How to Apply for a Civilian Job at an Army Post

Civilians are eligible to apply for employment at Army posts worldwide. This includes spouses of military members, retirees, and civilians living near Army posts who believe they qualify for position openings. The Civilian Personnel Office assigns qualifications, such as veterans preference and employment eligibility, which leads to a tentative job offer to the most qualified applicant. If the CPO is not able to verify items like appointment eligibility or veterans preference, the applicant will not receive a job offer.

Things You'll Need

• Resume

Instructions

1. Find the Army post closest to you. The U.S. Army maintains a post locator website, listing the locations of all posts located within the United States, as well as a list of Army posts located in different countries. (See Resources.)

2. Visit the website of the Army post where you want to apply. Fort Leonard Wood's website gives detailed instructions for civilians to follow as they file an employment application and nominate themselves for a position.

3. Follow the instructions to build or upload your resume. Continue by looking for appropriated fund positions. Follow the directions for each job listing----each listing shows a time frame for applicants to nominate themselves----for your application package to be considered.

4. Visit the Civilian Personnel Office (CPOL) website and read the answers to each question link ("What jobs are available?") Find detailed instructions for monitoring the status of your application. This process is available only for appropriated fund positions, according to the CPOL website.

5. Apply for employment if you are a military spouse. The Army gives preference to spouses of soldiers, according to the CPOL website. Since you will move frequently, depending on the needs of the Army, this may help you to build up experience in your chosen field. Although you have military spouse preference, this does not guarantee you will receive a job offer, according to the CPOL website, Military Spouse Preference page.

6. Follow instructions for applying for a non-appropriated fund (NAF) position. This process differs from that used for applying for appropriated fund positions. Applicants for NAF positions in NF-3 pay grades or below follow instructions for applying for individual positions, according to the Fort Stewart Human Resources website.

7. Submit your NAF application by hand carrying it to the Human Resources office on-post, You have the option of emailing your employment application to the Human Resources office where your family is stationed or you can mail or fax your application, according to the Fort Stewart Human Resources website.

Tips & Warnings

• Non-appropriated fund positions are concentrated in the Morale, Welfare and Recreational activities provided for soldiers, family members, military retirees, civilians and their families, according to the Civilian Human Resources Agency website.

• Appropriated fund positions are those U.S. Federal Civil Service positions (administrative, professional, clerical, technical and trades).

References

• Army Civilian Personnel Office: Employment
• Fort Leonard Wood: How to Apply: Appropriated Positions
• Team Stewart: Fort Stewart Human Resources ---- Employment Opportunities

Resources

• Go Army: About the Army: Post Locations
• Civilian Human Resources Agency: Determine What Announcements You Can Apply For