* your last performance appraisal?
* copies of your most recent SF 50?
* a copy of your 1817?
* PCS orders documenting your OCONUS to CONUS move?
5). Have you also checked your employment portfolio to make sure your have
* a copy of your spouses PCS orders?
* proof of citizenship or legal residence if applicable?
* your marriage certificate?
* records containing information about your work history?
* college transcripts?
* work references (names, addresses, and phone numbers)?
* your resume, Resumix, federal resume?
* artwork, articles, designs, etc. pertaining to the type of job you may be applying for?
* certificates or licenses required for your profession?
* your drivers license?
6) If you are/were working but will have to or have quit due to you're spouses PCS move, have you
* filed for unemployment benefits?
REMEMBER! HAND CARRY IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS WITH YOU TO YOUR NEW HOME. IF THEY ARE PACKED WITH HOUSEHOLD GOODS, IT MAY DELAY YOUR JOB SEARCH.
A FINAL NOTE TO MILITARY SPOUSES:
The job market has changed and although unemployment in this region of New York State is low, averaging around 4.7%, the Hudson Valley is not home to many major corporations or businesses, and the type and level of position you are seeking may not exist here or may be in very short supply. Do your homework! Your best bet may be to repackage your skills to fit job availability. The more flexible you are about the job and the geographic location, the greater your chances are of finding employment.
Feel free to contact the Employment Readiness Program (email yj2600@usma.edu or phone 845-938-4621, DSN 688-4621) with any questions. The ERP does make direct job referrals, so forwarding your resume and establishing contact with the program can be helpful to you in your job search.